Charlotte Hornets big man Al Jefferson is staying in Charlotte for the final year of his three-year contract rather than entering free agency, agent Jeff Schwartz told ESPN's Marc Stein.
Al Jefferson forgoes free agency, will return to Hornets
Rather than entering free agency, Jefferson will stay with the Hornets for the last year of his contract.
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In April, after the Hornets missed the postseason, Jefferson said that he would likely stay in Charlotte, claiming he had “unfinished business.” Jefferson played 65 games in 2014-15, averaging 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in his second season with the Hornets. Charlotte finished the season 33-49. In his first year in Charlotte, Jefferson led the Hornets to the playoffs.
In the offseason, Jefferson, 30, told local reporters that he wants to lose 25 pounds before 2015 training camp. He will make $13.5 million during the 2015-16 season.
The following summer, he’ll enter free agency at the right time. The NBA’s salary cap is projected to spike for the 2016-17 season thanks to the arrival of money in the league’s new television deal.
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