Steve Clifford hails Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford has insisted that the team cannot survive without small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

The 21-year-old joined the team in 2012 and averages nine points per game across four seasons in the NBA.

Today, he put pen to paper on a new four-year contract, and Clifford believes that he is vital to the Hornets.

He told the team's official website: "As much as anybody that we have had in the two years I've been here, he's been the guy that we can't play well without for any long period of time."

Kidd-Gilchrist's contract is reportedly worth £33.5m.