Nicolas Batum is headed for the Los Angeles Clippers

After being let go by the Charlotte Hornets, Nicolas Batum is set to join the Los Angeles Clippers.

It was inevitable, as they needed to clear room for Gordon Hayward, but the Charlotte Hornets have now officially waived forward Nicolas Batum. According Shams Charania of The Athletic, Batum intends to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers once he clears waivers.

Batum signed a five-year, $120 million deal with the Hornets in 2016, and (naturally) he picked up his $27.13 million option for next season. He was pushed out of Charlotte’s rotation last season, playing just 22 games while averaging 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He also shot just 34.6 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent from 3-point range in his limited time last season. The Hornets will be able to stretch that $27-plus million over three seasons upon waiving him.

Batum will turn 32 in December, and multiple contending teams were reported to have interest in him when it became clear the Hornets would eventually unload him. The Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks were previously cited as possible suitors.

Batum could be a nice depth piece for the Clippers

As they reshape the roster around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Clippers could use some depth on the wing. As noted by Hoops Rumors, they only have 12 players on fully guaranteed salaries.

At his best, Batum is a solid defender who can guard multiple positions while knocking down 3-pointers a bit (38.9 percent in 2018-19; 35.7 percent for his career). And he’ll also come cheaply now, rather than a new team having to take on the final, opted-into year of a bloated contract. Assuming the Hornets could have even found a trade partner based on Batum’s recent on-court resume, apart from the money due him next year.

Batum now formally goes down on the list of mistakes for the Hornets. But the Clippers, where he can be a background piece rather than a counted on “star”, will be be a good landing spot for him with only upside for the team.