Los Angeles Clippers veteran forward Nicolas Batum has opted to decline his $4.9 million player option for the 2025-26 NBA season, setting the stage for him to become an unrestricted free agent when the market opens on July 1.
Despite his decision to test free agency, both Batum and the Clippers are reportedly interested in continuing their partnership and working toward a new contract.
The Clippers have a couple of options for retaining the 17-year NBA veteran. They can offer Batum a slight salary increase to approximately $5.6 million by using his non-Bird rights.
Alternatively, if they want to make a more competitive offer, the team could allocate a portion of their Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, which would allow them to pay Batum a higher first-year salary and potentially lock him in for a multi-year deal.
Batum played a key rotational role for the Clippers throughout the 2024-25 season, appearing in 78 regular-season games.
He averaged 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game, contributing mostly as a stretch forward and veteran presence off the bench.
His impact increased in the postseason, where he logged 24.6 minutes per game and posted averages of 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds.
Notably, Batum remained a reliable floor spacer, hitting 39.4% of his three-point attempts during LA’s first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.
As a seasoned, versatile defender and capable outside shooter, Batum remains a valuable asset for a contending team like the Clippers.
While other franchises may express interest in his services during free agency, the mutual desire for a reunion in Los Angeles gives the Clippers a solid chance to re-sign the veteran forward.
Nicolas Batum Declining $4.9M Player Option With Clippers https://t.co/GQy7bnSUx8
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 28, 2025
