Free agency madness continues for the Los Angeles Clippers with their most recent signing, Nicolas Batum. Batum is a 6’8″ combo forward and signed for two years, $9.6 million.
Free agent F Nic Batum has agreed on a two-year, $9.6 million deal to join the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/UPSxcBt4eX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024
Former Clippers Wing Returns Home in Free Agency
Batum isn’t the first wing that the Clippers have signed during free agency. Around midnight, the Clippers signed Derrick Jones Jr away from the Dallas Mavericks, a tough loss for them. Jones is a high-flying, dunking machine that can shoot the ball too. However, as good as Jones is, he’s not George. That’s where Batum comes in.
Batum actually played three games with the Clippers at the start of the 2023-24 season, before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. After trading him away, however, the Clippers and Batum both decided they wanted back with each other. It’s not like those three games were all Batum played with the team; he’s been with the Clippers since 2020, meaning that he’s proven himself to be a contributor on their roster, and knows the system well. Batum can stretch the floor well with his shooting; during the 2023-24 season, he shot 40% from three.
What Haven’t the Clippers Done?
The Clippers have been one of the busiest teams in free agency. They signed center Mason Plumlee, lost Paul George, re-signed James Harden, and are looking to trade Russell Westbrook. Signing Batum is just the cherry on top of an important offseason for the Clippers. Despite not re-signing George, the team still appears to be a solid playoff team in the Western Conference (although a less expensive playoff team at that). The Clippers hypothetical starting five if the season began today would be Bones Hyland, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Jones Jr, and Ivica Zubac. They’d have Norman Powell, Batum, and whoever they acquire in the Westbrook trade coming off the bench. While a championship is most likely off the table without George, the Clippers will remain a good NBA team that’s exciting to watch when Leonard is healthy.
It’ll be very interesting to see the return that the Clippers get for Westbrook. While he’s not the MVP that he used to be, Westbrook has proven he can be an impact player off the bench. This past season for the Clippers, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, solid contributions to a playoff team. His salary of just under $4 million also makes things interesting, as players of comparable value are typically paid more. Draft compensation could very likely be in the trade for him.
