Mavericks: Could Dallas steal Nicolas Batum from Clippers this offseason?

Can the Dallas Mavericks steal Nicolas Batum from the Clippers this offseason?

Batum could go ring chasing this offseason. He started his career in Portland where his team made the playoffs five times in his first eight seasons. The Hornets qualified just once in his five seasons in Charlotte. Batum had not played postseason basketball since 2017 before the start of this series.

The Mavericks signing a veteran like Batum would be massive. It is a signal that Dallas is ready to contend. Any championship hopeful adds veterans to the end of their roster to push them over the top in the playoffs. Batum, Reggie Jackson, and Rajon Rondo have all played key roles for the Clippers in this series. Veterans chase rings on bargain contracts. The Mavs being able to add a few could take them to the next level.

Dallas eliminating the Clippers in the first round would be massive if they are hoping to convince Nicolas Batum to leave Los Angeles. The Mavericks are a playoff team right now, but not a true title contender. Upsetting the Clippers could shift that balance enough to make Luka Doncic and Dallas quite attractive to veteran role players this summer.

Nicolas Batum will have an important decision to make this offseason. Expect the Dallas Mavericks to make an offer, but convincing him to come is another task. Keep an eye on the veteran’s free agency this summer.