As it is, he’s getting ~$9M from Charlotte and ~$2.5M from LAC, with no set-off.

Set-off only applies during the original term of the contract, i.e. he would have been eligible for set-off if the Clippers had given him more than the minimum this year, but there will be no set-off in subsequent years when Charlotte pays out the final 2 years of $9M to him.

As you said, he’s 32 and while he’s helped LAC so far he’s not like a stud impact player, he’s just a nice fit. You didn’t note the biggest factor in LAC’s favor: he’ll make $9M from Charlotte next year (and the year after), perhaps changing the calculation between offers. Like at LAC’s 5M vs another team’s 8M, it’s not 5 vs 8 so much as 14 vs 17, etc.

Ultimately I think he’s a helpful player but the market for his services will be limited as teams chase younger or more tangibly impactful players with their money. I do like their chances of getting him with the taxpayer MLE and honestly wonder if they might not need to at all.

I love the Batum signing, but I’m concerned that If Batum keeps playing this way, that the Clippers won’t be able to afford to keep him. Do you foresee any chance that the Clippers have a chance to resign him? Or will Batum price himself out of the clippers price range and sign with a team like Toronto or San Antonio who have oodles of cap space.

Here are some factors that the Clippers may have in their favor:

Batum’s age at 32: No spring chicken
Batum already has made a boat load of money
The LA market
Chance to play on a good team
The Clippers revived his career as Batum was previously viewed as an albatross who couldn’t get off the pine for a sorry team

So do you like the Clippers chances of resign Batum with their tax payer MLE?

Bev: C- His constante inexcusable fouls dropped him a complete letter grade for me & it sucks cuz he’s my favorite Clipper & top 5 Clipper all time.. If you’re reading this Bev 😂 stop with the bullshit lol

PG: A- Start of the Wolves game costed him a solid A

Kawhi: A- The extra aggressiveness in that 2nd qtr opening night dropped him half a grade.. He was a big reason why they lost the lead

Nic: A- Has been great & better than I expected SO FAR! & I expected him to be good, wasn’t one who called him or thought he was washed

Serge: A- Expected a but more defensively but has been great overall + a Nurk block shouldn’t make you hesitate on 2 subsequent layups/floaters.. Nitpick there but it was Nurkic we’re talking about

Lou: A- These last 2 games bumped him up to an A.. Wasn’t bad in the 1st 2 but wasn’t great either

Luke: C Has been a bit disappointing but solid regardless.. Start of the Wolves costed him a C+

Reggie: A- Was not the “horrible” player folks tried to make it seem after 2 games.. Was solid defensively in both but not much of an impact on limited time.. He’s been great in these last 2 games though.. Didn’t have the overall great game against the blazers as he did against the Wolves but was so good that he kept Bev on the bench alot longer in the 2nd qtr.. Had him at a B+ but went to an A- with the bump due to the Wolves game

Pat Pat: C- Almost what I expected.. Had he made a few more 3s he’d be at a solid C.. Def don’t agree with Lucas’ take here

Zu: A- Been great defensively the last 2 & in the opener.. Was pretty bad against Denver but like Lou & Reggie, got the Wolves bump into an A-

Mann: D Wolves game saved him from a D-.. He’s looked like the same player from last year & has underwhelmed considering he’d be playing with some damn confidence.. Also, let’s stop overrating the guy.. He’s a decent backup at best & is nowhere near that right now.. Still waiting & hoping he gains it cuz he’s skilled

Coffey: C The last game saved him from a D.. Love his aggressiveness even though he’s a poor shooter.. Hope he keeps it up so that he takes over the Mann min, til proven otherwise

Fi & Oturu: D Neither has done much of anything or proven to be worthy of min BUT I want to see Fi in real min where he doesn’t have to share the floor with the 3rd stringers.. Kinda hard to shit on the guy when he’s played with a HORRIBLE unit.. Each guy makes the other look worse than they probably are

Seems harsh (like, they HAVE to go 5-0 to go an “A”)? Not really … of they had gone 3-2, we’d all be disappointed and given the team’s expectation would have felt in the “C” range.

If they get through the first 7 loaded games at 6-1, then I’ll be VERY pleased and give the team an “A”. (but a 5-2 with a light schedule coming up would not disappoint me)