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NBA Rumor Central: Nicolas Batum set to re-sign with Hornets?

Nicolas Batum averaged a career-high 14.9 points for the Hornets this season. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

Nicolas Batum helped the Charlotte Hornets return to the NBA playoffs this season, where they dropped a hard-fought, seven-game series to the Miami Heat.

A report on the FIBA.com website states the 27-year-old Frenchman, an unrestricted free agent, will re-sign with Charlotte in a time frame that will also benefit France's national team in advance of August's Rio Olympics:

"It is understood that the French player and the Hornets will quickly agree terms on a new deal and that could give France enough time to obtain insurance for Batum and allow him to take part in some of the OQT games."

The eight-year NBA small forward averaged a career-high 14.9 points in 35.0 minutes for the Hornets starting 70 games. Last summer, Batum was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers for power forward Noah Vonleh and shooting guard Gerald Henderson. He was one of four Portland starters who left then via trade or free agency.

France will face the Philippines and New Zealand in group competition and might take on Canada, Senegal or Turkey in knockout play.