The Philadelphia 76ers got handed a massive opportunity to reunite with a much-needed free agent until it was snatched from them before they could even move an inch.
With free agency just right around the corner, those with team or player options have kickstarted their respective summer slates. For former 76ers forward Nicolas Batum, that means declining his $4.9 million player option to return to the Clippers next season to enter the open market.
Notwithstanding the move, Batum and the Clippers are reportedly mutually interested in coming to terms on a new deal to keep him in LA moving forward, Ultimately, this could just end up being a way for both camps to extend their partnership and secure more tenureship for the 17-year-veteran.
Naturally, when the news came out, it was difficult to fully foreclose the possibility of Batum returning to Philadelphia. The 76ers still covet someone of his archetype, and the Frenchman remains one of the best low-cost free agents for the team given his positive impact when he donned the team’s colors during the 2023-24 campaign.
Count the 76ers out in the Nicolas Batum “sweepstakes” in free agency
Unfortunately, that appears ot be a moot cause now.
A certain 76ers fan poked fun at Batum under the same tweet from ESPN’s Shams Charania, who first broke the news, clamoring for the veteran forward to return to Philly to complete an “unfinished business” while leaving his wife in Los Angeles.
Batum’s madame, Lily, immediately quoted the tweet and appeared to be thrown off by the thought of his husband heading to Philadelphia as a free agent, even calling it a “stupid idea” in the replies.
— 𝕃𝕚𝕝𝕪 𝔼.𝔹𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕞 🪷 (@LilyEBatum) June 29, 2025
76ers fans can probably bid adieu to the prospect of Batum joining the 76ers this offseason and spurning the Clippers, which rehabilitated his value over the last five years. His family was a huge reason behind him returning to LA last year, and they will most likely have a major say on his free agency decision.
The Frenchman would have been a perfect complementary piece next to Philadelphia’s star-studded players and litany of scorers. He is a highly effective ball mover, a precise three-point shooter, and a very handy and reliable defender who comes up huge when it matters the most, especially in the postseason.
But for now, the Philadelphia 76ers have to start looking elsewhere to mitigate those concerns because unfortunately, Nicolas Batum is not walking out of that door.