Ex-76er 'Intends' On Returning to Western Conference Contenders

Nicolas Batum will stay a Clipper.

Mar 14, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; LA Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) warms up on the court prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

On Monday night, the NBA opened the free agency window, allowing teams to bring on new talent to their team ahead of the upcoming campaign. One player who surely looked to be in the free agency pool, was former Philadelphia 76ers veteran Nicolas Batum, who had turned down his player option for the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The option Batum had turned down was worth $4.9 million, but almost immediately it was reported that there was a shared interest between the Frenchman and the Clippers' Front Office on extending his stay in the Intuit Dome.

Free agent forward Nicolas Batum intends to sign a two-year, $11.5 million deal to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN. Deal includes a team option as well as a trade kicker. Batum's agent, Bouna Ndiaye of Comsport, negotiated the contract for the reunion. pic.twitter.com/ocreAUZeFP

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025

It would appear that there was some serious merit to these claims as Batum penned a new two-year deal with the Clippers, which is set to be worth $11.5 million, as reported by ESPN's Shams Charania. Apart from these base-level details, the contract will include a team option.

The deal comes after what was a bit of a down year for the veteran forward, averaging four points per game on 43.7 percent accuracy from the field. It was Batum's first full season under Ty Lue since being traded away by the Clippers in October 2023, as a piece of the deal that sent James Harden away from Philadelphia.

A partial reason for the drop in offensive output was the smaller portion of game time that the 36-year-old averaged, given the introduction of Derrick Jones Jr in Lue's system.

It also brings an end to the potential reunion between Batum and the Sixers, who could be in the market for additional depth in the frontcourt, given the departure of Guerschon Yabusele to the New York Knicks.

---

Latest on Philadelphia 76ers’ 2025 Free Agency

Sixers Star Searching for a Hefty Payday

Eric Gordon Makes Option Decision

76ers Cut Ties With Lonnie Walker For Now

Kelly Oubre Plans for Return With 76ers