After an 18-year career and $208.7 million in earnings, 37-year-old forward Nicolas Batum has officially announced his departure from the NBA. Taken 25th overall in the 2008 draft, the Frenchman averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds across 1,205 regular-season games. Whether at the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers or Los Angeles Clippers, Batum consistently stood out for his versatile defence and sharp basketball intelligence. Despite signing a two-year deal in 2025, he was left a free agent in June 2026 when the Clippers declined his $5.88 million option.
Beyond the NBA, Batum gave 15 years to the French national team, winning silver medals at both the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. The veteran, who stepped away from international basketball after the 2024 Paris Games, crowned his France career with EuroBasket gold, silver and bronze medals.
