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[Saba Sports News] Paul George may no longer be with the LA Clippers, but the positive energy remains.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, veteran forward Nicolas Batum is rejoining the Clippers on a two-year, $9.6 million deal for a second stint with the team.
Batum, 35, played for the Clippers from 2020 to 2023 and became a beloved figure for his 3-and-D skills and his qualities as a teammate. He played a key role in the Clippers’ only Western Conference Finals appearance in 2021, and his willingness to do the dirty work made him a fan favorite.
Last season, Batum was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the James Harden deal. While necessary for acquiring a player of Harden’s caliber, the trade left some hard feelings, particularly from Batum’s wife. Now that the Clippers can bring Batum back in a new league year, they are seizing the opportunity.
In his time with Philadelphia last season, Batum averaged 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, with shooting splits of 46/40/71. His contributions extended beyond the box score, and he even had a memorable postseason performance for the 76ers. These same qualities should help Batum reintegrate seamlessly with the Clippers.