Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Feb 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) (center) gets a loose ball from Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) (right) during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 94-87. Reuters/Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The Charlotte Hornets locked down a key player -- on both sides of the floor -- for the next four seasons. The Michael Jordan-owned franchise is expected to sign guard/forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to a four-year contract extension worth $52 million, according to a report.

Yahoo Sports first reported the deal saying that the official announcement from the Hornets camp should come within a week.

Kidd-Gilchrist, also known as “MKG”, posted on Twitter recently, did not allude to the contract negotiations.

The 21-year-old Kidd-Gilchrist, who was the second overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, is known for being one of the reliable perimeter defenders in the league and also can score in bunches.

Charlotte has been one of the most active teams in the 2015 season with multiple trades and free agents signing this summer. Earlier in the offseason, the Hornets acquired guard Jeremy Lamb in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and forward Nicolas Batum from the Portland Trail Blazers. In free agency, they acquired point guard Jeremy Lin and forward/center Tyler Hansbrough.

Kidd-Gilchrist averaged career-highs of 10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds in the 2014-2015 season for the Hornets.

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