2. Nicolas Batum
Nicolas Batum could walk with Chris Paul on his exit to a sensational career. This means that two legends may retire from the same squad simultaneously, as Batum has a team-option in his contract for the 2026-27 season, but it may be denied if he announces his retirement.
In 2024-25, Batum averaged 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, shooting well over the common forty-percent three-point standard at 43.3%. The shooting efficiency stands out as the only valuable stat recorded by the French Knight, as the rest portray him to be a reserve.
Conversely, Batum was far from a reserve role. He seizes points and attempts by chance, demonstrating that his energy is directed towards hustling and defensive efforts, such as blocks and deflections.
Moreover, unfortunately for Batum, during next season, Tyronn Lue will likely prioritize Derrick Jones Jr., even if this was the same mistake he made against the Denver Nuggets. This is because Jones Jr. is younger and more athletic, meaning a vast majority of the backup forward minutes will be sent to him.
Additionally, Jones Jr. does make his bread and butter from an experience level that is inferior to Batum's, but his defensive skillset is on par with the fan favorite. He had a great season, averaging 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds, while shooting 52.6% from the field and 35.6% from distance.
Paper-wise, Jones Jr. is more reliable, and Batum has the freedom to adapt his approach to the game's needs. This could entail responsibilities such as motivational locker room speeches and developing G-League members to defend elite big men in Lue's small–ball lineups, which Brook Lopez and John Collins have effectively addressed.
Thus, eyebrows should not be raised in shock when fans realize that Batum could be a DNP mid-season despite being re-signed for two years.