Veterans ranked top four in data, Batum rejects the player option to sign the Clippers again

The offseason officially started, and each team began to renew or strengthen. According to famous reporter Shams, Clippers player Batum rejected the $4.9 million player option to become a free agent. It is reported that Batum and the Clippers are interested in renewing their contracts.

According to media statistics, among all the players who came on the bench this year, Batum ranked fourth with 12 times among the players with the most blocks. The top three were Reed of the Timberwolves 14 times, Caruso of the Thunder 13 times, and 12 times by Celtic Cornet. In the entire league, only the above four players appeared on the bench and blocked in double blocks!

Batum has 1.7 blocks this season, ranking fifth in the league.

In 2020, the Hornets cut Batum and after the clarification period, he chose to join the Clippers. Batum expressed his gratitude to the Clippers management and coach Tyron Lu for joining the Clippers. After learning that he was laid off, he once thought about retiring, but the attitude of the Clippers management made him return to the arena again. The two sides signed a two-year contract of $9.57 million, and the Clippers also gained a low-paying and high-energy veteran.

Originally, after the Clippers were eliminated, Batum had told reporters that he planned to implement the player option because he believed that the new season was his last season, but after negotiations with management, he chose to refuse to implement the player option. The next step was negotiations on the cooperation intentions of both sides.

And according to another reporter, Powell may be the most likely player in the Clippers' roster. Management has been trying to find a tall and change-oriented player whether during this offseason or the trade deadline in February.