AUGUST 13: The Clippers have officially re-signed Batum, the team announced today in a press release.
“Nico is a terrific player, a selfless teammate and a consummate professional, who lifts us in a lot of different ways,” president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement. “He fit in perfectly from the beginning, and we’re grateful he’s chosen to return.”
AUGUST 2: Forward Nicolas Batum has agreed to re-sign with the Clippers on a two-year contract, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. The contract includes a player option in the second year, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN tweets.
Los Angeles held Non-Bird rights on Batum, allowing the team to re-sign him for $120% of his minimum salary. By utilizing those rights, per Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times (Twitter link), the Clippers still have the $5.9MM taxpayer exception at their disposal.
It’s a coup for the Clippers, who were expected to face plenty of competition for Batum’s services, including from Portland, Golden State, Miami, and Indiana
After getting buried on Charlotte’s bench the previous season, Batum enjoyed a career revival with the Clippers. He averaged 8.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 2.2 APG in 67 regular-season games, including 38 starts. He also averaged 8.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 2.1 APG in 16 postseason games.
Batum began his career in 2008 with Portland.
As a warrior fan I think this is going to be a loooong season. Joseph and Batum gone along with all those other guys. I think it’s time for the basement. I’ll check back around opening day to see if the Warriors woke up from their Slumber. Do they even know what day it is today? It’s free agent day knuckleheads, wake up unless there’s something you have hidden under your sleeves we don’t know about…
And that Andre Iguodala thing, he’s not a 30-minute per game guy anymore. He wasn’t even a 30-minute a game guy when he was with the Warriors the first time !!! There has to be something coming. We can’t go into the year with the big 3 plus the young 3…, and I guess Jordan Poole LOL.
Patty Mills would look good in a GSW uniform. I got to think Marquis Chriss will sign.
There’s still plenty of Batum level talent out there, and there have been a lot of overpays today, just give them a week or two. There aren’t even THAT many minutes left when Steph Klay Draymond Wiggins Looney JTA Poole and Wiseman are all healthy. They need to add a few important depth pieces but there are still good options.
Keep your panties on Gary. We don’t need no stinking Batum. The W’s will be just fine. Poole will score 20 a game given minutes, Wiseman at least 15, Kuminga will play 20 minutes a game and surprise everyone . Steph will be great, Yadda yadda yadda …
Good move especially with Kawhi out.
This is a coup for the LAC. This player is in anybody’s rotation, if they want to win. Minimum + 20%? Wish it were the Knicks.
Bargain