What are the options if Batum’s injury pattern continues?
Nic Batum has chronic tendinitis in his left Achilles. While that malady isn’t serious by itself, it’s the fourth different injury that has sidelined him this season.
Batum’s UCL injury, suffered last October (photo, Sportsnet)
In October, Batum suffered an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear. While Batum came back from that injury, he was in obvious discomfort.
So is Nic Batum falling apart at the seams?
While we know that a pattern of injuries has altered other players’ careers–Andrew Bogut and Chandler Parsons come to mind–Batum hasn’t experienced a catastrophic injury.
Still, though, Batum has had more injuries than the average NBA player. Since 2016, Batum has had 11 different injuries that have caused him to miss games.
What are the options if this injury pattern continues?
The Hornets can’t buy out Batum’s contract because that would result in millions of dollars of dead money on the team’s payroll. They can’t trade him, either. They’ve tried that tact repeatedly and found that other teams aren’t interested because of the nature of Batum’s contract.
It means the Hornets are stuck with a once-solid player–the highest paid player on the team, I might add–who isn’t putting up the numbers he once did.
Charlotte’s new GM, whomever that may be, will need to figure out what to do about Batum. It’s no small matter, either. The Hornet’s future is at stake.
