Nicolas Batum, Charlotte Hornets agree on five-year deal

"Pro Court Report" Staff Report

Forward Nicolas Batum on Friday agreed to a five-year, $120 million deal to re-sign with the Charlotte Hornets.

Batum averaged career highs in points (14.9) and assists (5.8) and also grabbed 6.1 rebounds a game for the surprising Hornets, who won 48 games before losing to Miami in seven games in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Batum had scheduled a Friday meeting with the Dallas Mavericks, but signed a few hours into 2016 free agency with the Hornets.

Hornets' Nicolas Batum to miss Game 4 against Heat with foot injury

"Pro Court Report" Staff Report

CHARLOTTE, NC - Charlotte Hornets small forward Nicolas Batum will miss his second straight game of the Hornets' first-round series against the Miami Heat with a left foot strain.

Batum injured his foot in the fourth quarter of Game 2 at Miami.

"That's just NBA basketball," Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said. "I think our guys are good. We've had more than our share of injuries all year and they've had the right attitude. In this league, you get up in the morning, you say, 'Who's good to play today?' and you play the best you can with that team.

"Obviously we proved we have more than enough to win. We'll have to play well. We wish we had him. But the biggest thing is to play well. We have to be locked in."

The Heat lead the series 2-1.