<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nicolas-batum-calls-out-eurobasket-fans-racist-comments-on-social-media');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nicolas Batum calls out EuroBasket fans’ racist comments on social media');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Batum.jpg"><figcaption>John David Mercer-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Nicolas Batum calls out EuroBasket fans’ racist comments on social media</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-31T09:19:48-07:00">August 31st, 9:19am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-31T09:19:48-07:00">August 31st, 9:19am</time><address><a href="https://www.downeuclid.com">Evan Dammarell</a>Evan Dammarell is an award-winning sports journalist covering all things Cleveland, including the Cavs, right off the shores of Lake Erie. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/eurobasket-news-why-french-player-apologized-to-luka-doncic-shady-move">France’s 103-95 win over Slovenia</a> at EuroBasket 2025 was overshadowed by an ugly incident off the court, as French guard Sylvain Francisco became the target of racist abuse on social media. Nicolas Batum, one of the most respected voices in French basketball, <a href="https://x.com/nicolas88batum/status/1961924285380923850" rel="noopener">quickly came to his defense</a> and called out fans for crossing a line that has no place in sports.</p><p>The controversy erupted in the final seconds when Francisco, after shaking Luka Doncic’s hand, drove to the rim for an uncontested layup that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/eurobasket-news-slovenia-france-game-ends-in-bizarre-manner">extended France’s margin of victory</a> from nine to 11 points. Because point differential matters in EuroBasket, the play had strategic value. However, many Slovenian fans viewed it as disrespectful and flooded social media with vitriol, including racial slurs.</p><p>“Some of y’all are sick even if you disagree with a basketball play,” Batum wrote on X. “Racism and hate are never acceptable at all. After Dennis Schroder earlier, now this. Major props to Sylvain, great game, brother. Keep shining and making us proud.”</p><p>The French Basketball Federation also issued a statement condemning what it described as “intolerable” behavior that goes against the values of the sport. Francisco himself spoke out, stressing that while fans can criticize his actions on the court, racism is far beyond acceptable criticism.</p><h2><b>This isn’t the first incident to occur during EuroBasket 2025</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Schroder.jpg"><figcaption>Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>This was the second such incident in the tournament after Germany’s Dennis Schroder faced racist taunts in a win over Lithuania. Organizers later banned a fan involved in that case. But Batum’s comments underscored a growing frustration among players who feel these situations are not being dealt with strongly enough.</p><p>EuroBasket has long been known for its passionate crowds and heated rivalries. However, the tournament’s spirit of competition has been marred by recurring acts of racism. With group play intensifying, players and federations alike are urging governing bodies to act swiftly and ensure offenders face consequences.</p><p>Francisco, who scored 32 points against Slovenia, said he regrets the misunderstanding with Doncic. But he will not stay silent about the racial abuse that followed. For Batum and the French federation, the message remains clear. Criticism of a basketball decision is fair game. But hatred aimed at a player’s race has no place in EuroBasket or anywhere else.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nicolas Batum calls out EuroBasket fans’ racist comments on social media

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-clippers/clippers-news-nicolas-batum-la-with-12-million-contracr-retirement-rumors');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nicolas Batum returns to Clippers with $12 million contract despite retirement rumors');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Nicolas-Batum.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Nicolas Batum returns to Clippers with $12 million contract despite retirement rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-30T11:48:54-07:00">June 30th, 11:48am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-30T13:48:03-07:00">June 30th, 1:48pm</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Clippers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/clippers-news-nicolas-batum-declines-player-option">Clippers are bringing back a key player</a> to their lineup <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1939745171689939351" rel="noopener">before free agency starts</a>, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.</p><p>“Free agent forward Nicolas Batum intends to sign a two-year, $11.5 million deal to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN. Deal includes a team option as well as a trade kicker. Batum’s agent, Bouna Ndiaye of Comsport, negotiated the contract for the reunion,” Charania wrote on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>A few days ago, Batum declined his $4.9 million player option for next season to become a free agent, but there was mutual interest between him and the Clippers for him to return. They were able to get that deal done, and with Batum approaching his 18th season in the league, he says there’s a good chance that he will retire after next season.</p><p>Last season for the Clippers, Batum played in 78 games and started in eight of them, averaging 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. He’s been a solid 3-and-D player in this part of his career, and he proved that last season with the Clippers.</p><p>Batum really showed his value against the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, and he was a big reason why they were able to get the Clippers to seven games. He shot 40% from the 3-point line during the playoffs, while also averaging 1.7 blocks and 0.9 steals per game.</p><p>This is one of the first moves that the Clippers have made this offseason. Their next line of business will be re-signing <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/clippers-news-james-harden-decides-36-3m-option-2025-26-season">James Harden, as he recently declined his option</a>. Harden will re-sign with the Clippers, and it’s supposed to be for two years, $81.5 million. The Clippers should be another team to watch out for once again in the Western Conference next season, but health will always be a key area for them, and the hope is that Kawhi Leonard can stay injury-free throughout the year.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nicolas Batum returns to Clippers with $12 million contract despite retirement rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-clippers/clippers-news-nicolas-batum-declines-player-option');   ga('set', 'title', 'Clippers’ Nicolas Batum declines player option, but there’s a catch');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nicolas-Batum-during-the-game-between-Los-Angeles-Clippers-and-Chicago-Bulls.webp"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Clippers’ Nicolas Batum declines player option, but there’s a catch</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-28T16:59:17-07:00">June 28th, 4:59pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-28T17:00:57-07:00">June 28th, 5:00pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Clippers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Veteran forward <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-clippers/clippers-news-nicolas-batum-makes-decision-on-3-3-million-player-option-ahead-of-2022-nba-free-agency">Nicolas Batum has declined</a> his $4.9 million player option for the 2025–26 NBA season, according to ESPN’s Senior Insider Shams Charania, <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1939092288619130964" rel="noopener">making him an unrestricted free agent</a>. However, there’s a significant caveat. Both Batum and the Los Angeles Clippers have mutual interest in striking a new deal when free agency begins on Monday.</p><p>Batum, who turns 37 in December, is coming off a solid season with the Clippers, his fifth with the franchise after prior stints with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Charlotte Hornets. He appeared in 78 regular-season games in 2024–25, starting eight, and averaged 17.5 minutes per game. Despite his limited court time, the 6-foot-10 Frenchman made a notable impact with his floor spacing and defense.</p><p>During the regular season, Batum shot an efficient 43.3% from three-point range on 2.6 attempts per game, reinforcing his value as a quick-trigger shooter. His contributions increased in the postseason. In the Clippers’ first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, Batum averaged 24.4 minutes per game, up nearly seven minutes from the regular season, and contributed across the board with 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 0.9 steals per contest.</p><p>His defensive presence and versatility stood out, particularly against a high-powered Nuggets squad. Batum shot nearly 40% from deep on 4.7 attempts in the playoffs, underlining his ability to stretch the floor in high-stakes scenarios.</p><p>Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has publicly stated the organization “1,000 percent” wants Batum to return, and discussions around a new deal appear to be ongoing. ESPN’s Shams Charania noted that both sides could reach an agreement early in free agency.</p><p>Originally the 25th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Batum has played 17 seasons in the league and is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-clippers/olympics-news-nicolas-batum-retires-from-french-basketball-with-back-to-back-silver-medals">a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the French national team</a>. He has already hinted that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-clippers/clippers-rumors-nicolas-batum-reveals-upcoming-retirement-plan">the 2025–26 season could be his final year in the NBA</a>.</p><p>The Clippers have big offseason decisions ahead, including James Harden’s $36.3M player option, and Batum is just another name to watch. Even at his age, Nicolas Batum remains a valuable piece thanks to his experience, sharp shooting, and dependable defense.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Clippers’ Nicolas Batum declines player option, but there’s a catch

