Sources: Batum opts out; interest in Clips return

LA Clippers forward Nicolas Batum is declining his $4.9 million player option for the 2025-26 season to become a free agent, sources told ESPN on Saturday.

There is mutual interest between the NBA veteran and the Clippers in a new deal together, sources said. The Clippers are allowed to start Batum's next contract at $5.6 million (120% of his 2024-25 salary) or use some of their $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

Now heading into his 18th year in the NBA, Batum has said there is a "very, very good chance" that this upcoming season will be his last.

The 36-year-old French forward played less than 18 minutes per game for the Clippers last season but made 78 appearances with eight starts. He remains a good defender at 6-foot-10 and spaces the court with a quick-trigger 3-point shot.

Batum's versatility shined in the Clippers' first-round series loss to the Denver Nuggets. He shot nearly 40% on 4.7 3s per game in the postseason to go along with 1.7 blocks and 0.9 steals.

Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said ahead of the offseason that the team "1,000%" hopes Batum returns in 2025-26.

Batum has spent most of the past five seasons with the Clippers after long stints with the Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets. He is a two-time Olympic silver medalist as part of the French national team.