LA Clippers: 3 tough contract decisions LAC must make next offseason

The LA Clippers had a quietly successful offseason this year.

They had a mission to keep the gang together as much as they could, and succeeded. They even were able to add some potentially productive pieces in Justise Winslow and Eric Bledsoe.

Next year, they will have some work to do again as far as making decisions on who should and should not be brought back. It won’t be Kawhi Leonard again, or Reggie Jackson. The players to re-sign won’t be of that caliber, but they’re still quality players, and the decisions will be important.

No. 3 tough contract decision the LA Clippers must make next offseason: Re-signing Nicolas Batum or not

Part of Nicolas Batum‘s future is out of the LA Clippers’ hands. He has a player option for next year.

That being said, it’s similar to Leonard’s situation this year. He is the one who has to pick up that option, but the team needs to make a push for him to pick up that option. In fact, in Kawhi’s case, he obviously didn’t even pick up the option, but worked out a new deal with the Clippers.

Perhaps that’s the best move for Batum as well. Turn down the option and work out a new deal.

As of right now, Batum can still play. He shot 40.4% from deep last year, which was the highest of his career (in seasons where he plays 38 or more games), and he shot 46.4% from the field (highest since the 2013-2014 season). If he can still play by next offseason, then the Clippers need to do everything they can to keep him around.