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The Hornets have officially waived former Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum as part of their sign-and-trade deal to acquire Gordon Hayward from the Celtics. On Sunday, The Athletic’s Shams Charania broke the news and revealed that Batum would head to the Clippers once he clears waivers.
Nicolas Batum plans to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers after he clears waivers, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 29, 2020
Charania also touched on the details of the trade between the Hornets and Celtics.
Boston has signed and traded Gordon Hayward and two future second-round picks to Charlotte for a conditional future second-round pick. Celtics also receive a trade exception.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 29, 2020
For the Celtics, who are trying recoup whatever they can in the aftermath of Hayward’s departure, the trade exception is the feature asset of the transaction.
Batum, who played his first seven seasons in the NBA with the Blazers, is set to join his third NBA team. In Los Angeles, the 31-year-old French star will likely compete for reserve minutes behind the Clippers’ star-studded tandem of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Last season, Batum appeared in just 22 games and averaged 3.6 points in those outings.