Predicting where the top NBA Free Agents Sign
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/predicting-where-the-top-nba-free-agents-will-sign/ar-AAhJMjW?li=BBgET5V&ocid=spartanntp#page=7
7. Nicolas Batum
© Bob Leverone/AP Photo Charlotte Hornets' Nicolas Batum (5) prepares to dunk as he beats a host of Washington Wizards to the basket on Feb. 6 in Charlotte. Hornets won 108-104. After a breakout season in Charlotte, former Hornets forward Nicolas Batum now finds himself as a hot commodity. Outside of Kevin Durant, Batum is next best small forward on the open market and will have no shortage of contract offers.
The Hornets would love to re-sign the French-born wing player, but the general feeling across the NBA is that Batum will leave Charlotte. The Rockets, Wizards, Knicks, Lakers and Warriors are in the running for Batum, and it’s hard to say if any of those teams can be called a favorite to sign the 27-year-old. The Wizards, who are desperate for a new forward, seem the most likely to offer Batum a max contract, but if the Warriors miss out on Kevin Durant, a cross-country move to the Bay Area would seem plausible. Much will change in the coming days, but for now, we’ll just follow the money.
PREDICTION: Nicolas Batum signs with the Wizards for the max.