5 Nicolas Batum SF

Batum hasn't appeared in game for the Hornets since Jan. 24, sitting out each of the last 15 games as the result of either an illness or a coach's decision.

The illness kept Batum out for two games in early February, but his string of absences from the rotation both before and after that time suggest that he wouldn't have gotten off the bench for those contests anyway. The Frenchman has been a massive disappointment for the Hornets since inking a five-year, $120 million contract extension back in the summer of 2016, and though he had been a mainstay in the rotation prior to this season, the organization seems to be writing him off as a sunk cost at this point. He'll likely continue to rack up the DNP-CDs through next season, as Batum is a virtual lock to exercise his $27 million player option for 2020-21.

Batum (illness) will suit up for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer reports.

After missing the last two games due to illness, Batum will be available to play on Wednesday against the Timberwolves. However, since playing in his homecoming in France on January 24th against the Bucks, the French wing has completely fallen out of the rotation, as he has not logged a minute since.

Batum (illness) is officially listed as out for Monday's game against the Pistons.

After missing Saturday's loss to the Pistons, Batum will now be unavailable for the second consecutive game. While his timetable is not clear, his absence should not hinder the Hornets substantially, as the French wing has not been a part of the rotation since Jan. 24.

Batum will miss Friday's game against Dallas due to illness.

Batum's absence may not be felt in any meaningful way by the Hornets, as he's fallen out of the rotation and hasn't appeared in any of the team's last five games. Even if Batum is healthy by Monday's game in Detroit, it doesn't appear likely that he'll play.

Batum (coach's decision) didn't see the court in Monday's 112-100 loss to the Magic.

Batum received a spot start in place of a struggling Miles Bridges when the Hornets took on the Bucks in his home country of France back on Jan. 24, but the 31-year-old has since found himself on the outside of coach James Borrego's rotation. With Bridges having since displayed improved form and rookie Cody Martin solidifying himself as a key cog on the second unit, Batum seems unlikely to recapture a regular bench role anytime soon.

Batum is coming off the bench Tuesday against the Knicks.

Batum entered the starting lineup for Friday's clash with the Bucks, scoring five points over 34 minutes of action, but he'll be sent back to the bench Tuesday. Miles Bridges draws the start at small forward in Batum's place.

Batum had five points (1-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes on Friday, as the Hornets fell to the Bucks 116-103.

Batum moved into the starting lineup for the Paris Game. However, playing in his home country of France did little to improve Batum's production. He has been ushered out of Charlotte's rotations, so this was a classy move by coach James Borrego and a cool opportunity for Batum, with Tony Parker and other French veterans in the building.

Batum is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Bucks in Paris.

The 31-year-old will draw the spot start Friday with the Hornets playing in his home country of France. Batum is averaging 3.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 22.4 minutes and figures to return to his bench role next week.

Batum played 32 minutes off the bench in Sunday's 100-92 loss to the Suns, contributing two points (1-5 FG, 0-3 3Pt), six rebounds, one assist and one steal.

After being excluded from the rotation in seven consecutive contests, Batum surprisingly received double-digit minutes in both of the Hornets' road games over the weekend. The veteran did little in the 46 minutes he received between Friday's loss to the Jazz and Sunday's game, however, tallying a combined five points (on 2-for-8 shooting from the field), nine rebounds, one assist and one steal. Even if he remains a factor on the second unit, Batum isn't likely to produce at a level that warrants intrigue outside of very deep leagues.

Batum was a healthy absentee during Saturday's 123-120 victory over Dallas.

Batum remained on the sidelines Saturday, his fifth straight game out of the rotation. The veteran is obviously not a part of what the Hornets are trying to do and despite being healthy, it appears as though he will be carrying the drinks moving forward. Barring a sudden change in fortunes, Batum can be left on waivers in almost all formats.

Batum (DNP-Coach's Decision) did not see the court in Sunday's 117-104 loss to the Grizzlies.

Batum has fallen off, with career lows of 3.6 points on 37.0 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from beyond the arc through 16 appearances this season. The 31-year-old forward doesn't seem to have much left in the tank, or at least he's off to a terrible start to the campaign. If Batum is traded to a contender perhaps that could revitalize him to an extent, but at this point he's not very useful for fantasy purposes.

Batum will return to a bench role Friday against Oklahoma City, Rod Boone of The Athletic reports.

With P.J. Washington (finger) back in the starting five, Batum, who has started the last two matchups, will come off the bench Friday evening. He's averaging 3.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists as a reserve this season (14 games).

Batum had six points (2-4 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 22 minutes during Sunday's 119-93 loss to the Celtics.

Batum continues to record incredibly boring stat lines even in a starting role, and he has been held to single digits in eight straight games (including two scoreless showings). In fact, this was actually his highest scoring performance during this recent stretch (and his second-best scoring total through 16 appearances this season), plus he's not adding much across the other categories either.

Batum will start Saturday's game against the Jazz.

After not appearing in five straight games, Batum will make his first start of the season, and Cody Zeller will head to the bench. In the eight games that Batum has seen 25-plus minutes this season, he's averaged 4.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Batum (hand) is available for Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers.

Batum has been cleared to return after missing the past four games due to a left hand injury. Across 14 games this season, the veteran is averaging 3.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 21.9 minutes.

Batum (hand) is listed as probable for Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers.

Batum looked on track to put an end to a three-game absence ahead of Tuesday's 110-102 win over the Hornets, but the Hornets ultimately erred on the side of caution and held him out of the front end of a back-to-back set. Assuming he experiences no complications with his injured left hand coming out of pregame warmups, Batum should suit up Wednesday without a minute restriction.

Batum (hand) said he will play during Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers, Rod Boone of The Athletic reports.

After missing four straight games, Batum will return to the rotation Wednesday. He's appeared in only 14 games this season, averaging 3.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 21.9 minutes.

Batum (hand) won't play Tuesday against Sacramento.

Batum is set to miss his fourth straight game due to a left hand injury. His next chance to return will come Wednesday in Cleveland. Cody Martin should continue to benefit with Batum sidelined.

The Hornets upgraded Batum (hand) from doubtful to questionable for Tuesday's game against the Kings.

Charlotte is seemingly more optimistic about Batum's chances of putting an end to a three-game absence after he took part in the team's morning shootaround. If given the green light to play Tuesday, Batum could be looking at an uptick in playing time with the Hornets now without PJ Washington (finger) for at least the next handful of games. Marvin Williams (knee), who is listed as probable for Tuesday, could also pick up some of the minutes vacated by Washington.

Batum (hand) is listed as doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Kings, Rod Boone of The Athletic reports.

Batum will likely miss a fourth-straight game as he continues to nurse a sore left hand. Look for an update from the team clarifying his status prior to tipoff, and if he's held out, Cody Martin should continue to see an expanded role.