Nicolas Batum had envisioned himself retiring in a Clippers jersey. The team had taken a chance on the veteran Frenchman after a rocky stint with the Charlotte Hornets and he was grateful. He didn’t think about leaving.
But it happened.
Batum, 35, was shipped to the Philadelphia 76ers last season as part of the late-night trade that brought James Harden to the Clippers at the end of October, finding out at the next day’s shootaround.
Now, the free-agent forward could finish his career with the Clippers after reportedly agreeing to a two-year, $9.6 million deal Monday to rejoin the team. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the news.
The news was celebrated on X (formerly Twitter) by Lily Batum, his wife, who reposted the announcement with “HE’S BACK!”
Batum’s loyalty to the Clippers stemmed from their desire to give him another chance after being waived by the Hornets. Disillusioned, Batum had considered retiring. Then the Clippers called.
“I mean they told me that when they were recruiting (that I would have a significant role), but I didn’t really believe it because in my mind I was like, ‘OK, I’m done. I suck, whatever,’” Batum said earlier this year. “But I mean, yeah, (Coach Tyronn Lue) said we’re going to use you and you’re going to play for me. And he did.”
The versatile, 6-foot-8 Batum averaged 5.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in 57 games (38 starts) last season with the 76ers.
He is set to play for France in the Paris Games this summer, his fourth Olympics representing his native country.
Batum wasn’t the only player the Clippers added on Monday.
Free agent guard Kris Dunn, a former No. 5 overall draft pick, reportedly reached an agreement with the the team, Bleacher Report was the first to report. The team also added some much-needed size with 7-foot center Mo Bamba.
Dunn spent the past one-plus seasons with the Utah Jazz and averaged 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 66 games last season. After playing three seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Dunn turned a string of 10-day contracts into a two-year deal with the Jazz. He started 32 games last season.
Bamba, who played for the 76ers last season, will back up veteran starter Ivica Zubac. In his lone season with the Sixers, Bamba saw limited minutes, averaging 4.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 57 games.
The Clippers lost backup center Mason Plumlee, who agreed to join the Phoenix Suns.
