The Golden State Warriors don’t need to make another roster move - at least not by the letter of the NBA rulebook. Teams are allowed to carry just 14 players if they choose, and technically, the Dubs are in the clear.
But with the playoff race tightening and Stephen Curry still carrying a heavy load, there’s buzz around the league that Golden State could be eyeing a savvy veteran to bolster their rotation. One name being floated? Nicolas Batum.
Batum, currently with the Clippers, has seen his role shrink in recent weeks. After playing in 51 of L.A.’s first 52 games, he was a healthy scratch on Tuesday and then listed as out for rest on Wednesday - despite not playing the night before.
That’s not your typical rest pattern, especially for a guy who’s already logging limited minutes. It’s starting to look like the Clippers are leaning into a youth movement on the wing, which could leave Batum - and others like Bogdan Bogdanovic - on the outside looking in.
If Batum does become available via buyout, the Warriors make a lot of sense. Golden State might not be the only team interested, but they could offer something that’s in short supply elsewhere: immediate playing time. For a veteran like Batum, who still has something to offer but doesn’t want to sit at the end of a bench, that opportunity could be the deciding factor.
Now 37, Batum isn’t the player he once was - no one’s pretending otherwise. But he’s carved out a long NBA career by doing the little things right.
He defends, he spaces the floor, and he doesn’t try to do too much. This season with the Clippers, he’s averaging 4.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, while shooting a solid 39.7% from the field and an impressive 39.4% from deep.
That kind of efficiency from beyond the arc, especially from a forward who understands his role, still holds value - especially in a Warriors system that thrives on movement and spacing.
Golden State has leaned heavily on its core this season, but depth has been a question mark at times. Adding a player like Batum wouldn’t be a game-changer in the traditional sense, but it could provide just enough veteran savvy and shooting to stabilize the second unit - or even give Steve Kerr another flexible piece to plug into the rotation come playoff time.
If the Clippers decide to move on, the Warriors will be watching closely. Batum might not be the splashiest name on the market, but for a team looking to maximize its title window while Curry is still doing Curry things, he could be a smart, low-risk addition.