Charlotte Hornets, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist agree to $52M deal

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets.

The deal keeps what owner and team president Michael Jordan called a core player in the fold along with point guard Kemba Walker, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract in 2014.

MKG's deal is the third done under the rookie-scale extension rules. The New Orleans Pelicans locked up 2012 No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis, the highest-paid player in NBA history, with a five-year, $145 million. Portland's Damian Lillaird signed a 5-year, $120 million contract that could approach $140 million with incentives and the Toronto Raptors signed Jonas Valanciunas to a four-year, $64 million contract last week.

Kidd-Gilchrist averaged 13.4 points and 9.4 rebounds last season but his offensive game is limited by below-average shooting range. He brings a strong defensive presence and said he spent much of the summer working on his perimeter shot with assistant coach Mark Price.