Reports: Hornets, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist agree to extension

The Charlotte Hornets and small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist have reportedly agreed to a contract extension.

The Charlotte Hornets and small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist have agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract extension, ​Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observerreports. Steve Reed of the Associated Pressconfirmed the agreement. Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the two sides were close to finalizing a deal. 

Kidd-Gilchrist, who turns 22 just before the start of next season, was the second pick in the 2012 draft. In three seasons with Charlotte, he has averaged 9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while earning a reputation as one of the NBA’s best wing defenders. 

Injuries limited Kidd-Gilchrist to 55 games last season but he had the best offensive season of his career, averaging 10.9 points per game. His overall shooting percentage was slightly lower than the career-high he set in 2013–14, but he made a higher percentage of his jump shots. 

Kidd-Gilchrist had one year remaining on the rookie deal he signed in 2012. 

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