Clippers re-sign veteran Nicolas Batum
(L-R) Rajon Rondo #4, DeMarcus Cousins #15, Marcus Morris Sr. #8 and Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers react during the second half of game one of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 20, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
The Los Angeles Clippers re-signed veteran forward Nicolas Batum on Friday.
Terms were not disclosed for the 32-year-old free agent, who averaged 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 67 games (38 starts) last season with the Clippers.
“Nico is a terrific player, a selfless teammate and a consummate professional, who lifts us in a lot of different ways,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a news release. “He fit in perfectly from the beginning, and we’re grateful he’s chosen to return.”
Batum added 8.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 blocks in 19 games (10 starts) as the Clippers reached the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history.
He owns career averages of 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 856 games (752 starts) with the Portland Trail Blazers (2008-15), Charlotte Hornets (2016-20) and Clippers.
Batum helped France win a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics this summer. He had five points and six rebounds in the 87-82 loss to Team USA in the gold medal game.
