The first blockbuster trade of the 2023-24 NBA season was completed last week between the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers. James Harden was the centerpiece of the deal, ending a months-long standoff between the former MVP and 76ers’ general manager, Daryl Morey.
One of the players involved in the trade is veteran forward, Nicolas Batum. Batum joined the Clippers in 2020 following his release from the Charlotte Hornets. He has been a valuable piece of their rotation the last few seasons, providing veteran leadership and versatility on the court.
But, to get the deal done for Harden, he had to be included. It was a move that he was reportedly not thrilled about. Reports surfaced that Batum was contemplating retirement instead of reporting to the 76ers as he didn’t want to move his family across the country.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nicolas Batum, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Batum signed a two-year deal with the Clippers in the 2022 offseason, so it was clear that Los Angeles was where he wanted to be. However, the reports of him contemplating retirement are false.
Via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Batum was away from the team because of a very bad situation family-wise that he needed to attend to. He never contemplated retirement and isn’t sure where that came from. Batum said that he was in constant communication with the people he needed to be within the organization, as they were aware of what was going on.
While it was likely frustrating for Batum to reveal anything that was going on personally, at least the air has now been cleared. He is committed to playing for the 76ers and should be making his debut with the franchise sooner than later after being traded last week.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nicolas Batum, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Batum should factor into the mix for Nick Nurse in the wing and frontcourt rotation. Nurse has his work cut out for him figuring out how to allocate minutes for so many new faces after having a rotation set the first two weeks of the season.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
