By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nicolas Batum is set to decline his option and at the end of his contract become a free agent but there is expected to be a mutual interest to reach a new deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Batum, 33, had declared his intention to continue as a member of the Clippers. He was initially slated to pick up the 3,328,530$ option but will instead become a free agent and from there seek a new contract with the Los Angeles organization, as noted in the latest update on his status heading to the 2022-23 NBA season.
The French forward averaged 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per contest starting in 54 of his 59 outings over the 2021-22 season, his second campaign as a member of the Clippers. His side missed the Playoffs after being knocked out by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Play-In stage.
After being waived by the Charlotte Hornets, he inked a contract with the Clippers in December 2020. Last summer, he re-signed securing the aforementioned player option. He is now heading toward a third separate deal with the team located in Los Angeles, California.
Batum played for the Hornets from 2015-16 through the 2019-20 season. His first seven years in the NBA featured him at the Portland Trail Blazers. He was selected with the 25th overall pick of the 2008 draft by the Houston Rockets before being traded to the Blazers.
Back in April, the veteran of 155 games with the France senior national team announced his decision to skip the 2022 EuroBasket focusing on preparing for the next season in the NBA.
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