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Clippers 2026 Player Preview: Nic Batum
Our player preview series for the 2026 Clippers continues with beloved veteran Nic Batum.
Basic Information
Height: 6’8
Weight: 230 pounds
Position: Power Forward/Small Forward
Age: 36
Years in NBA: 17
Stats: 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.4 turnovers in 17.5 minutes per game across 78 games played (8 starts) on 43.7/43.3/81.0 shooting splits (2.6 3PA, 0.3 FTA) for 63.3 True Shooting
Contract Status: Signed a two-year, $11.5M deal this summer
Expectations
Nic Batum has one of the clearest roles on the 2026
Clippers: be a competent, steady, two-way forward that can fill minutes
alongside any of the Clippers’ best players. Nico’s role downsized last year
compared to earlier in his Clippers’ tenure (his 17.5 minutes per game were a
career low), but impact stats and the eye test still marked him as a clear plus
player on both ends. Nico’s size, smarts, and shooting should keep him as a
positive presence on the court even as the last vestiges of his athleticism
fade away.
Strengths
Nico’s top-billed strength, at this point in his career, is on the defensive end. Despite being old and slow (by NBA standards), Nico’s size, length, smarts, and strength still enable him to guard multiple positions. More importantly, he’s always in the right spot on that end of the floor, and his presence and communication help to prevent defensive breakdowns. He is not a stopper anymore, but is a clear plus on defense and will likely remain that way.
On offense, Nico’s biggest asset is his three-point shooting. He shot 43.3% from deep last year (albeit on only 2.6 attempts per game) and has shot 40.4% from three across his tenure with the Clippers. Nico’s height and quick release mean he can get off threes even against hard-closing defenders, and he’s fantastic at relocating to different spots on the floor to provide maximum spacing. He’s not a truly top-tier shooter, but he’s someone who defenses have to respect out there.
Finally, it must be noted that Nico just brings all the intangibles, and then some. He is a beloved teammate, a player that is trusted by the Clippers stars and coaching staff alike. You always know what you’re getting from Nico, even when the shots aren’t falling or the matchup is a tough one. That reliability is priceless from a role player.
Weaknesses
Nico’s only true weakness is that he no longer really takes
shots on offense that aren’t threes. Nico took 85.3% of his shots from three
last year, a career high, and that number will probably only go up as he continues
to age. Despite being a feared shooter, Nico doesn’t have the burst to truly
attack off closeouts any more, and finishing at the rim (57.1% on field goals
at the basket) is a challenge nowadays. Nico is not scoring the ball unless he’s
getting wide open threes. It’s always useful to have everyone on the court be a
threat to dribble, drive, and shoot, and at this point, Nico only fills one of
those boxes – though he’s so good at that one box it alleviates some of the
downside.
Summary
Nic seems like a lock to finish his career with the Clippers, and that’s something that Nico, his family, the Clippers’ organization, and fans all seem to be very pleased with. Nico’s role will likely continue to fade – the John Collins acquisition was a real sign that the Clippers know they can’t rely on Nico for huge minutes in big situations anymore – but his impact in the minutes he does receive will remain positive. The Clippers are better off with Nico on the roster, and he will be a joy to watch for as long as he’s on the team.