Report: Charlotte Hornets ‘Desperate’ to Move Nicolas Batum

The Charlotte Hornets have been active in weighing their trade options as the NBA Trade Deadline approaches on Feb. 7. As Sean Deveney of Sporting News reports, the team is willing to part with upcoming restricted free agent Frank Kaminsky, preferably if paired with another big contract; enter former Portland Trail Blazers forward and current Hornet Nicolas Batum:

Teams have expressed interest, including some contenders, but the Hornets would most prefer to put the money remaining on Kaminsky’s $3.6 million deal with another big salary. Charlotte, according to league sources, is desperate to get out of the two years and $52 million remaining on Nicolas Batum’s salary, and at least one team was told that Kaminsky could be had if Batum were included.

Batum has averaged 13.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists over his 3.5 seasons with the Hornets thus far, but his numbers this year have dipped slightly to 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

You can read more from Deveney here.