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-clippers/clippers-rumors-nicolas-batum-reveals-upcoming-retirement-plan');   ga('set', 'title', 'Clippers’ Nicolas Batum reveals upcoming retirement plan');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Nic-Batum.jpg"></figure><h1>Clippers’ Nicolas Batum reveals upcoming retirement plan</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-05-19T17:09:48-07:00">May 19th, 5:09pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-05-19T17:09:48-07:00">May 19th, 5:09pm</time><address><a>Dylan Fine</a>Dylan Fine focuses on the NFL and NCAA Football for ClutchPoints, in addition to working on the meme team. Dylan is a graduate of Georgetown University and has covered various topics ranging from local politics in the DMV region with DC Voter For Animals to live sporting events in the Long Island and Rochester areas with The Southampton Press and Pickin’Splinters. When he isn't working, he's usually running in preparation for the next annual Turkey Trot.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Clippers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum gave insight into his upcoming retirement. The 36-year-old has played 17 years in the NBA and has become a reliable role player toward the tail end of his career. Batum has enjoyed two stints with the Clippers, including this most recent one, where he was given super difficult defensive assignments even at his age. Several times, the veteran Frenchman was matched up <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-clippers/clippers-news-president-lawrence-frank-gets-brutally-honest-on-game-7-loss-vs-nuggets">against Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic</a> during the seven-game series with the 2023 NBA champs.</p><p>This series was an absolute thriller that is probably still eating at the Clippers, considering how close they were to advancing to the second round. Despite that disappointment, 2024-25 was a successful season for a franchise that was expected to take a considerable dip due to not resigning Paul George. Los Angeles, however, won 50 games for the second straight year. In a recent interview with BeinSports, Batum <a href="https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/1826747/nicolas-batum-very-likely-to-retire-at-end-of-next-season/" rel="noopener">was honest</a> about his retirement plans.</p><p>“There’s a very, very good chance that the next season will be my last.”</p><p>Batum is currently on a two-year deal that will end after next season. The savvy veteran was playing over 20 minutes a game for the Clippers and is still a critical wing on this roster. Los Angeles lacks some depth in this area, especially with the uncertain health of Kawhi Leonard throughout his tenure. Batum’s return will therefore pay dividends. The franchise will have some critical decisions this offseason as it looks to take that good-to-great jump. James Harden has a player option that he could exercise next season, but he could be potentially looking for a long-term deal.</p><p>Norman Powell is also extension-eligible, coming off a season where he could’ve been named an All-Star. Los Angeles has two very valuable starters in their prime, Powell and Ivica Zubac, who form a formidable core with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. The question is whether the Clippers will look to use one of these players in a potential star trade. Los Angeles <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44588112/nba-offseason-2025-draft-free-agency-trade-targets-30-teams" rel="noopener">can trade up</a> to two firsts from 2030 and 2032 and swap their picks in 2030, 2031, or 2032. Batum coming back for one last ride is essential, but this front office likely has a few more surprising moves to make this offseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Clippers’ Nicolas Batum reveals upcoming retirement plan

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/olympics-news-nicolas-batum-retires-from-french-basketball-with-back-to-back-silver-medals');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nicolas Batum retires from French basketball with back-to-back silver medals in Olympics');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Nicolas-Batum-France-Team-USA-Olympics.jpg"></figure><h1>Nicolas Batum retires from French basketball with back-to-back silver medals in Olympics</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-08-11T03:25:37-07:00">August 11th, 3:25am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-08-12T12:43:13-07:00">August 12th, 12:43pm</time><address><a>Tomer Azarly</a>Tomer Azarly is in his ninth season as the LA Clippers beat writer and NBA reporter for ClutchPoints. From the Lob City era to the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era, he brings you everything you need to know about the Clippers as well as coast-to-coast coverage of the NBA.In his off time, Tomer likes to play basketball, video games, and draw.You can follow his Twitter for all Clippers content.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/olympics-news-victor-wembanyamas-role-electrifying-gold-medal-game-team-usa">Led by Victor Wembanyama</a> and Nicolas Batum, the French Men’s National Basketball Team finished their run at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday. Unfortunately, they fell short of their ultimate goal with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lebron-james-olympics-mvp-win-splits-team-usa-fans">a 98-87 loss to LeBron James</a>, Stephen Curry, and the United States.</p><p>Wembanyama led the way for France, recording a game-high 26 points and earning All-Olympics Team honors after the game. Batum was quiet offensively, finishing with five points, eight rebounds, and four assists. He had the task of defending some of Team USA’s best like Curry and Kevin Durant, which ultimately proved to be a tall task.</p><h2><b>Nicolas Batum done internationally</b></h2><p>For years now, Batum had been hinting that this Olympics run would be his last. On Saturday night, he confirmed that the Paris Olympics was his last time suiting up with France.</p><p>“It was my last one with this jersey,” Batum said after the loss. “I spent 15 years playing four World Cups, four EuroBaskets, and four Olympics. I did what I had to do: Seven medals. I’m happy.”</p><p>Nicolas Batum, who will turn 36 years old in December, will finish his international career with seven total medals to his name:</p><p>• 2024 Paris Olympics; Silver<br>• 2020 Tokyo Olympics; Silver<br>• 2019 FIBA World Cup; Bronze<br>• 2015 EuroBasket; Bronze<br>• 2014 FIBA World Cup; Bronze<br>• 2013 EuroBasket; Gold<br>• 2011 EuroBasket; Silver</p><p>French guard Nando de Colo, 37 years of age, also <a href="https://www.eurohoops.net/en/olympic-games/1706158/batum-and-de-colo-say-goodbye-to-the-french-national-team/" rel="noopener">announced that this would be his final run</a> as well.</p><p>“I tried to do my best, but it’s the team that counts,” de Colo said via Eurohoops. “Everyone did their part of the work during this adventure. I’ve had some good groups, but one like the one this summer, I don’t know. It’s great to have finished with that one.”</p><h2><b>Batum thanks France</b></h2><p>Despite falling short in the gold medal game for the second straight Olympics, Batum is holding his head up high as he’s now part of two of the four medals France has won in Olympic Men’s Basketball.</p><p>“It was planned that it was my last game with this jersey, so to finish in this place, this situation, this match, with this team in this competition, it’s special,” Nicolas Batum <a href="https://twitter.com/Hannnas" rel="noopener">said in French</a>, as translated by French media member Hanna of MVIP. “It’s hard to describe with the heat of the moment but I am happy and a bit sad at the same time. It’s still 15 years of summers that I sacrificed, crazy moments that I was able to live, memories of ups and downs. We play for France and it was an honor, and it was amazing. To finish on a loss is unfortunate, but in that game in particular, I couldn’t have dreamt for a better conclusion with the French National Team.</p><p>“After 15 years in this team, it’s time for me to leave my spot to the younger generation.”</p><p>Batum and France finished higher than likely anyone expected in these Olympics. Following a 2023 FIBA World Cup in which they failed to medal and finished fifth, Batum said he was concerned about returning home.</p><p>“I’ve never been ashamed with this jersey but this is the first time I’m ashamed,” Nicolas Batum said in August 2023 following the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/fiba-world-cup-news-nicolas-batums-reaction-frances-failure-final-tournament">embarrassing FIBA World Cup result</a>. “I’m scared to go home because we let a lot of people down. A lot of people believed in us to do something special. We didn’t do it.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nicolas Batum gave it his all. <a href="https://t.co/KmTq2ECSZi">pic.twitter.com/KmTq2ECSZi</a></p><p>— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomerAzarly/status/1822381866596663734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>France came out second in their respective Olympic group following a brutal loss against Germany that had many questioning if they had what it took to get far in the Olympics.</p><p>Instead, France turned it around by beating Canada — a team many had as the favorites to knock off the USA. They then followed that up with a win against the 2023 FIBA World Cup Champions in Germany to advance to the Gold Medal game.</p><p>By doing so, France became just the first host country since 1996 to secure a medal in Men’s five-on-five basketball. They’re also the third country to ever do so along with the USA and the Soviet Union.</p><p>France head coach Vincent Collet was brutally honest postgame, saying he fully believed his French team had what it took to defeat Team USA in the Gold Medal match.</p><p>“To be honest, today I was expecting more,” Collet said. “The game has shown me that we could do more, but you have to do the perfect gun, and we didn’t do it. That’s all, but I really think with a little bit more, we could really push them much more. We did it, we were not too far, but I’m sure we could do better. But it’s like that, we had the chance, we didn’t take it, so that’s a first, we must think about it next time.”</p><p>France turned the ball over 13 times, shot just 9-of-30 from three, and made only 10 of their 17 free throws. On the flipside, Team USA made up for their 17 turnovers by making 18 three-pointers and making all eight of his free throws.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="fr">2007 : "Le basket français tient son nouveau prodige : Nicolas Batum, 18 ans" </p><p>2024 : Nicolas Batum, CAPITAINE de l'équipe de France de basket, en finale des JO de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a>  🏀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FRAUSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FRAUSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/rqcpfkCasb">pic.twitter.com/rqcpfkCasb</a></p><p>— INA.fr (@Inafr_officiel) <a href="https://twitter.com/Inafr_officiel/status/1822358771789713915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Nicolas Batum signed a two-year deal with the LA Clippers in free agency. He was expected to retire entirely following the 2024 Olympics but found new life in the very unexpected James Harden trade with the Philadelphia 76ers.</p><p>In 1,053 appearances in the NBA, Nicolas Batum has averaged 10.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 0.9 steals per game on 43.7 percent shooting from the field and 36.6 percent from three.</p><p>Batum is one of nine players in NBA history with at least 10,000 points, 1,500 three-pointers, 900 steals, and 600 blocks in his NBA career.. The other eight players are LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Paul Pierce, James Harden, and Vince Carter. Of that nine-man group, Batum has played the fewest minutes and is 6,000 minutes behind eighth-place James Harden.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nicolas Batum retires from French basketball with back-to-back silver medals in Olympics

