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Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
2022 Free Agents - Nic Batum
Summary
After being bought out by the Hornets in 2021, there was a lot of doubt whether Batum had anything left in the tank, as his last couple years in Charlotte suggested that he was done as a meaningful contributor. However, after signing with the Clippers Batum showed that he can still be a solid starting wing. Batum started some games in the early parts of the '20-'21 season, and although he later came off the bench, he started again in the 2021 playoffs when the Clippers went to their small lineup.
Batum has hit 41% from three over the last two seasons, and his eFG% of 60.4% is near the top of the league for his position over that time. He has provided some additional play-making for a Clippers team that has an overall lack of passing. Batum also fits in well with the Clippers defensive scheme, as he, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George are all big wings that can guard multiple positions. He has good instincts on defense and gets blocks and steals at a high rate.
Batum isn't the athlete he was in his prime, and if his shooting falls back down to earth he could lose a lot of his value on offense. He'll be 33 years old as a free agent in 2022, but since he has continued a high level of play for two straight seasons, he could find himself with some legitimate offers.
Cap Considerations
Batum has a $3.3 million player option for 2022-2023, and if he opts out he will be an unrestricted free agent with a $4.1 million cap hold and Early Bird rights. Since the Clippers will most likely be operating over the salary cap, they will retain Batum's Early Bird rights until he is re-signed or signs elsewhere.
The Clippers could offer Batum a starting salary of up to 5% more than the average salary (likely around $10.9 million) using the Early Bird exception, which should be enough to retain him. However, the luxury tax could come into play, as re-signing Batum could cost the Clippers tens of millions in luxury tax, depending on his salary and what happens with their other free agents. Therefore, other teams may have a legitimate shot at signing Batum away from Los Angeles without having to make a big offer.
Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Batum as even teams without cap space could possibly use either the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Taxpayer MLE, or possibly even the Room MLE to sign him.
Potential Teams: Clippers, Knicks, Trailblazers, Kings, Warriors
Predicted Contract: 2-year, $20 million with the Clippers
Actual Contract: 2-year, $22 million with the Clippers
This one seemed pretty straightforward, as Batum was always going to get close to the max allowed under Early Bird.
Last updated: 6/30/2022
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