JULY 6: The Clippers have officially re-signed Batum, the team announced today in a press release.
“Nico is a selfless vet and a winning player whose intelligence, versatility and skill have lifted our team for the past two years,” president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement. “We wanted to keep building with him and are honored he wanted the same.”
JUNE 30: Veteran Clippers forward Nicolas Batum has agreed to return to Los Angeles on a two-season, $22MM contract, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
After being selected with the No. 25 pick in 2008, Batum first established himself as a switchable, reliable 3-and-D wing with the Trail Blazers. After becoming a full-time starter on multiple Portland playoff teams, Batum was eventually traded to the Hornets in 2015.
Following a lackluster run with the Hornets on a lucrative five-year, $120MM deal, Batum was waived by Charlotte ahead of the 2020/21 season, which would have been the final year on his deal. Batum joined the Clippers on a minimum contract in 2020, and promptly rebuilt his NBA value as a solid forward on both ends of the floor, capable of playing either small or power forward.
During the 2021/22 season, Batum averaged 8.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG and 0.7 BPG for the Clippers across 59 games, including 54 starts. He posted a shooting line of .463/.400/.658. Batum declined a $3.3MM player option with L.A. ahead of the start of free agency today.
Los Angeles is gearing up for an anticipated deep playoff run, with All-Star wings Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both projected to be healthy during the 2022/23 season. In addition to bringing back 33-year-old Batum, the Clippers also are set to add 31-year-old former five-time All-Star John Wall to a team-friendly contract as they shore up veteran depth.
The Clippers are re-signing Batum using the Early Bird exception, which requires the deal to be for at least two years, with no options.
Clippers should be a good side and come the trade line will have a bunch of moveable role players and could on the look out for another big name.
Zubac, Kennard, Morris, Powell, Batum, Covington, Reggie all earning roughly that 15-8mil range.
The assumption is hopefully Wall can be healthy and find some form and lock down the starting point guard spot and be a key contributor. Leaving PG and Kawhi on the wings. As I mentioned above you have a wealth of wings and forwards which is great but imagine if they can add another key player.
Would Tobias Harris for Marcus Morris and someone be enough of an upgrade?
Maybe Julius Randle?
Although I want Barnes and Gordon I’d happily do Harris and Thybulle for Morris/Covington and Kennard
That you say they have wings to trade,
means,
They have too many wings.
22 mil for 2 years that’s an overpay IMO.
No surprise. Only the number of years was in question. I believe that is the maximum per annum they could pay him with EBRs. 2 years is the shortest term he could sign for with EBRs.
Over the cap big time. Balmer is going ALL in. Like he has to. Great depth. If they stay healthy, watch out man.
Bit overpaid but he’s a good low maintenance vet for a team that needs to win a ring
Thought he could get more, or at least more years. Obvious fit for them next to their other versatile defenders. He was likely in demand, so good for them to be able to keep him. No surprises though. He took less from them previously and spoke about staying, so good for him to be in a good situation for him, and he obviously made a lot of money previously anyway