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/clippers-news-tyronn-lue-wins-gold-nicolas-batum-wins-silver-at-2024-paris-olympics');   ga('set', 'title', 'Clippers’ Tyronn Lue wins gold, Nicolas Batum wins silver at 2024 Paris Olympics');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Nicolas-Batum-Tyronn-Lue-Los-Angeles-Clippers-Team-USA-France-2024-Paris-Olympics.jpeg"><figcaption>CP</figcaption></figure><h1>Clippers’ Tyronn Lue wins gold, Nicolas Batum wins silver at 2024 Paris Olympics</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-08-10T14:38:12-07:00">August 10th, 2:38pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-08-10T17:42:57-07:00">August 10th, 5:42pm</time><address><a>Tomer Azarly</a>Tomer Azarly is in his ninth season as the LA Clippers beat writer and NBA reporter for ClutchPoints. From the Lob City era to the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era, he brings you everything you need to know about the Clippers as well as coast-to-coast coverage of the NBA.In his off time, Tomer likes to play basketball, video games, and draw.You can follow his Twitter for all Clippers content.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Men’s Basketball portion of the 2024 Paris Olympics concluded on Saturday, with LA Clippers coach Tyronn Lue and Team USA defeating Nicolas Batum and France in the Gold Medal Game.</p><p>The United States defeated France, 98-87. It’s the fifth consecutive Gold Medal for the Americans and the 17th time in the country’s history that they took home the Gold.</p><p>Stephen Curry led the way for Team USA with 24 points, five assists, and two steals. Kevin Durant, USA’s all-time leading scorer, chipped in 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists as well. LeBron James added 14 points, six rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals.</p><p>Curry recorded eight three-pointers in the Gold medal match, one game after recording nine three-pointers and 36 points.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">STEPH CURRY SAID NIGHT NIGHT! <a href="https://t.co/GK64wq1Zol">pic.twitter.com/GK64wq1Zol</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1822381363653402948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>France, on the other hand, wins the Silver for the second consecutive Olympics. The 2024 Games were the country’s 11th appearance in the Men’s Basketball Tournament and the fourth time they’ve medaled, all of which have been Silver.</p><p>Victor Wembanyama <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/victor-wembanyama-gets-electrifying-admission-from-dwyane-wade-at-olympics">led the way</a> for Les Bleus with 26 points and seven rebounds on 11-of-19 shooting. Guerschon Yabusele scored 20 points with two rebounds.</p><p>Wembanyama <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1822383783762665618">was seen in tears</a> following his first Olympics with the French National team.</p><p>Clippers forward and French captain Nicolas Batum finished with five points, eight rebounds, and four assists in 25 minutes of play. He led the team in minutes this tournament, playing 31 minutes a game.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Victor Wembanyama gave it his all 💔 <a href="https://t.co/6MyicnG2XK">pic.twitter.com/6MyicnG2XK</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1822383783762665618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Team USA wins the Gold Medal. France took home the Silver. Nikola Jokic and Serbia won the bronze by defeating Dennis Schroder and Germany earlier in the day.</p><p>This victory gives Kevin Durant his fourth medal, the most of any male athlete in Olympic basketball history. Diana Taurasi can win her sixth Gold Medal on Sunday morning when Team USA takes on France in the Women’s Basketball Gold Medal game.</p><p>For Tyronn Lue, it’s his first Olympic Gold Medal, which he adds to the resume that already has two NBA Championships as a player and one NBA title as a head coach.</p><p>For Batum, he’ll likely finish his international career with two Silver Olympic medals, two Bronze medals in the FIBA World Cup, and a Gold, a Silver, as well as a Bronze in Eurobasket.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Clippers’ Tyronn Lue wins gold, Nicolas Batum wins silver at 2024 Paris Olympics

