The Toronto Raptors could be a destination for Nicolas Batum when he becomes a free-agent next summer or maybe not. The French swingman addressed the rumors linking him to a potential jump north of the border by posting tweets showing fealty to the team that traded for him this offseason.
Batum, who was acquired by the Charlotte Hornets in a trade with the rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers early this off-season, posted a not so cryptic pictures which would easily squash the rumors surrounding his impending free-agency next summer.
In his latest blog entry on Grantland, NBA writer Zach Lowe said he was told that Batum is already eyeing a stint in Toronto, who international appeals could play out as a big factor.
"Batum is an impending unrestricted free agent on a borderline playoff team, diving into an unprecedented cap frenzy in which two-dozen suitors could offer $20 million per season," according to Grantland writer.
"Batum's people have already made noise about how much Batum would like to play in Toronto, a city that appeals to his international roots, per several league sources. He is a flight risk, even though both Cho and Chad Buchanan, the team's assistant GM, know Batum well from their days in Portland."
After averaging 9.4 points, 4.8 assists and 5.9 rebounds in 33 minutes per game with the Blazers last season (the lowest since his rookie season), the 26-year old Batum has an opportunity to re-ignite his career with the playoff-hungry Hornets this offseason.
The Hornets, looking to bounce back from their failed experiment with Lance Stephenson, added more scoring punch to their roster by bringing in Batum, Jeremy Lamb and Spencer Hawes through trade and Jeremy Lin via free-agency signings. They also drafted floor-spacing big man Frank Kaminsky (no.9 overall pick) to give them more option in offense after finishing the 2014-15 season with the second worst offense in the league at 94.2 points allowed per game.