Since joining the Sixers in the James Harden trade, Nicolas Batum has been recognized for his potential as a quality two-way wing player, seamlessly contributing to both offense and defense. Throughout his season with the Sixers, Batum has consistently impressed.
Batum quickly became a favorite among fans by consistently making impactful plays, such as sharp defensive rotations and confidently taking three-point shots. His contributions go beyond just statistics, although he maintained solid numbers, including 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, with an impressive 39.9 percent three-point shooting rate during the regular season.
However, Batum’s true value extends beyond the box score. He fulfills essential offensive roles for the team, including being a quick and decisive shooter who can capitalize on open opportunities. Whether facing tight defense or catching the ball on the move, Batum exhibits exceptional shooting skills, including shooting without needing to bring the ball down first—a rare ability he has perfected.
While Batum may not be tasked with primary ball-handling duties or playmaking responsibilities as he was earlier in his career, his passing skills remain valuable to the Sixers. Despite not possessing the same burst or agility as before, Batum still excels in various passing situations.
He demonstrates an understanding of different passing reads, whether it’s distributing the ball around the perimeter or delivering smooth entry passes to Joel Embiid in the post—a crucial skill that has been lacking in some of Embiid’s past teammates.
Batum’s exceptional timing, precision, patience, and touch are especially evident in his inbounds passes, to the extent that he could potentially impact games without even stepping onto the court. Even if the Sixers had acquired Batum solely for his ability to execute inbounds passes, he would still have made a significant contribution throughout the season.
Nick Nurse’s praise of Batum as the team’s top inbounds passer was consistently validated throughout the season. Despite not being at his defensive peak, Batum remains a highly influential and adaptable player on that end of the floor.
Utilized by the Sixers to guard a variety of positions, from ball-handling guards to wings, and even as a small-ball center or rim protector, Batum consistently rose to the challenge. His lateral quickness and physicality enable him to match up against smaller opponents while his length poses problems for forwards and some big men. His defensive timing and instincts often disrupt opponents, whether contesting shots on the perimeter or defending drives to the basket. Additionally, his reliable rebounding adds to his defensive contributions.
Unlike some highly paid forwards from previous seasons, Batum consistently made a positive impact on games beyond scoring.
Tyrese Maxey emphasized the team’s appreciation for Batum’s versatility, highlighting his ability to guard a wide range of players, from Trae Young to Wenyen Gabriel, showcasing unmatched defensive flexibility.
Batum’s significance extended into the postseason, notably in what’s now known as “The Nico Batum Game” during the Sixers’ play-in win against the Heat. He displayed excellence on both ends of the floor, pivotal in securing the first-round series against New York. Batum’s game-sealing block against Tyler Herro’s last-ditch three-pointer encapsulated his impactful performance that night.
Batum’s contributions against the Knicks were significant, showcasing both sharp shooting, as seen in his 16-point performance with three triples in Game 6, and crucial defensive plays, including his clutch block on Jalen Brunson to force Game 5 into overtime.
Overall, Batum met or exceeded expectations across the board last season.
As he enters free agency at 35 years old, Batum remains a valuable asset with more quality basketball left to offer various teams in the league. He could potentially continue as a starter for the Sixers or other teams, or serve as a high-impact bench player, averaging around 20 minutes per game.
Fortunately for Philadelphia, there seems to be optimism about Batum’s potential return. According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, there’s confidence within the Sixers organization that they can reach a deal with Batum in free agency. Despite initially not expecting to like Philadelphia, Batum ended up enjoying his time with the team.
Per Pompey’s report, Batum is among the pending free agents that the Sixers are most keen on re-signing, alongside Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry. This decision makes sense given Batum’s strong fit within the team and his consistent positive impact throughout the season.
While Oubre may command a higher salary due to his youth, athleticism, and scoring prowess, Batum’s value exceeds that of a minimum-salary player. However, given his age and injury history, a deal close to the minimum might be feasible. The Sixers may need to use part of their mid-level exception or allocate additional funds to secure Batum’s return.
Considering Batum’s positive rapport with the team, his fit within the roster, and the encouraging reports of ongoing negotiations, it appears likely that Batum will remain in Philadelphia. The Sixers should prioritize doing everything within reason to facilitate his return.
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