Nicolas Batum announces retirement, officially ending his 18-year NBA career.

September 22 - According to ESPN , Nicolas Batum announced his retirement, ending his 18 - year NBA career.

Nicolas Batum, 37 , announced his decision via social media video on Monday. The French forward stated that he has had a 20 -year professional basketball career, including 18 years in the NBA and 15 years representing the French national team, and now it's time to retire.

Nicolas Batum was drafted 25th overall in the first round of the 2008 NBA draft. He has played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers throughout his career . He spent most of his last six seasons with the Clippers. In the 2025-26 season, Batum played 74 games, averaging 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Throughout his NBA career, Batum averaged 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 37.1% . He played a total of 76 playoff games and reached the Western Conference Finals with the Clippers in 2021 .

It's worth noting that Batum helped the French men's basketball team win silver medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, bronze medals at the 2014 and 2019 World Cups, and medals at the 2011 , 2013 , and 2015 EuroBasket tournaments. He stated that France's victory over Germany in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics was " the best basketball moment " of his career .

This summer, the Clippers declined Batum 's $ 5.9 million team option for the 2026-27 season , making him a free agent.

Image source: Internet