National Basketball Association

Nicolas Batum Reveals Why He Re-Signed With the Charlotte Hornets

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Nicolas Batum‘s re-signing with the Charlotte Hornets this summer was a big deal and now the French player has revealed what led him to return.

In a recent interview with Zach Lowe of ESPN, Nicolas Batum revealed why he re-signed with the Charlotte Hornets. When free agency began this past summer, there were a number of teams interested in Nic but he decided to return to the Queen City. The team went above and beyond to secure his signature this offseason.

On the Lowe Post podcast, Batum discussed a number of topics ranging from fatherhood to the team’s aspirations for the 2016-17 season. An interesting note was that Nicolas named Marvin Williams the best teammate he’s ever had. He also talked about his past and much more.

Batum was acquired by Charlotte last year before the season started. He was in the last year of his contract and would be a free agent at season’s end. The Hornets took a chance and hoped Nic would return. They did everything possible to get the 27-year old to re-sign.

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After a career year, the France international re-signed with the team. The mega-deal was a five-year, $120 million contract. He became Charlotte’s highest-paid player. Nic shared some of the intimate things that happened behind closed doors that led to his return to the Hornets.

At the two minute mark, Batum first noted that Rich Cho, the team president, Kemba Walker, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist were there to meet with him in Dallas, Texas. Micahel Jordan was on the phone to talk to Nic as well. He said that “Kemba talked first what he means to the team and to him and why he can’t leave the team. got so much better since he got there.”

He said that “Kemba talked first about what I mean to the team, what I mean to him, and why I can bring to this team and I can’t leave the team. They got so much better once I got there.”

One of the more interesting things that Nicolas said was about what the Hornets’ organization went out of their way to do.

He said the team showed him a video from his hometown in France. Apparently, Rich Cho went to his hometown in France and went to the gym where he played as a kid. They interviewed former coaches and close people from Nic’s past and they said why he needs to stay in Charlotte. The biggest point was that he seems happy since he came to Charlotte. They also said the Hornets were a good fit for Batum because he can lead alongside Kemba.

Zach Lowe did a great job, as always, and Nic shared plenty of his thoughts. Give it a listen to hear everything. It speaks volumes that the Charlotte Hornets went to these lengths to re-sign Batum. Good for both sides that they came to an agreement for him to return.

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