Hornets' Nicolas Batum: Shoots 3-for-11 in Thursday's preseason loss

Batum recorded eight points (3-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt), two assists, one rebound and one steal across 23 minutes in Thursday's 107-92 preseason loss to the Celtics.

Analysis:

Since re-upping with the Hornets in free agency on a five-year, $120 million contract, Batum hasn't made much of an impact on the court, as he struggled for the French national team in the 2016 Summer Olympics and has been quiet through Charlotte's first two preseason games. The 27-year-old's big salary will put his performance under more of a microscope this season, and while he could very well sacrifice some responsibilities with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist returning after an injury-plagued 2016-17, Batum shouldn't be in line for any sort of dramatic regression while he remains in the midst of his prime.