Clippers forward Nicolas Batum won’t pick up his player option for the 2022/23 season, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Batum will become an unrestricted free agent, though he and the Clippers are expected to have mutual interest in negotiating a new deal next week, according to Wojnarowski.
Batum’s option would have paid him $3,328,530 next season if he had exercised it. Based on his strong play in Los Angeles over the last two seasons, the 33-year-old has earned a raise on that figure.
Across two seasons and 126 games with the Clippers, Batum has averaged 8.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.0 SPG with a .402 3PT% in 26.2 minutes per contest while playing solid, versatile defense. We ranked him 23rd overall last week in our list of 2022’s top 50 free agents.
Although Batum won’t come anywhere close to matching the five-year, $120MM contract he signed with the Hornets back in 2016, he seems like a good bet to receive interest as a mid-level target. The full mid-level exception for 2022/23 projects to be worth $10.35MM, while the taxpayer MLE would come in at $6.39MM, based on a $122MM cap.
The Clippers will be well above the luxury tax line next season, but will hold Batum’s Early Bird rights, giving them the opportunity to make a competitive offer without using their mid-level exception. Los Angeles should be able to offer a starting salary up to approximately $11MM using the Early Bird exception. An Early Bird offer would have to be for at least two years, with no player or team option on that second year (though the second year doesn’t need to be fully guaranteed).
Batum spoke enthusiastically in May about the impact head coach Tyronn Lue has had on him and his desire to remain with the Clippers.
Batum is the only Clipper holding a player option for the 2022/23 season, but L.A. has a team option decision to make on Ivica Zubac before free agency begins. Zubac’s $7.5MM option salary is relatively team-friendly, so I’d expect it to be exercised.
The full list of player option decisions can be found right here. We’re also tracking team option decisions here, though none have been officially made yet.
Batum is a lock to return to the Clippers, if they indeed offer him $11M+. The only question become how they fit him in the forward rotation. With Kawhi Leonard back healthy, will the Clippers mimic what Houston did and play Covington as a small ball center?
If so, the rotation looks like:
C Zubac (assuming team option picked up), Covington, TBD FA
PF Morris, Batum
SF Leonard, Powell
SG George, Kennard, Boston
PG Jackson, Mann, Preston
Because the Clippers have so much position versatility between SG, SF and PF, a domino effect of Batum re-signing and Leonard being back, could be dealing from their depth and exploring a trade involving Kennard, Covington or Morris.
That’s cute but if any part of him wants a ring asap, then he’s going to GSW on a cheaper deal.
Non-GSW NBA fans need to realize that the Warriors just showed us they are about to dominate the next 5+ finals – that changes a lot of players minds about them. Plus GSW having the only owner in the NBA who isn’t a pure penny pinching coward helps a lot – 25th richest owner = #1 in spending? Lol hate to see it…
Covington is absolutely cooked, he’s washed. He’s not a difference maker anymore, stop the delusion.
@trog
I feel Kennard is most likely to be dealt, as the Clippers will be able to sell high given his fantastic shooting numbers last season.
Covington could potentially be flipped for a center without hurting their stretch 4 depth as well (don’t forget they have Amir Coffey too).
As for Morris, I feel he would be difficult to trade given the contract (unless the Clippers are willing to attach a future draft pick as well). If they do clear some cap space and a roster spot, a reunion with Hartenstein might be a wise move.
@A’sfan
Yeah, I agree. The NBA should collectively surrender and just award the Warriors the next 10 Finals trophies. In fact, why even have a league? Why not disband completely? It’s just so much more fun to worship one team
Both Coffey and Hartenstein were left off trog’s list— the Clips are deeeep. They should consolidate. They might try to S&T for Brunson.
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I expect GSW to have a breather year, as they integrate the youth, and the vets relax after pushing.
I also expect AsfaninUK to become even more useless & aggravating. He has me muted, good to reciprocate.
Clippers current team salary
$167 million
Add Batum $11 million
$178 million
Warriors team salary at the moment
$170 million
Clippers can find a way by trading less salary for Irving
Not sure Batum is worth it given their depth. But Ballmer doesn’t care. The cap should be hardened by more than taxes.
He’s old but he’s the type of player the Sixers could use if they have their full MLE. Doubt it but type of dude. Just like OPJ or Tucker.