NBA salary cap exercise: What player would every team amnesty?
By Corey Rausch
Charlotte Hornets – Nicolas Batum
Similar to how we treated the Bulls, this one is also contingent on the player picking up his player option for next season. Nic Batum has a player option for $27.1 million next year so I feel safe assuming that. Somehow the Hornets are paying $124 million this season to finish 10th in the East. Something has got to give.
Most of this money will fall off after this season as Bismack Biyombo’s contract ($17 million) will expire and the dead money associated with Marvin Williams ($15 million) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ($13 million) disappear. After that only three players on the roster will make over $6 million per season. Cody Zeller at $15.4 million is less than ideal but as an expiring contract is not the end of the world. Terry Rozier will still have two years remaining on his 3-year $56.7 million contract but the amounts are descending and he has been most productive.
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This leaves Batum and his mammoth final season. He has gotten worse every year since signing in Charlotte. This season he only appeared in 22 games and averaged 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Batum is no longer a staunch defender and his shooting has crashed and burned to a putrid 28.6 percent from long range.
Beyond even the money, Batum is just not a part of the future for the Hornets. As they continue their never-ending rebuild their prospects at forward are somewhat promising. Miles Bridges took a nice step forward this season after what he called a disappointing rookie campaign. P.J. Washington, the team’s first-round selection in the 2019 Draft, showed flashes this season of two-way potential and shot an above-average 37.4 percent from deep. Even the Martin twins deserve a further look. This move works best for both sides and the sooner the Hornets can be rid of Batum’s contract the better.