Free to commit wherever he wants, Nicolas Batum signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, whose jersey he has already worn from 2020 to 2023. Klay Thompson, not retained by Golden State, has signed with the vice-champion, Dallas.
Free agency, the market for free players, is in full swing in the NBA, and this Monday evening, one of the many signings concerns a French player: Nicolas Batum. The 35-year-old winger no longer mentioned his future beyond the 2024 Olympic Games, even admitting at the beginning of last season that this might be his last year in the NBA. But the Norman is going for another round! Or even two, since according to the always well-informed Adrian Wojnarowski ofESPNNicolas Batum has signed for the next two seasons, and $9.6 million, with the Los Angeles Clippers. He will therefore make his return to a franchise where he had had good times and which he had left with regretsArriving in November 2022 in California after being released by the Charlotte Hornets where he was going through a nightmare, Batum spent three seasons with the Clippers, averaging around 7 points in 24 minutes.
But just before the start of last season, he was sent to Philadelphia as part of the trade (in particular) for James Harden. Disappointed at the time and forced to leave his wife and children in California, Nicolas Batum had finally enjoyed playing for the 76ers, in a totally different role, averaging 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 26 minutes. At the end of his contract since this Sunday, the French international (166 caps, 1709 points) could commit wherever he wanted, and as the Clippers wanted, he didn’t hesitate for long. Nicolas Batum will be able to approach the Olympic Games with a light heart!
Dallas gets Thompson!
But in the United States, the player in the center of all attention this Monday is Klay Thomson. A legendary player for Golden State, with whom he won four championship titles, the 34-year-old guard was not kept by the Warriors, where he was coming to the end of his contract on Sunday. And it was finally Dallas who managed to attract him! The reigning vice-champion will have him sign a three-year contract (the last season being a “player option) and 50 million dollars, says ESPNtime to sort out some details. Thompson remains on a frustrating season, averaging 18 points, sometimes coming off the bench.
Drafted in 2011 by the Warriors, where he formed a formidable trio with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, he will now form a fiery trio in Dallas, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Other signings of the day include Tyrese Maxey’s five-year contract extension with Philadelphia and Derrick White’s four-year contract extension with Boston, Delon Wright’s one-year deal with Milwaukee, Drew Eubanks’ two-year deal with Utah, Tobias Harris’ two-year deal with Detroit, and Isaiah Hartenstein’s three-year deal with Oklahoma City.
