Nicolas Batum close to re-signing with the Clippers
Free agent forward Nicolas Batum intends to sign a two-year, $11.5 million contract to return to the LA Clippers. The deal includes a team option and a trade bonus. Bouna Ndiaye, Batum’s agent from Comsport, negotiated the contract. Batum, who chose not to exercise his $4.9 million player option earlier this summer, became a free agent. About to enter his 18th season in the NBA, Batum has already expressed that there is a “very, very good probability” that next season will be the last of his career. The 36-year-old French forward played less than 18 minutes per game for the Clippers last season, but participated in 78 games, starting in eight. Despite his age, he remains a good defender and stands out for his ability to open the court with his three-point shooting. Batum’s versatility shone in the Clippers’ first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. In the postseason, he shot close to 40% on 4.7 three-pointers per game, in addition to 1.7 blocks and 0.9 steals.Batum has spent most of the last five seasons with the Clippers, after long stints 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 next year.
Lawrence Frank
