Charlotte Hornets

Nick Richards and Charlotte Hornets agree to a contract extension

Mar 11, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) looks up at the scoreboard during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) looks up at the scoreboard during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-USA TODAY Sports Brian Westerholt-USA TODAY Sport

Nick Richards is having a career year, and he has been rewarded for it.

The Charlotte Hornets agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract extension with Richards on Wednesday league sources confirmed to The Observer. He was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, and the Hornets elected to lock the big man up now. The team announced the signing Wednesday evening.

Richards is averaging career bests in points (7.9), rebounds (6.1) and blocks (1.1) per game. He’s swatted a shot in six straight outings leading into Thursday night’s matchup in New Orleans, which ties for the longest streak in his three seasons in the league. He’s also third in the NBA in double-doubles off the bench this season with nine.

This story was originally published March 22, 2023 at 7:52 PM.

Roderick Boone
The Charlotte Observer
Roderick Boone joined the Observer in September 2021 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and NBA. In his more than two decades of writing about the world of sports, he’s chronicled everything from high school rodeo to a major league baseball no-hitter to the Super Bowl to the Finals. The Long Island native has deep North Carolina roots and enjoys watching “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” endlessly. Support my work with a digital subscription
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