Clippers Forward Declines Option, Becomes Free Agent

Players who hold options for next season have until June 29th to declare their intentions. For Los Angeles Clippers veteran forward Nicolas Batum, $3.3M just wasn't going to get it done for him next season.

Clippers F Nic Batum will decline his $3.3M player option and become a free agent, sources tell ESPN. There’s expected to be mutual interest with Clippers and Batum on reaching a new deal in July.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2022

The 14-year veteran, Batum has declined the option and will become a free agent. But as reported by NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, it's unlikely Batum looks for a new team, as there is "mutual interest" between him and the Clippers to come to an agreement on a new contract this summer.

Batum is 33, and has spent the last two seasons with the Clippers following 5 years with the Charlotte Hornets, and his first 7 seasons in the league with the Portland Trail Blazers. 

After being waived by Charlotte in 2020, when he averaged just 3 points a game, it looked like his time in the NBA might be up. But the Clippers scooped him up at the minimum, and as Batum says about their head coach, “Tyronn Lue saved my life.” More evidence that Batum isn't going anywhere this offseason. 

He's averaged 11.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in his 14 years, and really makes his hay behind the 3-point line. His career average there is 36.3%, but he's been over the 40% mark the past two years in LA.

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports