Nicolas Batum Declines Option with Clippers and Enters Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum has decided to decline his $4.9 million player option for the 2025-26 season, becoming a free agent. Sources indicate that there is mutual interest between the NBA veteran and the Clippers to reach a new agreement. The Clippers have the option to start Batum’s next contract at $5.6 million (120% of his 2024-25 salary) or use part of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $14.1 million. Batum, who is about to start his 18th season in the NBA, has expressed that there is a “very, very good probability” that the next one will be his last season. The 36-year-old French player averaged less than 18 minutes per game with the Clippers last season, participating in 78 games with eight starts. Despite his age, he remains a solid defender and an effective three-point shooter. Batum’s versatility stood out in the Clippers’ first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, where he shot nearly 40% from 4.7 three-pointers per game in the postseason, in addition to averaging 1.7 blocks and 0.9 steals.Batum has spent the majority of the last five seasons with the Clippers, after long periods with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Charlotte Hornets. In addition, he is a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the French national team.Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank stated before the offseason that the team “1,000 percent” expects Batum to return in 2025-26.
Lawrence Frank
