Hornets sign Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to contract extension

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to a contract extension. According to multiple reports, the extension is a four-year, $52 million deal.

“Michael is a huge part of what we are trying to build here in Charlotte,” Cho said. “He has dedicated himself to improving and expanding his game. Michael continues to develop on both ends of the court and has become a key piece of our team. We are thrilled that he is a Charlotte Hornet.”

The fourth-year small forward has played the first three seasons of his career in Charlotte after being selected with the second overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. In 2014-15, Kidd-Gilchrist averaged a career-best 10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds in 28.9 minutes over the course of 55 games played (52 starts). His 7.6 rebounds per game ranked first among all small forwards in the NBA. Last season, he registered career highs of 12 double-doubles and 35 double-figure scoring games after totaling one and 14, respectively, the previous season. The University of Kentucky product holds career averages of 9.0 points and 6.1 rebounds in 26.2 minutes per game in 195 career appearances (192 starts) in three seasons in the NBA.

During the 2014-15 campaign, Kidd-Gilchrist posted a net differential of +10.8 points per 100 possessions, the largest differential of any Hornets player (Charlotte was +3.1 with him on the court as opposed to -7.7 with him off the court). His contributions are not limited to the defensive side of the ball, as the Hornets scored 2.7 more points per game with him in the lineup and Kidd-Gilchrist improved his field goal percentage from eight feet from the basket and further by 11.5 percentage points as compared to his first two seasons (.280 from 2012-14 compared to .395 in 2014-15). In the last two seasons under Head Coach Steve Clifford, Kidd-Gilchrist has been an essential component to Charlotte’s success. The team has posted a 62-55 record (.530) with him in the lineup as opposed to a 14-33 record (.298) when he has been unable to play. As a rookie, he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in November 2012 and was named to the 2013 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

“I want to thank Hornets ownership, Rich, Chad, Coach Clifford and the entire organization,” said Kidd-Gilchrist. “I’m excited to continue my career in Charlotte and be a part of the Hornets organization moving forward. I can’t wait to get out on the court with my teammates for this upcoming season.”

Author: Inside Hoops

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