CLIPPERS AGREE TO TWO-YEAR DEAL WITH VERSATILE FORWARD
Free-agent forward Nicolas Batum is returning to Los Angeles, having agreed to a two-year, $9.6M contract with the Clippers, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Veteran reporter Marc Stein first reported that the Clips were a “strong contender” to land the 35-year-old, who also drew interest from the Spurs and Warriors, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Based on the reported terms, it seems very likely that L.A. will use the bi-annual exception to sign Batum. If that’s the case, the exact value of the two-year pact will be $9,569,400.
Batum has long been a highly versatile player who can fulfill multiple roles on both ends of the court. He has a great feel for the game and is a very smart ball-mover and passer on top of being a strong three-point shooter — he has converted 39.8 percent of his long-distance looks over the past four seasons.
After an ill-fated yet highly lucrative stint with Charlotte from 2015-20, Batum had a career renaissance with the Clippers from 2020-23. He spent most of last season with Philadelphia, however, after he was traded to the Sixers in the James Harden deal. Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported Sunday that Batum would not be returning to Philly.
The 25th pick of the 2008 draft, Batum spent his first seven NBA seasons in Portland. The 16-year veteran will be playing for his native France in the Paris Olympics later this month.
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