Hornets sign Kidd-Gilchrist to $52M extension

[Andrew]

AP Source: Hornets sign Kidd-Gilchrist to $52M extension

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract extension with the Charlotte Hornets, a person familiar with the situation said Monday.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move hasn't been announced.

Yahoo Sports was first to report the deal.

The 6-foot-7, 232-pound Kidd-Gilchrist is known primarily for his defense but increased his offensive output last season. He averaged a career-high 10.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists, although he was limited to 55 games due to injuries. He shot 46.5 percent from the field.

Kidd-Gilchrist, 21, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, taken one spot behind his former Kentucky teammate Anthony Davis.

I guess there may still be some untapped potential there, and he's a pretty good rebounder for a small forward, but...that's an awful lot for a player who still has a lot to prove, especially when compared to his former college teammate.

[Bruce]

which college teammate is that? Doron Lamb? lol

I think we're still not used to the new pay scale of the NBA yet. While it is true that Anthony Davis is a far superior player and leagues ahead of Kidd-Gilchrist, when I look at MKG's co-2012 draftee Draymond Green getting $80M for 5 years while producing what I think is similar numbers/PER and also a combo forward, I think the Hornets just took a gamble rather than have MKC just walk. Comparatively, GFs Khris Middleton and Alec Burks from 2011 who are producing better scoring-wise but less PER are getting paid almost the same or better.

[Andrew]

That's a good point. Some players seem grossly overpaid by the standards we're used to, but perhaps not so much going forward. All the same, even with the changing times, I think some of them - MKG included - are at least a little overpaid. If nothing else, he's getting the big post-rookie contract extension before it's a sure thing that he's a player they should be keeping around.

[mp3]

He is quietly one of the leagues best defenders and hustle guys, sure people will say he hasn't lived up to his high draft pick but he's still very young and if his offence picks up this season then MKG is well worth the money imo

[NovU]

This was the case for Aminu and Portland as well. Young guys with upside gets their money. But still... that seems like a lot of money for a guy with serious flaw(shooting). I guess at least they got Jeremy Lin from bargain bin to offset this signing.



On the lighter side, the shitty inflation in our economy is hitting us again. You could barely get 2 bed apartment in my city at $1 mil, forget single home. Yet stock market's crashing. fuu, perhaps I'm feeling this inflation from NBA signing as well. Bunch of nobodies are getting star money.

[Lamrock]

Given that $13M is the new $8M, this will be a serious bargain if he learns to shoot. He is one of the best defensive players in the league and can crash the boards.

[[Q]]

Better for the teams to sign them now than later when the prices go up