Nicolas Batum announced his retirement on Monday following 1,205 games over 18 seasons with four NBA franchises.
The 37-year-old French forward averaged 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists with the Portland Trail Blazers (2008-15), Charlotte Hornets (2015-20), Los Angeles Clippers (2020-23, 2024-26) and Philadelphia 76ers (2023-24).
Batum shared a video on social media to explain his decision.
“After 21 years, it’s time for me to go home,” Batum said. “It’s been 25 years since I left, 20 years as a pro. That’s a lot. Eighteen years in the NBA, 15 with the French national team.”
Batum helped the French national team win Olympic silver medals in Tokyo (2020) and Paris (2024), and bronze medals at the FIBA World Cup in 2014 and 2019.
The 6-foot-7 Batum was a first-round draft pick (25th overall) by the Houston Rockets in 2008 but was dealt to the Blazers in a draft night trade. He ranks tied for 29th in NBA history (with Donovan Mitchell) in 3-point field goals with 1,842.
