Report: Hornets' Kidd-Gilchrist opting into $13M option

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is opting into his $13-million player option for the 2019-20 season with the Charlotte Hornets, The Athletic's Shams Charania reports.

Kidd-Gilchrist has been with the Hornets his entire career. He was drafted second overall by the franchise in 2012 and signed a four-year, $52-million extension in 2015.

The 25-year-old is coming off a down year in his seventh season. The Hornets demoted him to the bench despite being a consistent starter from 2012-18. He averaged 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 64 appearances for Charlotte this past season and was marred by knee and ankle issues.

Kidd-Gilchrist will become a free agent next summer if he doesn't sign an extension.