Utah Jazz Free Agency: Potential Small Forward Targets
By Greg Foster
Nicolas Batum
2015-2016 stats: 14.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.8 apg, .426 fg%, .348 3p%, 15.69 PER
Nicolas Batum signing with the Utah Jazz this offseason is my dream scenario.
Batum may not be an elite-level star, but he’s a guy the Jazz should be drooling over. He can handle the rock, he can score from just about anywhere, he can pass, and he can defend.
After struggling through an injury-riddled 2014-2015 season, Nicolas Batum bounced back to play the best basketball of his career. He signed with Charlotte and immediately became an anchor on an overachieving team that just pushed the Miami Heat to a seven-game series in the opening round of the playoffs.
Despite his third-wheel status in Charlotte, Batum played so well that several NBA insiders considered him an All-Star snub. He’s never looked more versatile or more effective.
In the ever-evolving NBA, Batum has become both a commodity and a necessity. He has a smooth, Swiss-Army Knife style of play paired with impressive size, length and skill.
Batum can force double teams and is a matchup nightmare. Because of his size and quickness, Batum can exploit defenders and make them pay with his playmaking and shooting. He’s also become lethal playing off the ball.
Next: Jazz Free Agency: Potential PG Targets
Like others on the list, one of Batum’s greatest strengths is that he can play small-ball power forward effectively. This would allow him to play big minutes with the starters while exploiting mismatches in Quin Snyder’s motion offense.
On the other side of the ball, it should be no surprise that throughout his career, Batum has garnered several All-Defensive team votes. He’s a dynamite two-way player.