Woj - Hornets finalizing 4 year/$52 million extension to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

[Legends66NBA7]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources...145106375.html

Charlotte Hornets*forward*Michael Kidd-Gilchrist*is finalizing a four-year, $52 million contract extension, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The agreement will be finalized this week with a news conference to follow, league sources said.

As a member of the 2012 NBA draft class, Kidd-Gilchrist is eligible for a rookie extension prior to the start of the 2015-16 season.

Kidd-Gilchrist, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, has developed into a cornerstone player for the Hornets at small forward. With the extension, the Hornets and Kidd-Gilchrist will avoid him becoming a restricted free agent next summer.

Kidd-Gilchrist, 21, has dramatically improved his offensive game with a recreated jump shot. Already, he was one of coach Steve Clifford's most important defensive players. Kidd-Gilchrist averaged 10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds for Charlotte last season, his third in the league.

[KnittingRyu]

Seems like a great deal compared to the other signings this summer.

[bdreason]

He started to put it together last season before he got hurt. The team was noticeably better with MKG on the court, despite his lack of offense.

[LoneyROY7]

Beast.

[outbreak]

Beast.

He fixed his jump shot last year but that shit was hilarious. He'd end up with his body facing away from the ring on some jumpers.

[senelcoolidge]

He won't live up to being the #2 pick. Serviceable player. Can a play some defense, that's it. Get's hurt a lot. Struggles offensively.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

iirc the numbers with him on the court vs off were staggering. Should be interesting how he and Batum fit.

[SwishSquared]

iirc the numbers with him on the court vs off were staggering. Should be interesting how he and Batum fit.

I think we'll see more small ball units in order to try to spread the floor more. I don't think Kemba-MKG-Batum-Williams-Jefferson is a great unit on either side of the floor. MKG is a defender who really makes an impact. I don't think he's played great as a smallball 4 in the past, but who knows what'll happen.

Overall, I think this is very fair for the Hornets. I think MKG could have held out for more, honestly. Maybe he has a 3rd-year player option, though. That option seemed to affect the annual salary of the J-Val extension.

[rufuspaul]

I think we'll see more small ball units in order to try to spread the floor more. I don't think Kemba-MKG-Batum-Williams-Jefferson is a great unit on either side of the floor. MKG is a defender who really makes an impact. I don't think he's played great as a smallball 4 in the past, but who knows what'll happen.

Overall, I think this is very fair for the Hornets. I think MKG could have held out for more, honestly. Maybe he has a 3rd-year player option, though. That option seemed to affect the annual salary of the J-Val extension.

He does. MKG has improved steadily and has a great work ethic. His value to the team is already high and he's only 21. Smart to get him extended before the real mad money hits free agency.

[Uncle Drew]

The only player to jump whilst taking free throws.

[Dbrog]

2nd pick almost always ends up letting people down. Still though, MKG is a steal at that price. He may max out as prime Crash, but that is still pretty damn good and definitely a starter on a decent team.

[Wavves]

Fantastic deal for a solid player with a lot of room to grow still. Dude is still only 21.