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/clippers-news-nicolas-batum-returns-to-la-in-first-post-paul-george-move');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nicolas Batum returns to Clippers in first post-Paul George move');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Nicolas-Batum-James-Harden-Kawhi-Leoanrd-Los-Angeles-Clippers.jpeg"><figcaption>CP</figcaption></figure><h1>Nicolas Batum returns to Clippers in first post-Paul George move</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-07-01T13:41:48-07:00">July 1st, 1:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-07-01T13:47:32-07:00">July 1st, 1:47pm</time><address><a>Tomer Azarly</a>Tomer Azarly is in his seventh season as the LA Clippers beat writer for ClutchPoints. From the Lob City era to the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era, he brings you everything you need to know about the Clippers.In his off time, Tomer likes to play basketball, video games, and draw.You can follow his Twitter for all Clippers content.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>LOS ANGELES, CA — In one of their first moves in the immediate aftermath of Paul George’s departure, the LA Clippers reunited with an old in Nicolas Batum.</p><p>On Monday morning, Batum and the Clippers agreed to a new deal that would bring the French forward back to Los Angeles, a source confirmed to ClutchPoints. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first to report the news of Batum’s return on a two-year, $9.6 million deal.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Free agent F Nic Batum has agreed on a two-year, $9.6 million deal to join the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN. <a href="https://t.co/UPSxcBt4eX">pic.twitter.com/UPSxcBt4eX</a></p><p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1807846496621977707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Woj’s report initially had Batum back on a two-year, $10 million deal, but it was quickly changed to two-year, $9.6 million, indicating that Batum would be taking the Clippers’ bi-annual exception worth $4.8 million.</p><h2>Batum Batallion Returns</h2><p>Batum’s return marks a reunion of two sides who never wanted to part ways in the first place. The Clippers traded Nicolas Batum as part of the James Harden trade package on the final day of October 2024. The French forward fully intended to retire a Clipper, but the Sixers complicated matters when they insisted on including PJ Tucker in any Harden deal.</p><p>As <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/clippers-news-inside-pj-tuckers-frustrations-and-future-with-clippers">ClutchPoints reported in February</a>, there was essentially no James Harden deal to the Clippers that the Sixers would agree to without the inclusion of PJ Tucker as well. There were contracts on the Clippers that fit into a Harden deal that would’ve also allowed them to retain Nicolas Batum.</p><p>Additionally, a big reason for the delay in getting a Harden deal done was because the Clippers were trying to find ways not to take Tucker’s contract on, including potentially re-routing him to a third team as part of the trade, per source. ClutchPoints NBA insider <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/siegels-scoop-inside-james-harden-sixers-clippers-trade" rel="noopener">Brett Siegel reported on this</a> and the James Harden trade in detail at the time of its completion.</p><p>Facing a time crunch to get a deal done, the Clippers were forced to complete the deal. Batum, along with Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, and KJ Martin, went to Philadelphia while James Harden and PJ Tucker were sent to Los Angeles.</p><p>The trade was tougher than any other trade he’s been a part of.</p><p>“Definitely, yes,” <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/clippers-news-nicolas-batum-breaks-silence-on-trade-to-sixers-i-envisioned-myself-retiring-here">Batum told ClutchPoints</a>. “Yes, because it’s during the season. You have two kids in school, you’ve got a wife. You’ve got everything set up, and you don’t really plan for it. And when I heard [rumors about the trade], I wasn’t supposed to be part of it anyway.</p><p>“But you gotta do your job. You gotta do your job, so you move on. I mean, I never asked to leave. I was good where I was, so just to be in that situation when someone else [requested a trade], you know? And it’s different, you know? I’m like, yeah, but I have nothing to do with it, but this is the NBA. I mean, that’s what you get paid for, that’s the wrong side. But like I said, I got moved to a good team as well. So, you know, I still got a role, I’m still playing. It’s not like I got benched right away. No, I was starting. I was playing a lot. I’m still playing a lot though.”</p><p>Nicolas Batum had previously expressed his desire to retire in Los Angeles as a member of the Clippers, which made the trade an even more difficult pill to swallow. He’s back now, however, and has a chance to do so with this deal.</p><p>Batum declined a chance to return to the Philadelphia 76ers and new star Paul George, who Batum was teammates with in Los Angeles. Joel Embiid was strongly pushing for Batum’s return, sources told ClutchPoints.  The Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks were also among the teams interested in Batum’s services.</p><p>Batum, however, still has his family based out of Los Angeles and calls it home. Additionally, Batum’s familiarity with the Clippers organization and close relationship with head coach Tyronn Lue as well as some of the front office staff members played a part in his desire to return to Los Angeles.</p><p>In his three seasons with the LA Clippers, Batum averaged 7.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game on 44.9 percent shooting from the field and 39.7 percent from three. His value, of course, goes beyond just the box score. Every once in a while, however, he’s able to turn back the clock like he did in Game 4 against the Miami Heat this past postseason.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">20 PTS | 5 REBS | 6 3PM   </p><p>the Nico Batum game.   </p><p>presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/cryptocom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cryptocom</a> <a href="https://t.co/aU2pbsVa11">pic.twitter.com/aU2pbsVa11</a></p><p>— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1780783939944108049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nicolas Batum returns to Clippers in first post-Paul George move

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/victor-wembanyamas-spurs-ascension-sparks-scary-nicolas-batum-warning');   ga('set', 'title', 'Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs ascension sparks scary Nicolas Batum warning');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Victor-Wembanyamas-NBA-ascension-sparks-scary-Nicolas-Batum-warning.jpg"></figure><h1>Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs ascension sparks scary Nicolas Batum warning</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-04-08T22:36:34-07:00">April 8th, 10:36pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-04-08T22:38:38-07:00">April 8th, 10:38pm</time><address><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@LedesmaHector">Hector Ledesma</a>Hector Ledesma has been covering the Spurs in San Antonio since 2005, but he has been following them for even longer than that. An award-winning journalist born and raised in San Antonio, Hector has worked across all types of television and radio platforms. His work extends online and through social media (@HectorLedesmaTV) where he continues that work with ClutchPoints.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Include Philadelphia 76ers forward and fellow Frenchman Nicolas Batum among NBA regulars who are not only impressed by San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama but are also sending warnings to future opponents.</p><p>Following his team’s 133-126 double overtime victory at the Frost Bank Center, Batum shared what he’d just witnessed <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/spurs-news-victor-wembanyamas-historic-rookie-season-continues-never-before-seen-stat-line">regarding the generational talent</a> who scored 33 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, in also relying on his knowledge of the French 20-year-old.</p><p>“I’ve known that kid for a long time. Nobody’s shocked. The only thing is, I didn’t think he would do all that in year one. He’s a special man,” the veteran forward said.</p><p>“There was a quote from [Gregg Popovich] that said something like this is [Wembanyama’s] worst season. That is the scary part. This may be the worst [Wembanyama] we’re going to see for the next 15 or so years. So, I’m glad I won that one tonight. I don’t know how easy it will be to win again in the future.”</p><p>At 35 years old, Batum may be on to something.</p><h2>Nicolas Batum says Victor Wembanyama in ‘perfect spot’</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Victor-Wembanyama-facing-off-against-Nicolas-Batum.jpg"><figcaption>Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Hailed as the best prospect the NBA–maybe all of sports–had seen since LeBron James, Wemby has averaged 21.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per game as a rookie. He’s put up those numbers in under 30 minutes per contest for the better part of the year. And <a href="https://twitter.com/spurs/status/1777129724709318739">they’ve gotten better</a> as the season’s gone along.</p><p>“Up there (pointing to his head), he knows. He knows who he is, he knows what he can become, and he knows how to do it,” Batum said.</p><p>“He’s in the perfect spot for that. The entities, his entourage around him, he’s got everything around him set up to be great. Everything is set up for him to be who we think he can become, and now it’s just up to him,” the 16th-year forward continued.</p><p>The top pick in last summer’s draft has won the the last <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/spurs-news-victor-wembanyama-enters-tim-duncan-david-robinson-territory">three Rookie of the Month awards</a> in the Western Conference. His candidacy for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year is also picking up steam with statistics that surpass another French basketball star who’s won the award three times.</p><p>“I won’t say it’s new but I would say I’m trying to get the best of these positions and get rid of the worst,” Wemby shared regarding the continued work on his game through this first season.</p><p>It’s another set of French natives, though, who Wemby focuses on when it comes to his settling in.</p><p>“They’ve been a part of something we’ll never really be able to measure,” the Spurs leading scorer says of the entourage Batum mentioned. “A great, great part of it. I think I couldn’t have been in better conditions.</p><p>“I think I’m very, very lucky and trying to pay that off every day by giving one hundred percent and surpassing everything, expectations. Anything they could expect from me, I’m trying to make it even better for them.”</p><p>Victor Wembanyama already has. And as Batum notes, he’s just getting started.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs ascension sparks scary Nicolas Batum warning

