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Lakers rumors: Nicolas Batum could be perfect cheap veteran FA target

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 31: Nicolas Batum #33 of the Los Angeles Clippers dribbles the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 31, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 31: Nicolas Batum #33 of the Los Angeles Clippers dribbles the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 31, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

With minimal cap space, the Los Angeles Lakers don’t have many avenues to improve their roster after their disappointing 2021-22.

Of course, the team is a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis away from competing for a championship, but last season proved Rob Pelinka has his work cut out for him to surround his superstars with adequate talent.

With James and Davis at the helm, the Lakers don’t necessarily need another star, though the concept of reuniting LeBron and Kyrie Irving might be too intriguing to pass up given what the duo accomplished with the Cavaliers.

As of this writing, the Lakers only have four players — James, Davis, Talen Horton-Tucker and Austin Reaves (non-guaranteed) — under contract for next year and a whopping 13 free agents. Twelve of those are of the unrestricted variety, so Los Angeles has plenty of holes to fill depending on whom they bring back.

With free agency on the horizon, Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes is reporting the Lakers are interested in pursuing Nicolas Batum.

Nicolas Batum would be a fantastic pickup for the Lakers.

Batum is set to enter free agency after declining his $3.3 million player option for next season. The Lakers’ reported interest makes perfect sense after their bench ranked 14th in the Association with 36.6 points per game last year.

The Clippers are considered the frontrunners to win the Batum sweepstakes, as he’s flourished as a role player in Ty Lue’s rotation. With most of their core under contract and Kawhi Leonard expected to return after he missed 2021-22 rehabbing his partially-torn ACL, the Clippers will be title contenders next year.

In a vacuum, you can understand why Batum is prioritizing re-signing with the Clippers in free agency, but that shouldn’t dissuade the Lakers. At 33 years old and capable of shooting the three at an elite clip (40.2% over the last two seasons on 4.3 attempts per game), Batum would be a perfect fit on the Lakers.

Last season, the ageless Frenchman tallied 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists with .463/.400/.658 shooting splits. That output and efficiency would be a welcome sight for LeBron after the 37-year-old was forced to orchestrate everything offensively last season.

That’s not to say Batum should be expected to create offense, but he represents everything the Lakers lack in their rotation. At the end of the day, Malik Monk, a 38-year-old Carmelo Anthony, Avery Bradley and yes, Russell Westbrook, aren’t going to cut it if LA wants to return to title contention in 2022-23.

Though a perfect fit on paper, the Lakers face stern competition to pry Batum from the Clippers’ clutches. Pelinka is more than capable of flexing his muscles to lure a talent like Batum, but he might need LeBron and Davis with him at the negotiation table to win Batum over with the Clippers firmly in the driver’s seat.

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