The Warriors tried to sign Nicolas Batum last offseason before he joined the LA Clippers. Now, less than a year later, Golden State might be able to right a wrong.
Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reported Sunday, citing league sources, that the Clippers are trying to re-sign Batum, but that the free agent also is receiving interest from the Warriors, Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers.
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After adding lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody during the NBA draft on Thursday, the Warriors have made it clear that the priority now is to add veterans to fill out the roster, and Batum meets the criteria of what Bob Myers and the front office are looking for.
Batum, who turns 33 years old in December, averaged 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 67 games with the Clippers last season. He shot 40.4 percent from 3-point range and 46.4 percent overall from the field.
The Warriors are limited in what they can offer Batum and other free agents, but NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole wrote in July that Golden State should target the 6-foot-8 forward with the $5.9 million taxpayer mid-level exception.
Batum made just over $2.5 million with the Clippers last season, but he proved he can contribute to a contender after a disappointing 2019-20 season with the Charlotte Hornets, so he could be looking for a raise this offseason.
Golden State Warriors
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In March, before the Warriors and Clippers opened the second half of the season, coach Steve Kerr told reporters the Warriors were in hot pursuit of Batum last November.
"Well, we tried hard on Batum ourselves and we've always admired him from afar," Kerr told reporters on March 11. "Players like Batum are difficult to come by. He can guard pretty much four positions, he can make threes and he's a really good passer."
The Warriors were unable to lure Batum to the Bay Area last year, but they might just be able to do it this summer.