Report: Nicolas Batum Set to Sign Clippers Contract After Being Cut by Hornets
Nicolas Batum reportedly plans to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers after being waived by the Charlotte Hornets Sunday.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the news, noting Batum will make the deal official once he clears waivers. Batum was waived after Charlotte signed former Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward to a four-year, $120 million deal in free agency.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that the Hornets were looking to find a team that would take on Batum's contract—worth $27 million—while also working on a sign-and-trade deal for Hayward.
Batum, who joined the Hornets in 2015 after seven years with the Portland Trail Blazers, averaged 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists through 22 games last season while averaging 23.0 minutes per game.
The 31-year-old finished his career with the Hornets ranking fifth in franchise history in three-pointers (496) and seventh in assists (1,521).
With the Clippers, Batum is likely to join Luke Kennard and Lou Williams in slotting behind Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
BasketSession.com, based in Batum's home country of France, was told by Batum's agent that there were six teams interested in adding him to their roster: the Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors (h/t NBC Sports Bay Area).
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer had reported last week that the Hornets would stretch Batum's contract over three seasons, paying out $9 million each year. At the same time, they will be paying Hayward $30,000,000 in each of the next four seasons before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2024. The 30-year-old is entering his 11th season in the league after three years in Boston, where he averaged 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 52 games last season.
In Charlotte, Hayward will command the Hornets offense along while No. 3 overall draft pick LaMelo Ball.
