10. Nicolas Batum, Charlotte Hornets (Unrestricted)
One of the most valuable NBA free agents this offseason in regards of what he can bring to the table is quietly going to be Charlotte Hornets swing man Nicolas Batum. Batum was traded to the Hornets for the last year of his deal and was a revelation with the change of scenery as he helped to lead Charlotte to the postseason with his contributions as a forward with a high level of skill and versatility.
Batum brings a ton to the table on both ends of the floor as he can play successfully at multiple positions with a terrific blend of skill, length, and athleticism. He’s a viable threat to score from the perimeter with a nice jump shot, but also has the handle and length to get into the paint in space and score over rim protectors. Moreover, he can use that length to really lock down opponents on the perimeter.
If there’s one player Lakers fans should want the team to go hard after that’s not Kevin Durant, it should be Batum. While he’s expressed his desire to stay with the Hornets, he’s exactly what LA needs moving forward. He’s a veteran that can defend and score and could really bring everything together.
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