One NBA writer is proposing that the Washington Wizards acquire Nicolas Batum from the Los Angeles Clippers in a bold trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Wizards and Clippers:
Trade idea: Los Angeles Clippers trade Nicolas Batum, Kobe Brown and 2028 first-round pick to Washington Wizards for Tyus Jones
Batum appeared in 78 games for the Clippers last season. He averaged 6.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 42.0% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc and 70.8% from the free-throw line. Batum plans on retiring from the NBA at the end of next season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nicolas Batum, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards Updates
The 34-year-old Batum has career NBA averages of 10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 993 games with the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets and Clippers.
The Clippers went 44-38 last season and lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. Meanwhile, the Wizards won only 35 games and didn’t make the postseason.
Washington tore down the roster this offseason, trading Bradley Beal to the Suns and Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics. The Wizards acquired Chris Paul in the Beal trade but didn’t keep him, trading the future Hall of Famer to the Golden State Warriors for Jordan Poole.
The Wizards did re-sign Kyle Kuzma to a four-year, $90 million contract. Kuzma averaged 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists last season in 64 games while shooting 44.8% overall, 33.3% from 3-point land and 73.0% from the foul line.
The Clippers are potentially facing a crossroads with their roster since Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both have player options for the 2024-25 season. If Los Angeles doesn’t compete for a title next season, the Leonard-George era could be over.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nicolas Batum, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards Updates
The Clippers signed Leonard in the summer of 2019 and traded for George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the franchise hasn’t reached the NBA Finals yet. Leonard and George have only played in 118 regular-season games together. Both stars have been prone to injuries since becoming teammates.
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