ESPN.com reports that Jefferson’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, said he will notify the team by Monday’s deadline to declare free agency that the 6-10 Jefferson will return to the Hornets for the 2015-16 season.
MORE: Cavs owner tweaks Warriors | Benched Bogut is OK | Unleashing Anthony Davis
The 30-year-old Jefferson will earn $13.5 million in the final season of his three-year deal with Charlotte. While he could almost certainly land a more lucrative deal in free agency, the market will be even better a year from now. The NBA salary cap is expected to soar next year to coincide with the league’s nine-year, $24 billion TV contract beginning for the 2016-17 season.
From a competition standpoint, Jefferson told reporters in April he wanted to return to the Hornets because of “unfinished business.” Jefferson’s arrival in Charlotte as a free agent sparked a turnaround in the beleaguered franchise, which had gone 28-120 in the two seasons before his arrival. Jefferson, along with guard Kemba Walker, led the Hornets to the playoffs in his first season.
But injuries last year to Jefferson — he missed 17 games — and Walker caused the Hornets to backslide to a 33-49 mark. Jefferson averaged 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game last year.
