3 Clippers that earned untouchable status, 3 that should be cut loose

1st Cut: Nicholas Batum

Batum is not a bad player, but unfortunately is one of the holders of the illustrious “Holy Macaroni That’s A Terrible Contract” lifetime achievement award for his four-year mega deal from the Hornets. Thankfully, the Clippers are not footing the bill for that kind of chedder, but Batum still makes way too much money to justify his stand-still-and-shoot-threes role.

The current iteration of this Clippers team is not going anywhere fast, so dumping Batum’s $11 million expiring would be a valuable move if this team wants to get faster. His three-and-vaguely-D role can be replicated relatively easily, so it’s not worth leaving him out of salary balancing trades that would make the team younger and quicker.

If he is traded, he could be bought out or stick around as a veteran mentor. Whatever happens to him, I wish Batum the best. He doesn’t deserve the hate for his sticker-shocking contract, he’s been great.