2. Nicolas Batum, SF, Los Angeles Clippers
Before last year, the idea of adding Batum would’ve been laughed out of the room considering how bad he was during the end of his Charlotte Hornets tenure. After his comeback season in Los Angeles, his value has shot up through the roof.
Batum not only was able to score 8.1 points per game and make 40% of his 3-point shots under Tyronn Lue, but he also made the move to power forward and small-ball center in certain lineups. LA’s bizarre configuration was enough to help them nullify Utah center Rudy Gobert and upset the No. 1 seed Jazz.
Ty Lue called Nicolas Batum "Nic Gobert" because of his 5 blocks tonight
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) April 14, 2021
Nicolas Batum adds defense, shooting, and versatility to the Raptors.
Batum was one of the most versatile players in the league in Portland, and while his ill-fated Charlotte end might’ve destroyed that status for him, last year proved that he can play any of the five positions on the floor, in limited intervals for a contender. He could see playing time right away in Toronto.
Batum might be intrigued by teams that might be a bit further along in their quest to build a champion than Toronto, which could make it tough to finish a deal. If they can overpay and secure his services, the Raptors will gain a potential game-changer on the bench.