Becoming a free agent following declining his player option, Nicolas Batum had no real intention of leaving the Clippers this summer, he just wanted to get a nice contract to continue the adventure in Los Angeles. It is now done!
Nicolas Batum is well under the California sun, so he will stay there a little longer. As Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Frenchie has just extended with the Clippers for an amount of 22 million dollars over two years. As we are strong in mental calculation, we see that it makes 11 million a year, which is regarding three times more than the salary offered by his player option (3.3 million). We do not know if all of the 22 million are guaranteed or if there is for example a team option on the second year, but in any case it looks like a nice little deal for Nico. Because even if the recent rumors of the corridor already announced a new two-year contract, we did not necessarily think that it would reach 22 million greenbacks in total. Good for Nico, good also for the Clippers, who clearly take advantage of the infinite financial resources of its owner Steve Ballmer to develop the best possible workforce with a view to winning an NBA title. And clearly, in this big project, Batum has his place, he who has proven since his arrival in Los Angeles two seasons ago that he might bring valuable things to a contender.
His versatility, his ability to fluidify a collective, his experience, his qualities as a shooter associated with his defensive abilities make him a role player not far from ideal for a team like the Clippers, guided by the starry duo Kawhi Leonard – Paul George. To go far, you need stars, but also guys in the shadows who allow the team to always turn out well. Nicolas is part of this second category, and now hopes that his contribution translates into a big Playoff run in 2022. Because if Batum stays in Los Angeles, it’s partly for that. So yes of course, he found a new home in the City of Angels following his very complicated end in Charlotte, and is a favorite of the Clippers public. He is also a father today and necessarily seeks stability. But this NBA champion ring, he has dreamed of it for a long time and the Clips are perhaps the franchise that can best help him achieve it. On paper, Los Angeles has everything to go to the end and with the return of Kawhi Leonard from injury, Nico did not want to miss the opportunity, he who even gave up on the EuroBasket this summer with the Blues for be fresh for next season.
Nicolas Batum who stays in Los Angeles, it’s not a surprise. The player and the Californian franchise are made for each other and have good reason to continue the adventure together. All that to add a beautiful ring in a little less than a year?
Source texte : Yahoo Sports
Free agent forward Nicolas Batum has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $22 million deal, league sources tell @YahooSports. https://t.co/Fu5tq3vRpc
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2022
