Shams: Clippers jump out of contract after Harden! Batum becomes free agent

Clippers forward Nicholas Batum will give up the $4.9 million player option in the 2025-26 season to become a free agent, sources told ESPN on Saturday.

According to sources, there is a common interest between the NBA veteran and the Clippers and a new agreement is expected. According to ESPN's Bobby Max, the Clippers can start his next contract for $5.6 million (equivalent to 120% of Batum's 2024-25 salary) or use some of their $14.1 million non-taxpayer middle class exception clause.

Now that Batum is entering his 18th season in the NBA, he has said that the upcoming season is likely to be his last season and the possibility is "very high".

The 36-year-old French striker averaged less than 18 minutes of playing time with the Clippers last season, but made a total of 78 appearances, including 8 starts. He is 6-foot-10, and remains a great defender and can open the field with a precise 3-pointer.

Batum's versatility was fully demonstrated in the first round series between the Clippers and the Denver Nuggets. In the playoffs, he averaged nearly 40% of his three-pointers, shooting 4.7 percentage points, and contributing 1.7 blocks and 0.9 steals. Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations at the Clippers, said before the offseason that the team "100%" hopes Batum can return in the 2025-26 season.

Batum has played for the Clippers for most of the past five seasons, after he played for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Charlotte Hornets for a long time. As a member of the French national team, he has won the Olympic silver medal twice.

It is worth mentioning that the Clippers are the core of the Clippers. Harden has also given up his player choice and entered the free market with his fellow players. I wonder if the Clippers can make a difference in this year's market? Or is it going to be useless? If Harden joins the Mavericks in the end, the Clippers will be really embarrassing.