Hornets swingman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist underwent a surgical procedure on Tuesday, the team announced in a press release. The surgery, which was performed in Philadelphia, addressed a chronic groin strain, according to the Hornets.
Kidd-Gilchrist is expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp this fall, per Charlotte’s announcement.
The Hornets’ press release makes it sound as if the team expects to have Kidd-Gilchrist on its roster for the start of training camp in September. He technically has a $13MM player option that he could turn down to become a free agent, but it’s probably a safe bet to assume that won’t happen after a down year and today’s surgery.
Kidd-Gilchrist, 25, averaged just 6.7 PPG and 3.8 RPG in a career-low 18.4 minutes per contest in 2018/19. Having started all but four of 357 career games for the Hornets heading into the season, he came off the bench for 61 of his 64 contests this past year.
Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer tweeted today that he recently asked an NBA executive if he thought Kidd-Gilchrist could make back the $13MM guarantee on his 2019/20 player option if he opts out. The executive’s response? “No way.”