One of the biggest needs for the Los Angeles Lakers right now is proven wings who can get things done on both ends of the floor.
L.A. signed Carmelo Anthony and Trevor Ariza last summer, thinking both could get the job done, but neither could play any type of consistent defense, while Anthony’s shot was very streaky and inconsistent.
One potential option on the market this summer will be Nicolas Batum, a veteran forward who is 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds. He is a very good 3-point shooter and a solid defender, which is exactly what the Lakers need.
A prominent NBA reporter says that they will be one of a few teams who will go after Batum.
Via Lakers Daily:
“The Los Angeles Lakers have been the subject of several rumors already, but most of them have to do with whether or not they will be able to trade guard Russell Westbrook.
“On Wednesday, a new report came out that had nothing to do with Westbrook. Instead, the report detailed the Lakers’ apparent interest in veteran wing Nicolas Batum.
“Batum has played for the Los Angeles Clippers for the last two seasons. He averaged 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in the 2021-22 season.
“‘It is anticipated that the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz will have strong interest in trying to pry away the 14-year veteran from Clipper Land, sources said,’ Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports reported.
“Though the Lakers have interest in Batum, Haynes did add that the Clippers are perceived to be in the driver’s seat to retain the French national.”
In both of the last two NBA campaigns, Batum has made at least 40.0 percent of his 3-pointers while posting a defensive box plus/minus of at least 1.5.
The drawback is that Batum is 33 years of age, and the Lakers haven’t exactly had luck with older players lately.
They need young, productive and reliable men, and signing Batum won’t help in that area.
However, if he could be had for the veteran’s minimum, he could be a solid signing for the Purple and Gold.
