Nicolas Batum

The Charlotte Hornets have waived veteran SG Nicolas Batum to create cap space for the signing of free agent F Gordon Hayward, per Adrian Wojnarowski.

Fantasy Impact

Batum was seldom used during the 2019-2020 season, averaging 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 22 games for the Hornets. Charlotte plans to utilize the league's stretch provision to accommodate the signing of star F Gordon Hayward. Batum will hit free agency and look to make an impact for another team this offseason.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Hornets' G/F Nicolas Batum has decided to exercise his $27.13 million player option for the 2020-2021 season.

Fantasy Impact

Widely regarded as one of the worst contracts in the league, this was an easy decision for Batum as there was no chance he would gave garnered this kind of money in free agency. The 31-year-old vet will now return to Charlotte for the 2020-2021 season after mustering up career-low marks of 3.6 points on 34.6 percent shooting in only 22 games during the 2019-2020 campaign.

Nic Batum didn’t see the court in Tuesday’s 125-110 loss to the Rockets.

Fantasy Impact

Batum has failed to log any minutes over the Hornets’ last four games, and his absence has coincided with quality play from both Miles Bridges and Willy Hernangomez. Batum is unlikely to provide much fantasy value the rest of the way.

Nicolas Batum managed five points (1-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds and five assists across 34 minutes in Friday's 116-103 loss to the Bucks.

Fantasy Impact

Batum, whose home country is France, drew the start in Friday's game against the Bucks. Despite drawing the start in his home country, Batum struggled to get anything going. He is not part of the team's long-term plans, and this one-game appears just to have been a nice opportunity for Batum to get some run in Paris. He is a deep-league stash at this point, and should not be owned in standard leagues. The Hornets next scheduled game is Tuesday, away against the Knicks.

In Wednesday's 100-86 loss to the Nuggets, Nicolas Batum scored zero points (0-4 FG, 0-2 3PT), grabbed seven boards, and dished out seven assists in 21 minutes on the floor.

Fantasy Impact

Coming off of the bench for the Hornets, Batum didn't score a single point in his latest contest despite ending up with a decent number or rebounds and assists. He's still not worth an add in any fantasy league.