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/clippers-news-nicolas-batum-breaks-silence-on-trade-to-sixers-i-envisioned-myself-retiring-here');   ga('set', 'title', 'Exclusive: Nicolas Batum breaks silence on trade to Sixers – ‘I envisioned myself retiring here’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nicolas-Batum-Los-Angeles-Clippers-Philadelphia-76ers.jpeg"><figcaption>CP</figcaption></figure><h1>Exclusive: Nicolas Batum breaks silence on trade to Sixers – ‘I envisioned myself retiring here’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-03-24T06:44:20-07:00">March 24th, 6:44am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-03-24T06:45:46-07:00">March 24th, 6:45am</time><address><a>Tomer Azarly</a>Tomer Azarly is in his seventh season as the LA Clippers beat writer for ClutchPoints. From the Lob City era to the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era, he brings you everything you need to know about the Clippers.In his off time, Tomer likes to play basketball, video games, and draw.You can follow his Twitter for all Clippers content.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>LOS ANGELES, CA — If there was ever a member of the LA Clippers who embodied what it meant to be a Clipper, it was Nicolas Batum. A player who had a strong connection with his teammates, coaching staff, front office, and fanbase alike, Batum was everything you’d want in a player, and that’s before you even get to the basketball side of things.</p><p>Sunday marks the return of Batum to Los Angeles to take on Tyronn Lue and the Clippers, the head coach and team that he deemed his saviors following a brutal stint in Charlotte with the Hornets. It’ll be an emotional game for the French forward who, on multiple occasions, said he wanted to retire with the Clippers.</p><p>“You know, it wasn’t easy at first,” Nicolas Batum told ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview ahead of Sunday’s game. “It’s tough when you get traded during the season, like, at the beginning of the season, when you’re a big part of the team — and I was a big part of the team, too. But I was moving to a good team, a good situation, and I got a role right away, so I could really move on into different stuff right away. But that’s the business of basketball.”</p><p>—</p><h2>A Surprise In The Trade</h2><p>The rumors involving James Harden and his trade request to the Clippers surrounded this team for weeks. There were variations of the trade that were expected to happen eventually, but none of which seemed likely to happen once training camp began.</p><p>The Clippers re-signed Russell Westbrook in the offseason and were fully planning on having him be the team’s starting point guard. A couple of forwards — namely Marcus Morris and Robert Covington — had been on the trade block for a while and were fully expected to be a part of whatever James Harden deal the Clippers could eventually get done. A player that was not expected to be included in the Harden trade was Nicolas Batum.</p><p>As <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/clippers-news-inside-pj-tuckers-frustrations-and-future-with-clippers">ClutchPoints reported last month</a>, there was essentially no James Harden deal to the Clippers that the Sixers would agree to without the inclusion of PJ Tucker as well. There were contracts on the Clippers that fit into a Harden deal that would’ve also allowed them to retain Nicolas Batum.</p><p>Additionally, some of the delays in getting a Harden deal done were initially because the Clippers were trying to find ways not to take his contract on, including potentially re-routing him to a third team, per source. ClutchPoints NBA insider <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/siegels-scoop-inside-james-harden-sixers-clippers-trade" rel="noopener">Brett Siegel reported on this</a> and the James Harden trade in detail at the time of its completion.</p><p>Nicolas Batum was among the players included in the trade, but the trade that went down at around 11PM PST and his inclusion in it were not things he found out about until the next morning, when he woke up in order to take his kids to school and attend the Clippers’ morning shootaround.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nicolas-Batum-during-the-game-between-Los-Angeles-Clippers-and-Chicago-Bulls.webp"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>“Definitely, yes,” Batum said when asked if this trade was tougher than any other he’s been a part of. “Yes, because it’s during the season. You have two kids in school, you’ve got a wife. You’ve got everything set up, and you don’t really plan for it. And when I heard [rumors about the trade], I wasn’t supposed to be part of it anyway.</p><p>“But you gotta do your job. You gotta do your job, so you move on. I mean, I never asked to leave. I was good where I was, so just to be in that situation when someone else [requested a trade], you know? And it’s different, you know? I’m like, yeah, but I have nothing to do with it, but this is the NBA. I mean, that’s what you get paid for, that’s the wrong side. But like I said, I got moved to a good team as well. So, you know, I still got a role, I’m still playing. It’s not like I got benched right away. No, I was starting. I was playing a lot. I’m still playing a lot though.”</p><p>Following the trade, Batum took several days away from the team, prompting retirement rumors. It was <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sixers-news-nicolas-batum-rejects-retirement-speculation-after-clippers-trade">later revealed that his wife</a> had been dealing with some health concerns that the Clippers were aware of and dealt him in the middle of.</p><p>There have been rumblings around his retirement for a couple years now, and while he tells ClutchPoints he’ll evaluate that decision at season’s end, Nicolas Batum fully intended to retire with the Clippers. He found a home with the franchise in 2020, had his family established, and wanted to ride off into the sunset wearing a diamond-encrusted championship ring while donning red, white, and blue.</p><p>“I’m still playing on a good team, so I can’t complain, but just the family side. I really envisioned myself retiring here. I bought into the project of the Clippers, and you know how I feel about Ty [Lue]. If I wasn’t for Ty, I would’ve been retired four years ago. I’m still playing now and I’ve got my kids who still got a chance to see me play. My son, he’s getting older, so now he’s enjoying living more around the game of basketball and if it wasn’t for Ty and his staff, I would be retired right now.”</p><p>Batum still has conversations with members of the Clippers, including Tyronn Lue, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, and Moussa Diabate. He’s also kept tabs on the team despite being traded, routinely watching their games from across the country.</p><p>While acknowledging how good James Harden has been, Batum says the Clippers ceiling is ultimately raised because Kawhi Leonard looks like the guy he’s seen take over playoff series.</p><p>“They moved on for a very good player and I understand the business side because I’m just a role player,” Batum told ClutchPoints of James Harden’s fit with the Clippers. “He’s a very, very good player. He brought something different for sure, but they’re very good this year because Kawhi is back to where he was. I think that’s what made that fit so good. He is back to Kawhi. And when Kawhi is Kawhi, whoever you want to be around you is going to be interesting anyway.”</p><p>—</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nicolas-Batum-high-fives-Joel-Embiid-during-Philadelphia-76ers-game-against-Oklahoma-City-Thunder.webp"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h2>Playing With Joel Embiid And Tyrese Maxey</h2><p>Even though he’s no longer a teammate of Leonard’s, Batum is playing alongside an All-Star in Tyrese Maxey and an MVP in Joel Embiid, who could return from his injury soon.</p><p>“When I got here, I played a lot. I was of starting right away. And when you play with two guys like [Tyrese] Maxey and Joel [Embiid], you know, this is where I’m good at, playing around guys like that. I got a great connection with Joel. We know each other for a while. We’re both from Cameroon, we spoke French together and it’s easy to play with him. I mean, the dude is a monster. All I have to do is just give him the ball or find a way to give him the ball. That’s fun. He’s gonna come back soon, I hope. We’ll get back to having some more fun again, and we’ll see what happens.”</p><p>Joel Embiid has been out since February 1st with a meniscus injury in his left knee, but Batum is hopeful he’ll be able to return soon for the playoff run.</p><p>Tyrese Maxey was named to his first All-Star game this year at age 23, and Nicolas Batum sees a lot of San Antonio Spurs legend Tony Parker in his game.</p><p>“I told him when I got here, I said, ‘you remind me of a young Tony [Parker] in your way,’ He’s fast. Fast with the ball, he’s crafty, like he has this mid-range game, but he shoots the three way better than TPA. So I told that and I told that to TP as well. I said, ‘you should sit down with the kid! You two should meet!’</p><p>“It’s just the beginning right now for him. Like I told people when I got here. They’re all like, ‘what do you think about him like?’ He’s going to be an All-Star very soon for a very long time. Philly’s in good hands with a guy like him on the roster.”</p><p>—</p><h2>Batum Gave His All To Clippers</h2><p>Batum was a member of the Clippers team that reached its first Conference Finals in franchise history. The team ultimately fell short following the injury to Kawhi Leonard, but Nicolas Batum played a significant role as small-ball center in the playoffs against towering centers like Kristaps Porzingis, Boban Marjanovic, and Rudy Gobert.</p><p>In his mind, there was no singular favorite moment that he could describe during his time with the Clippers. Instead, Batum referenced his entire tenure in Los Angeles as his favorite and important because of the opportunity to discover himself as well as the joy basketball brought to him and his family.</p><p>“They gave me one last chance,” Batum explained. “I just tried to really, like, be there for whatever I can do for that team, starting one through five, playing point, playing center, whatever. I was trying just to do my job and be there for them. We had some ups and downs. I think I did a good job in three years. I had bad moments, I got good moments, yes, but that was a great part of my life, a great part of my career for sure. I just hope they know I gave everything I had to this franchise. I bought into the project and I’m not there anymore, they moved on for a very good player.”</p><p>Coming out of Charlotte, where fans couldn’t wait for the Hornets to get rid of him, Nicolas Batum was faced with a lot of uncertainly about his future.</p><p>Could he play at a high level anymore? Was it worth trying to see if the Hornets were just a bad fit? How much longer could he keep this up?</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nicolas-Batum-Los-Angeles-Clippers.webp"><figcaption>LA Clippers</figcaption></figure><p>Rudy Gobert was the first player to reach out to Batum once he was waived by the Hornets to request his services with the Utah Jazz.</p><p>Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer, President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank, newly-promoted head coach Tyronn Lue, as well as superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George all reached out to Batum shortly after to express their desire to have him join the Clippers.</p><p>“You can help us win a championship and I’m not talking about being on the bench. I’m talking about being on the court,” <a href="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/clippers-news-nicolas-batum-still-proving-doubters-in-nba-france-wrong-on-retirement">Batum recalled being told</a> in their phone conversation.</p><p>“Have you seen me the last 18 months and what’s happened to me?” replied Batum with a laugh.</p><p>“Yeah, but we don’t care. We know you, you’re a great basketball player, high IQ, you’d be perfect with those guys,” Lawrence Frank responded.</p><p>As it turned out, Batum turned into the perfect role player and a fan favorite. Batum Batallion, a French-themed section of the fanbase, was born seemingly overnight, and he embraced them right back.</p><p>“My last experience, where I came from, it was like a very bad start for me, fanbase-wise, for different reasons,” Batum joked, referring to his Hornets tenure. “[Clippers fans] pretty much endorsed me right away and created something around me. I was pretty shocked and that was great, I loved it. I loved it. The Batum Battalion stuff. I kind of miss it sometimes. I miss it sometimes, yes, but I got a great experience in three years. And you can see, they still send me some messages or whatever, so they’re cool.</p><p>“They’re special though. They’re special. They show me love for three years and they’re still showing me some love. Sunday is going to be cool to see them, for sure.”</p><p>Would Nicolas Batum be open to a return to the Clippers down the line?</p><p>“Hey, I’m not a GM, I’m just a player.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">To the Clippers family, <a href="https://t.co/MQspWdzZxp">pic.twitter.com/MQspWdzZxp</a></p><p>— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) <a href="https://twitter.com/nicolas88batum/status/1720090008110215218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2023</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Exclusive: Nicolas Batum breaks silence on trade to Sixers – ‘I envisioned myself retiring here’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/sixers-news-nicolas-batum-gives-update-on-finger-injury-ahead-of-return-vs-wizards');   ga('set', 'title', 'Sixers’ Nicolas Batum gives update on finger injury ahead of return vs. Wizards');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicolas-Batum-Sixers.webp"></figure><h1>Sixers’ Nicolas Batum gives update on finger injury ahead of return vs. Wizards</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2023-12-06T08:54:07-08:00">December 6th, 8:54am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2023-12-06T08:54:07-08:00">December 6th, 8:54am</time><address><a>Sam DiGiovanni</a>Sam DiGiovanni started at ClutchPoints as an associate editor in 2021 and became the site's Philadelphia 76ers beat reporter ahead of the 2022-23 season. He graduated from Marist College in May of 2022 and has written for TheKnicksWall.com and CenterFieldMarist.com in the past.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>WASHINGTON, D.C. — After missing the Philadelphia 76ers’ previous game, Nicolas Batum should be back in the lineup. The Sixers did not list the veteran forward on the injury report ahead of their upcoming matchup with the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.</p><p>Batum has dealt with a sprain to his right index finger that made him inactive against the Boston Celtics (<a href="https://x.com/TimBontemps/status/1730724643244306572?s=20" rel="noopener">despite optimism</a> that he would be able to play) and caused an early exit in the prior game against the New Orleans Pelicans. After four days without a game, Batum had the time to let his injury heal, saying that the break was “perfect timing-wise” and that he’s feeling better. </p><p>At Philly’s pregame shootaround in Washington D.C., Batum wore a protective wrap around his finger. The 6-foot-8 forward participated in certain, non-contact portions of recent Sixers practices to prevent any exacerbation of his injury while still readying himself for a return.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/2zY92liWDj">pic.twitter.com/2zY92liWDj</a></p><p>— Sam DiGiovanni (@BySamDiGiovanni) <a href="https://twitter.com/BySamDiGiovanni/status/1732416455323648495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Batum said that he still feels pain “pretty much every time” he passes or catches the ball and that he’s trying to get used to the pain. “If it wasn’t my shooting hand it would be different. But that’s my right hand. So, it’s tricky,” he said.</p><p>The Sixers have dropped their last two games but have shown an impressive amount of depth, particularly in their six-point loss to the Boston Celtics where Batum, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sixers-vs-celtics-instant-breakdown-jayson-tatum-tobias-harris" rel="noopener">were all sidelined</a>. The depth Philly has gives it a chance to compete on any given night.</p><p>“That’s the beauty of this team,” Batum said. “Like, you’re trying to compete, you wanna win and sometimes guys will go down, and…it’s a next-man-up team.”</p><p>In addition to Nicolas Batum returning, Kelly Oubre Jr. is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sixers-news-kelly-oubre-jr-breaks-silence-on-rehab-impending-return-to-court" rel="noopener">expected to play</a> after missing the last 11 games with a rib fracture. Especially with their key players expected to be back in action, the Sixers should be able to pick up a win against the lowly Wizards after losing their last two games.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Sixers’ Nicolas Batum gives update on finger injury ahead of return vs. Wizards

