SF Nicolas Batum, Unrestricted Free Agent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a_nM5TW0AI
Age: 27 years old
Size: 6’8, 200 pounds
Last Season’s Stats: 14.9 points; 6.1 rebounds; 5.8 assists per game
Percentages: 42.6% from the field; 34.8% from three-point; 84.9% from the free throw line
While the fit may seem odd and the price quite high, hear me out.
Danilo Gallinari is the Denver Nuggets best player. Gallinari is also their most attractive trade chip. If the Nuggets decided to make a large splash this offseason, the trade will almost certainly revolve around the Italian forward. If Tim Connelly pulled the trigger on a larger trade and the Nuggets lost their multi-dimensional small forward, there would be no better replacement then Nicolas Batum.
With ample cap space and the desperate need to bolster the perimeter defense of the Nuggets, Batum checks off quite a few boxes. He can guard three different positions on the floor at any time and is one of the more vocal defenders in the league. Add with endless offensive ability and one of the highest basketball IQs in the league, the fit could not be more perfect.
Batum is one of six players in the NBA to average at least 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The other five players? Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, James Harden, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. Batum is ultra efficient and provides more to his team than the box score can portray.
If the Nuggets find themselves in need of a starting caliber wing in free agency, they should look no further than Nicolas Batum to solidify the starting lineup. Offensive and defensive versatility has become a staple of basketball today and Michael Malone would be doing back flips if Tim Connelly somehow managed to get the frenchman into the Mile High City.
