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NBA Free Agency: Nicolas Batum will meet with Dallas Mavericks

By John Buhler

Mar 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Charlotte Hornets won 100-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Charlotte Hornets won 100-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Charlotte Hornets small forward Nicolas Batum will reportedly meet with the Dallas Mavericks in 2016 NBA free agency after a strong year in 2015-16.

According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, “Charlotte Hornets small forward Nicolas Batum is expected to meet with the Dallas Mavericks in free agency.”

Batum is coming off a great bounce-back year with the 2015-16 Hornets where he was at times the best player on the Charlotte basketball team. He had been a key piece in the Portland Trail Blazers’ turnaround under head coach Terry Stotts, but injuries led Batum to have a miserable least year with the 2014-15 Trail Blazers.

Outside of Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Harrison Barnes of the Golden State Warriors, Batum might be the best available small forward option on the 2016 NBA free agency market.

Dallas is clearly looking to fill the void left by former starting small forward Chandler Parsons, who opted out of his deal in Dallas to become a free agent this summer. Parsons is expected to sign elsewhere and maybe Mavericks owner Mark Cuban can get Batum to sign with Dallas.

Besides getting a maximum contract and playing for a top five coach in the NBA in Rick Carlisle, one thing that Dallas can offer Batum is the opportunity to play alongside former Portland teammate in shooting guard Wesley Matthews. Batum and Matthews played crucial roles in the Trail Blazers’ starting five for years.

However, it seems that Charlotte is going to do everything in its power to bring Batum back into the fold. With his smooth stroke from three and his ability to be a great compliment with starting point guard Kemba Walker, the 2015-16 Hornets were able to make the Eastern Conference Playoffs and play a competitive first round series with the Miami Heat.

Dallas may covet Batum and should be happy to at least get a meeting with him in 2016 NBA free agency. It will be awfully hard to get him to leave a good situation in Charlotte.

For more NBA free agency news, please check out our NBA free agency category page.

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