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/sixers-news-nicolas-batum-discloses-specific-personal-matter-that-caused-him-to-miss-multiple-games');   ga('set', 'title', 'Sixers’ Nicolas Batum discloses specific personal matter that caused him to miss multiple games');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Sixers-Nicolas-Batum-2.jpeg"></figure><h1>Sixers’ Nicolas Batum discloses specific personal matter that caused him to miss multiple games</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2023-11-19T16:40:40-08:00">November 19th, 4:40pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2023-11-19T16:40:40-08:00">November 19th, 4:40pm</time><address><a>Sam DiGiovanni</a>Sam DiGiovanni started at ClutchPoints as an associate editor in 2021 and became the site's Philadelphia 76ers beat reporter ahead of the 2022-23 season. He graduated from Marist College in May of 2022 and has written for TheKnicksWall.com and CenterFieldMarist.com in the past.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>BROOKLYN, NY — On the court, the start of Nicolas Batum’s tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers has been great. The veteran forward has played very well and earned praise for his well-rounded, highly intelligent game. Unfortunately, he has already had to miss five of his first 10 games with the Sixers due to a personal matter. The good news is that his situation seems to be taken care of now.</p><p>After the Sixers’ <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sixers-vs-nets-instant-breakdown-joel-embiid-mikal-bridges" rel="noopener">big win</a> against the Brooklyn Nets in his return to the starting lineup following his second absence, Batum said that his wife, Lily, “has been through some health issues the last couple weeks before the trade.” The Sixers forward said that he planned to pause his season before the Los Angeles Clippers traded him to the Sixers in the blockbuster that included James Harden.</p><p>“That was always the plan, so it’s not something very fun to go through,” Batum said, “but we have to go through it as a family, and that’s why I’m talking about it right now because I know that it’s private stuff — I can’t really, like, say what it is — but I had to be there and it’s been going on for a couple weeks now. But, hey, sometimes you have to do what you gotta do for your family. It should be okay now. She’s gonna be fine and we’ll be fine.”</p><p>A rumor that Batum would retire after being traded from the Clippers to the Sixers spread online after he first stepped away from the team. After his first absence from the team to tend to his family, Batum <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sixers-news-nicolas-batum-rejects-retirement-speculation-after-clippers-trade" rel="noopener">shot the idea down</a> and said that he had been in constant communication with Philly throughout his time away. Batum said that he texted with head coach Nick Nurse and watched Philly’s games while he was with his family.</p><p>While Batum tallied just three points, three rebounds and three assists in the Sixers’ win over the Nets, his impact popped off the floor because he always knows <a href="https://x.com/ThiagoPHL/status/1726357433533272316?s=20" rel="noopener">the right play to make</a> and can make a wide variety of plays on the court. Joel Embiid lofted some major praise Batum’s way after the win.</p><p>“He’s the key. He’s special,” Embiid said when asked about Batum’s return. “With the way we play, he just fits everything we need. Great shooter, great defender, great passer, great basketball IQ. He just fits everything we need.”</p><p>For Batum, who hopes this is the final time he has to step away from the Sixers, today’s game was about just fitting in and getting his legs back under him. He admitted that the first five minutes on the court were “really weird.” In the end, he was able to help his team tally its second straight win. He has yet to lose a game as a member of the Sixers.</p><p>“I just didn’t try to do too much, just tried to be in the flow of the game, rhythm with the game, play with the team, do the simple stuff, offense and defense,” Batum said. “And in the end, it worked out. It was a great team win.”</p><p>Batum has been a splendid addition to the Sixers so far and should be a major contributor in every one of their key games. The role he plays and the passion he plays it with is already making him a favorite among Philly fans.</p><p>“I think I found out this role like two, three years ago. Been working out pretty well so far,” he said. “So, now I’m gonna try to do the same for [the Sixers]. This is my 16th year, so I have to find a way to stay in the game and keep playing because there’s a lot of young guys coming up in this league. So how can I stay at 34 [years old], almost 35 and be effective for a good team? I like this role. I love it. We’re winning, guys are happy around me, so I love it.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Sixers’ Nicolas Batum discloses specific personal matter that caused him to miss multiple games

