There is a lot to like about the LA Clippers heading into the 2022 NBA offseason. They are prepared to get their All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George back healthy and ready to go, making them contenders for the upcoming season.
But, there is still some work to do this offseason with the roster. One of their key rotation players, Nicolas Batum, is set to hit free agency. He is declining his player option, which was worth $3.3 million.
While anything can happen in free agency, according to Yahoo Sports, the Clippers are in the driver’s seat when it comes to retaining Batum. A two-year deal is what is reported as the deal that the two sides will work out.
While the LA Clippers are in a good position, they are going to face a lot of competition for the veteran forward this offseason. The Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz are all expected to try and steal Batum away from the Clippers.
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Batum joined the Clippers in 2020 after a tumultuous stretch with the Charlotte Hornets. He looked like a shell of himself at times, but he has rejuvenated his career on the west coast. The versatility that Batum showed when he was with the Portland Trail Blazers earlier in his career was showing through once again.
A locker room favorite and veteran leader, it makes sense that the LA Clippers will want to bring him back into the fold. But, some of these plans could be adjusted with the news of John Wall heading to Los Angeles.
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The former All-Star is expected to sign a deal with the Clippers after agreeing to a buyout with the Houston Rockets. It is being speculated that Wall will be signed using the mid-level exception that Los Angeles has.
With Nicolas Batum’s early Bird rights, the LA Clippers can sign him to a contract worth up to $10.9 million, which they will likely do now that Wall is seemingly in the fold.
