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Clippers 2024-2025 Player Preview: Nicolas Batum
Our player preview series for the 2024-25 Clippers concludes with beloved fan favorite Nicolas Batum.
Basic Information
Height: 6’8
Weight: 230 pounds
Position: Forward
Age: 35
Years in NBA: 16
Key Stats: 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocked shots in 25.5 minutes per game across 60 games (38 starts) with the LA Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers with 45.3/39.5/71.4 shooting splits.
Contract Status: First year of a two-year contract worth $9.6 million.
Expectations
Nicolas Batum will most likely be the main forward off the bench for the Clippers this season. He has Ty Lue and his teammates’ trust and he can still be a productive player. What makes him unique and well-suited to the Clippers rotation is his ability to play both forward positions.
Depending on the matchup, he’ll see minutes as a small-ball center as well. During his first stint with the Clippers, he often played the five in small lineups. He’s going to be counted on this season to be one of the Clippers’ most dependable players off the bench.
Strengths
Batum’s positional versatility makes him a positive to any lineup. He can switch between both forward positions and center. He can guard multiple positions even at his age. He does so many of the little things on the court that even if his shot isn’t falling, he can still make an impact.
He’s one of the best three-point shooters on the team and arguably the best off-ball. His relocation and catch and shoot ability is still among the best in the league., especially at his size.
Weaknesses
There are times when Batum’s shot eludes him, but there as mentioned before, he contributes in so many other areas that he can still find ways to be effective. But this season in particular, the Clippers are going to need him to be on most of the season – they simply lack outside shooting.
There’s also the question of how much does he have left in terms of taking on tough defensive assignments and playing multiple positions given his age. But there’s not really any reason to expect a sharp decline at all this season. But just something to monitor.
Summary
Batum did not want to be traded from the Clippers last year and he’s openly spoken about how signing with the Clippers saved his career. And Clippers fans certainly did not want him traded. But he was one of the pieces Philadelphia asked for in return for James Harden.
He’s back though, and given his affinity for Ty Lue and the organization, it’s tough to imagine him not finishing his career here. Whatever the future holds, Clippers fans are certainly happy to have him back. And he’s going to play a key role towards whatever success the Clippers hope to have this season.
Clippers 2024-2025 Player Preview: Nicolas Batum
David Yapkowitz