ASVEL is reportedly exploring a move for French veteran Nicolas Batum as Tony Parker continues reshaping the club into a more ambitious EuroLeague contender. According to SDNA.gr’s report on Wednesday, July 8, Parker wants to bring Batum back to France after the forward spent the last 18 seasons in the NBA.
Batum, 37, became a free agent after completing a two-year, $11.4 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. He spent the 2025-26 NBA season with the Clippers, appearing in 74 games and averaging 4.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 17.5 minutes per game while shooting 40.3% from the field and 40.4% from three-point range.
The potential move would reunite Batum with Parker, his longtime teammate with the French national team. The two players were part of France’s successful international era, including the country’s first EuroBasket title in 2013 and multiple Olympic and World Cup campaigns.
Batum has built a decorated professional career since being selected No. 25 overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2008 NBA Draft. He played seven seasons in Portland before joining the Charlotte Hornets in 2015, where he averaged a career-high 15.1 points per game in the 2016-17 season along with 5.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists.
Over his 18 NBA seasons, Batum has appeared in 1,205 regular-season games, averaging 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 37.1% from three-point range.
ASVEL is undergoing a major transformation after finishing 20th in the 2025-26 EuroLeague regular-season standings with an 8-30 record.
The French club has already made significant changes, including replacing head coach Pierric Poupet with Parker. ASVEL has also added several experienced players, including Sylvain Francisco, Nick Weiler-Babb, Armoni Brooks, Both Gach and Yves Pons.
ASVEL has reportedly increased its budget significantly and is targeting established EuroLeague names, with former NBA guard Patty Mills also mentioned as a potential target after his 2025-26 season with Tenerife.
For Batum, a return to France would represent a new chapter after nearly two decades in the NBA. His last European season came in 2007-08 with Le Mans Sarthe Basket before he began his NBA career with Portland.
