16-Year NBA Veteran Breaks Silence on Signing With Clippers
While the LA Clippers have only officially announced one signing this summer (free agent center Mo Bamba), they have several reported transactions, including a free agency agreement with Nicolas Batum.
Batum played for the Clippers from 2020-2023, and was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in the James Harden deal. Never wanting to leave the Clippers after, in his words, Ty Lue saved his career, Batum is now set to rejoin his former team.
Speaking with reporters recently (translated from French to English via HoopsHype), Batum revealed that he had 17 options in free agency, but chose to rejoin the Clippers where he hoped to finish his career before being dealt to Philadelphia.
"It’s a return, indeed," Batum said. "I had several options, a lot of options - 17 to be exact. It’s a good thing. I’ll be reuniting with Ty Lue in a project I really like. It’s a good thing."
"J'ai eu beaucoup d'options, 17 en vrai" : Nicolas #Batum évoque son retour aux #Clippers et la nécessité de rapidement être fixé, alors que la préparation pour les JO bat son plein. @LAClippers @ClippersFR #NBA pic.twitter.com/fIpXxL0jpj
— Victorien Lenud (@V_Lenud) July 3, 2024
The Clippers are very excited to have Batum back, as they really missed everything he brings to the game on both ends after losing him in the Harden deal. While he is nearing the end of his career, Batum proved in Philadelphia that he still provides a lot of value with his ability to defend, connect plays offensively, and knock down shots.
As he hoped, Batum should now have the opportunity to end his career with the Clippers.
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JOEY LINN
Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.