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NBA Free Agency: One move every team needs to make

By Tom West

Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) watches from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) watches from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 11, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) prepares to pass as he is defended by New York Knicks guard Landston Galloway (2) during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) prepares to pass as he is defended by New York Knicks guard Landston Galloway (2) during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Charlotte Hornets: Re-sign Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum was a great acquisition for the Hornets last summer. He averaged career-highs in points (14.9) and assists (5.8) per game, served as a talented facilitator from the wing to support Kemba Walker offensively and become one of their top wing defenders at the other end of the floor.

Of course, the Hornets don’t want to lose him as they’re forced to deal with Al Jefferson, Marvin Williams, Courtney Lee and Jeremy Lin all hitting free agency, too.

“We hope to meet with him [Batum] as soon as free agency starts,” Hornets GM Rich Cho said to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. “Our goal is to get something done with him,” as he reiterated Batum being the top priority.

However, despite the mutual interest that has been reported between Batum and the Hornets, he’s being pursued by the worst team possible for Charlotte in terms of a superior threat who offer a chance at a championship: the Warriors. Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group reported the interest:

"Free agents Nicolas Batum and Evan Turner are among the players being considered at small forward, per sources, if the Warriors don’t get Kevin Durant. Which means the Warriors will be taking a long, hard look at if they can do better than Harrison Barnes."

As a more proven scorer and superior passer, Batum offers more than Barnes. It’s interesting to hear that the Warriors have such notable plan B options, rather than simply taking a swing at Durant and if they fail to sign him, they can re-sign Barnes and nothing is lost.

This does add concern for the Hornets, though. Not only is their salary cap situation tough enough, but Batum is their best player hitting the market and the competition to sign him could end up being incredibly high when Durant falls out of reach for everyone.

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