NBA free agency updates: Kevin Durant requests trade; Jalen Brunson headed to Knicks
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said Wednesday that he expected his team to be among the NBA’s top contenders once Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are back on the court together next season.
“I think if we stay healthy next year, we’re going to be having a chance to talk way late in the spring season,” Ballmer told reporters. “We have a great group, great spirit, great energy. … I think the sky is the limit for our team. … Of course, you’ve got to have a little bit of luck to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy.”
During a busy opening to free agency, the Clippers kept a key piece of their title hopes by re-signing veteran forward Nicolas Batum to a two-year contract worth $22 million, per Yahoo Sports. Los Angeles also re-signed guard Amir Coffey to a three-year contract worth $11 million, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Clippers’ biggest defection came when high-energy center Isaiah Hartenstein signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New York Knicks.
Batum, 33, has rediscovered his game with the Clippers, averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds as a starter last season. Back in 2019-20, the versatile French forward appeared to be headed out of the NBA following a disastrous campaign with the Charlotte Hornets. Now, Batum is a key piece to the Clippers’ deep reservoir of long and interchangeable wings that includes Leonard, George, Marcus Morris, Norman Powell and Robert Covington.
Coffey, 25, averaged 9 points and 2.9 rebounds in a bench role last season.
The 24-year-old Hartenstein averaged a career-high 8.3 points and 4.9 rebounds as a backup center, and he should enjoy an expanded role with the Knicks.
