Veteran forward Nicolas Batum will not be re-signing with the Sixers in free agency, sources tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The news is mildly surprising, as Batum was viewed as perhaps the team’s most likely unrestricted free agent to return to Philadelphia after he played well for the 76ers during the regular season and playoffs. In addition to heady play-making and solid defense, the 35-year-old converted 39.9% of his three-point attempts in 57 regular season games with the Sixers (25.9 MPG).
Batum made $11.7MM last season and has a $17.5MM cap hold. In order to create significant cap room, the Sixers have to renounce Batum’s cap hold and will thus lose his Bird rights. That means the only practical ways to retain him would be to either use cap room or the room exception, which starts at just under $8MM. Considering Philadelphia is trying to sign Paul George and just agreed to a two-year, $10MM deal with Andre Drummond, there might not be much money left for Batum.
If he wants to continue his NBA career, Batum should draw interest from a variety of contenders on the open market — there were rumors last August that he might retire after the 2023/24 season, though he does plan to suit up for his native France in the Paris Olympics this summer.
I mean it makes sense if they get Paul George, but Batum makes winning plays so he will definitely be missed
Batum is looking for one year deal market value, not the vat min
Good thing nobody suggested the vat min
Don’t really get the Drummond signing, but this definitely hurts them, as of now. He gave them exactly what they needed as a versatile option that can do a bit of everything, and complemented there other pieces at the 2-4 around him, as well as Embiid
Please, Heat…he’s the top guy on my list for them still left, #2 overall…I think he’s worth more than their options, but I could see him ignoring financial for the right situation…
GS would also be extremely interesting, as that’s a spot they’ve needed the last couple of years,but similarnozsue to the Heat in what they could offer
Still though, with lack of options on the wing/4 around the league, yoy would think he’d get paid again
Sure hope this one isn’t true.
Batum would be a fantastic backup for numerous playoff teams.
I saw someone say he promised his wife he wouldn’t play more than one year in Philly. I doubt he sold his home in LA. LAC or LAL or even GSW make sense for one last yr.
I highly doubt this dude gets more than 1-2 years at like 4million.
As a Warriors fan, I’m begging…please get this guy on my team next season
He was never resigning, it was a bit of a question mark if he was going to report there after the trade. He wants to be on the west coast with his family.
Batum is planning on retiring after the Olympics in his home country in Paris.
I wish the Bulls could sign him to mentor and help Buzelis, but I’m almost positive that Batum is going to end up in California…