By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
French star Nicolas Batum is going to be a free agent this summer, the absence of a contract may force him to miss the upcoming pre-Olympic tournament with the French national team, however Charlotte wants to keep him and do it as soon as possible.
As USA Today is reporting, much of the Hornets future could be predicated on what happens with unrestricted free agent Nicolas Batum, whom coach Steve Clifford acknowledged will be the team’s No. 1 priority in free agency
When asked if he wants to return next year, Batum said, “Why not?,” saying this past season was one of the most enjoyable of his eight-year NBA career. He liked the freedom Clifford gave him and the idea of being one of first two options on offense.
“I want to talk to (the Hornets) first, for sure,” Batum said of free agency. “July 1 will be a crazy day, but will Charlotte be my first call? Yes.”
However, Batum indicated he only wants to return if the Hornets make an effort to bring back the nucleus of this year’s team.