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/sixers-news-nicolas-batum-suffers-gruesome-finger-injury-vs-celtics');   ga('set', 'title', 'Sixers’ Nicolas Batum suffers gruesome finger injury vs. Celtics');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Sixers-Nicolas-Batum-1.jpeg"></figure><h1>Sixers’ Nicolas Batum suffers gruesome finger injury vs. Celtics</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2023-11-08T17:25:29-08:00">November 8th, 5:25pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2023-11-08T17:40:09-08:00">November 8th, 5:40pm</time><address><a>Angelo Guinhawa</a>Angelo Guinhawa is a Senior Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He has previously worked for FOX Sports PH and a number of reputable sports media outlets. If he's not writing or watching sports, he's likely scouring online for his next NBA card purchase.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Philadelphia 76ers forward Nicolas Batum was forced to leave Wednesday’s game against the Boston Celtics after a rather gruesome finger injury.</p><p>Batum sustained the injury in the second quarter of the game after contesting a Kristaps Porzingis dunk. As ClutchPoints Sixers beat reporter Sam DiGiovanni noted, Batum <a href="https://twitter.com/BySamDiGiovanni/status/1722420501019013535" rel="noopener">asked to come out</a> of the game following the injury. He then proceeded to the locker room to get checked.</p><p>Replays of the incident showed Batum’s dislocated right index finger.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yeah, that’s going to hurt… <a href="https://t.co/9SoEmSx84e">https://t.co/9SoEmSx84e</a> <a href="https://t.co/xVR8kqA9yi">pic.twitter.com/xVR8kqA9yi</a></p><p>— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/1722421680872546442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2023</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Fortunately for the Sixers, Nicolas Batum’s injury wasn’t as serious as it looked. After halftime, the team announced that the French forward was available to return.</p><h2><b>Nicolas Batum’s Sixers arrival</b></h2><p>Nicolas Batum joined the Sixers as part of the Los Angeles Clippers’ package in the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/clippers-news-james-harden-sixers-trade" rel="noopener">trade for James Harden</a>. Along with Batum, the Clips sent Marcus Morris, Robert Covington and KJ Martin, as well as multiple draft picks and a pick swap to the Sixers.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sixers-news-nicolas-batums-three-word-response-philly-debut" rel="noopener">Batum made his debut</a> for the Sixers last Monday against the Washington Wizards, putting up 11 points, two rebounds and one steal. Both Philly head coach Nick Nurse and superstar center Joel Embiid <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sixers-news-joel-embiid-nick-nurse-rave-about-nicolas-batum-after-impressive-philly-debut" rel="noopener">had high praises</a> for the 16-year NBA vet, especially after logging a team-high plus-minus of +30.</p><p>“It’s great. Any time you have quick-trigger shooters, it just makes it easier, especially for me because every team wants to double and send two or three guys at me every single time,” Embiid said of Batum.</p><p>“Any time you have guys like that that can get it up quick and actually make them, I think it’s great for us and that forces the other team to make a decision. Do you wanna keep doubling? Or are you gonna allow those shots? And we’ll take whatever is available.”</p><p>Hopefully, though, Batum’s finger injury doesn’t limit his performance moving forward.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Sixers’ Nicolas Batum suffers gruesome finger injury vs. Celtics

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/sixers-news-nicolas-batums-three-word-response-philly-debut');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nicolas Batum’s three word response to Sixers debut');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_0205.jpeg"></figure><h1>Nicolas Batum’s three word response to Sixers debut</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2023-11-08T14:14:13-08:00">November 8th, 2:14pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2023-11-08T14:34:06-08:00">November 8th, 2:34pm</time><address><a>David Yapkowitz</a>David is an NBA Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is based in Los Angeles and currently covers basketball at every level from NBA/WNBA to men/women college and boys/girls high school.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After an entire offseason and preseason of speculation, the Philadelphia 76ers <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/clippers-news-patrick-beverley-offers-his-two-cents-on-los-angeles-after-james-harden-trade" rel="noopener">finally completed</a> a James Harden trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. In return, the Sixers received Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris Sr. and K.J. Martin. After a brief interlude due to a personal matter, Batum made his Sixers debut this week. He immediately fit in with the team and provided a huge boost off the bench. Following the game, Batum gave an <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/76ers/news/how-76ers-made-nic-batums-debut-vs-wizards-easy-little-prep" rel="noopener">initial three-word response</a> to playing with his new team as per Justin Grasso of All 76ers.</p><p>“It was fun,” Batum said. “I just try to go out there and play. You know when you play with guys like that, Joel [Embiid], or Tyrese [Maxey], or Tobias [Harris], Pat [Beverley], guys that are very good at basketball first, very high IQ, just easy to play the game, play around those guys. Find a way, just find the good spot, and it’s just easy.”</p><p>Nicolas Batum finished with 11 points, two rebounds and one steal in 17 minutes off the bench for the Sixers. He shot 4-5 from the field and 3-4 from the three point line. He’s a veteran and someone who can really help this Sixers team immediately.</p><p>In three games for the Clippers this season prior to the trade, Batum had been playing 18 minutes per game off the bench. He was averaging only 2.7 points per game. 2.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocked shots with splits of 37.5 percent shooting from the field. 28.6 percent shooting from the three point line and he has yet to take a free throw this season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nicolas Batum’s three word response to Sixers debut

