NBA: Clippers bring back Nicolas Batum on FA deal

Veteran forward Nicolas Batum agreed to return to the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $9.6 million free-agent deal, ESPN reported Monday.

Batum, 35, was traded from the Clippers to the Philadelphia 76ers in November as part of the three-team deal that brought James Harden to Los Angeles.

In 57 games (38 starts) with the 76ers last season, Batum averaged 5.5 points with 4.2 rebounds and shot 39.9 percent from 3-point range.

In 207 games with the Clippers, going back to the 2020-21 season, Batum averaged 7.3 points with 4.2 rebounds, while shooting 39.7 percent from distance. In 16 NBA seasons, the first seven of which were with the Portland Trail Blazers, Batum averaged 10.4 points and 5.0 rebounds.

The Clippers lost Paul George to the 76ers in free agency on Sunday. Harden and Russell Westbrook re-signed with the team, according to reports, while Derrick Jones Jr. was added in free agency. — Field Level Media/Reuters