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/sixers-news-joel-embiid-nick-nurse-rave-about-nicolas-batum-after-impressive-philly-debut');   ga('set', 'title', 'Joel Embiid, Nick Nurse rave about Nicolas Batum after impressive Sixers debut');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Sixers-Nick-Nurse-Nicolas-Batum-Joel-Embiid.jpeg"></figure><h1>Joel Embiid, Nick Nurse rave about Nicolas Batum after impressive Sixers debut</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2023-11-07T07:08:56-08:00">November 7th, 7:08am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2023-11-07T07:08:56-08:00">November 7th, 7:08am</time><address><a>Sam DiGiovanni</a>Sam DiGiovanni started at ClutchPoints as an associate editor in 2021 and became the site's Philadelphia 76ers beat reporter ahead of the 2022-23 season. He graduated from Marist College in May of 2022 and has written for TheKnicksWall.com and CenterFieldMarist.com in the past.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>PHILADELPHIA — In his Philadelphia 76ers debut, Nicolas Batum retired the idea that he wouldn’t be there to boost his new team.</p><p>Batum made his first four shots and impacted the game on both ends as the Sixers edged the Washington Wizards in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sixers-vs-wizards-instant-breakdown-joel-embiid-jordan-poole" rel="noopener">a high-scoring contest</a>. He posted a team-high plus-minus of +30 along with 11 points, two rebounds and a steal in 17 minutes.</p><p>Following the game, Nick Nurse said that Batum “really just does a lot of things at a high level. He thinks the game, um, he plays both ends. He stretches the floor he can pass…He just does a lot of things that impact the game winning-wise. And it doesn’t seem like it’s ever a selfish play or any of that kind of stuff. He’s just a good basketball player.”</p><p>After being traded along with other players and assets in the most recent James Harden trade, Batum had left the Sixers almost immediately to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sixers-news-nicolas-batum-rejects-retirement-speculation-after-clippers-trade" rel="noopener">tend to a personal matter</a>. He made it back just a few days ago and stayed ready to contribute to his new team. Joel Embiid really liked what he saw.</p><p>“It’s great. Any time you have quick-trigger shooters, it just makes it easier,” Embiid said. “Especially, for me because every team wants to double and send two or three guys at me every single time. Any time you have guys like that that can get it up quick and actually make them, I think it’s great for us and that forces the other team to make a decision. Do you wanna keep doubling? Or are you gonna allow those shots? And we’ll take whatever is available.”</p><p>Batum’s release on his jump shot is not only <a href="https://x.com/sixers/status/1721688562653921560?s=20" rel="noopener">quick and high</a> but is something he’s comfortable with on the move. Nurse sees the value of someone so big — standing 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan — being able to shoot such tough shots.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">THREE FOR THREE FROM THREE!</p><p>cc: <a href="https://twitter.com/nicolas88batum?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nicolas88batum</a> <a href="https://t.co/aJlDBLW7Qz">pic.twitter.com/aJlDBLW7Qz</a></p><p>— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1721690291281752148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2023</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“It’s important because I think you’re gonna have to have to be able to squeeze those off against really good  teams that are chasing hard,” Nurse said. “And sometimes that’s your shot and you gotta be able to get ’em up. You can tell he’s put a lot of time into his craft to be able to fly off a screen and get turned around and get his feet set and shoot it so confidently. So, it’s nice. Somebody that can do that gives you a whole different kind of section of a playbook of stuff you can run for guys coming off shooting.”</p><p>Batum had a pretty good game for someone who, as he described it, “had no idea like what to do out there.” Being away from the team only delayed his timeline to get ready. He said that it was “fun” to be on Embiid’s side rather than on the other side and that Tyrese Maxey will be an All-Star soon.</p><p>To start his Sixers tenure, though, Batum’s minutes could be inconsistent with Nurse trying to mix and match different guys to see who works the best. But he isn’t worried about that at all.</p><p>“I don’t care about that,” Batum said of potentially having a different role from game to game. “Starting, off the bench, five, 15, 20 minutes. As long as we’re winning games, I’m good. So, that’s his job. I mean, that’s pretty tough to deal with it, so I don’t want to have pressure about it. So anything he asks me to do, I’m gonna do it.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Joel Embiid, Nick Nurse rave about Nicolas Batum after impressive Sixers debut

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/sixers-news-nicolas-batum-rejects-retirement-speculation-after-clippers-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Sixers’ Nicolas Batum rejects retirement speculation after Clippers trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Sixers-Nicolas-Batum.jpeg"></figure><h1>Sixers’ Nicolas Batum rejects retirement speculation after Clippers trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2023-11-06T09:15:25-08:00">November 6th, 9:15am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2023-11-06T09:20:42-08:00">November 6th, 9:20am</time><address><a>Sam DiGiovanni</a>Sam DiGiovanni started at ClutchPoints as an associate editor in 2021 and became the site's Philadelphia 76ers beat reporter ahead of the 2022-23 season. He graduated from Marist College in May of 2022 and has written for TheKnicksWall.com and CenterFieldMarist.com in the past.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>PHILADELPHIA — Nicolas Batum is back with the Philadelphia 76ers after tending to a personal matter. The veteran forward was included in the trade that sent James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers but then almost immediately left the team to tend to a family matter.</p><p>Batum stepped away from the team for roughly four days, returning yesterday. At the Sixers’ morning shootaround ahead of their matchup against the Washington Wizards, he and the rest of the Sixers’ newcomers — Robert Covington, K.J. Martin and Marcus Morris Sr. — ran through plays. Assistant coach Bobby Jackson directed them on where to screen and cut to as they got some light work in before their next game.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nicolas Batum running through plays with the other new Sixers and Jaden Springer at pregame shootaround <a href="https://t.co/2xEtaQr2Vz">pic.twitter.com/2xEtaQr2Vz</a></p><p>— Sam DiGiovanni (@BySamDiGiovanni) <a href="https://twitter.com/BySamDiGiovanni/status/1721553377241256267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“I’m trying to. It’s not easy,” Batum said of learning the Sixers’ playbook and game plan. “You’ve been through all training camp and then you gotta run a new system in 24 hours. So, I know it’s gonna take me a couple practices, maybe a couple games just to get the system, get to know the new guys…I’m gonna try to do it quickly.”</p><p>There’s never an appropriate time for a personal matter — Batum described it as a “very bad situation, family-wise” — to occur but the timing of Batum’s situation raised some eyebrows given how closely it occurred after the trade. Although he did <a href="https://x.com/BySamDiGiovanni/status/1719771481796747384?s=20" rel="noopener">show up to the team’s practice facility</a> the day the trade was made official along with the other new Sixers, speculation that would retire instead of joining the Sixers ran rampant. </p><p>Batum loved being with the Clippers and playing for Tyronn Lue, saying previously that he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/clippers-news-tyronn-lue-reacts-to-nicolas-batum-saying-he-saved-his-life" rel="noopener">saved his life</a>. He was rumored to be considering retirement after this NBA season, so the notion that he would simply forgo the rest of the season rather than join his new team on the other side of the country made the rounds online. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse saying he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sixers-news-nick-nurse-gives-update-on-nicolas-batum-new-philly-players-from-james-harden-trade" rel="noopener">didn’t know when exactly</a> when Batum would be back fueled the theory. </p><p>Lily Batum, Nicolas’ wife, reacted to the trade by <a href="https://x.com/LilyEBatum/status/1719355886827938138?s=20" rel="noopener">invoking the message from Lauren Holiday</a>, the wife of Jrue Holiday. After the star guard was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks in the Damian Lillard blockbuster, Lauren posted a message about loyalty to a team and the difficulties of getting traded at a moment’s notice.</p><p>When confronted with the idea that he would retire right after the trade, Batum outright denied that he was contemplating retirement and said that the Sixers’ brass and head coach Nick Nurse knew he was tending to a serious situation the whole time.</p><p>“I was in constant communication with the team, with coach, with Daryl [Morey, the Sixers’ president of basketball operations], with Elton [Brand, the team’s general manager], with everybody,” Batum said. “They gave me their permission to go…I mean, something’s going on I gotta take care of. So, the team knew. I [did not] consider retirement. I don’t know where that [came] from.”</p><p>Batum said that his new teammates have been helpful as he looks to get acclimated to the Sixers. Despite the challenge of learning a new system on the fly with (mostly) new teammates, he’s ready to take it on.</p><p>“I’m here. I’m okay to be here. I’m happy to be here,” Batum said. “I’m not retiring or anything I just had to take care of something. Sometimes, stuff is bigger than basketball, so I have to deal with it, I have to get away to take care of it first.”</p><p>Batum indicated that he would be ready to play if the Sixers needed him. Nick Nurse has exercised caution when it comes to playing the new guys, waiting until they each got a full practice under them to give one of them (Covington) <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sixers-vs-suns-instant-breakdown-joel-embiid-kevin-durant" rel="noopener">real playing time</a>. K.J. Martin has seen garbage-time minutes and Marcus Morris Sr., who didn’t play in the regular season or preseason prior to the trade, has not yet seen the court for Philly.</p><p>Whenever his chance comes to play with the Sixers and Joel Embiid, whom he has known for a while, Batum will be doing his best to be ready.</p><p>“It’s a new coach, new routine, new habits, new terminology, new game, new calls, new everything,” Nicolas Batum said. “I‘ve been in the NBA for a long time, been a basketball player for a long time. So, you know, it’s gonna be okay.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
4.0	2.8	1.1	0.5	0.7

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
4.0	2.8	1.1	0.5	0.7

Nicolas Batum news

Nicolas
Batum news