Nicolas Batum is off the Los Angeles Clippers roster, a move confirmed by the team's official roster on Monday, Sept. 21. The move follows a Monday report from hoopsrumors, at 45% confidence, that he had announced his retirement.
The move
Nicolas Batum, a 37-year-old guard-forward entering his 18th NBA season, is off the Los Angeles Clippers roster, a move detected Monday, Sept. 21 from the team's official roster. He came off the Clippers roster entirely, with no destination club listed. The move follows a Monday report from hoopsrumors, titled "Nicolas Batum Announces Retirement," carried at 45% confidence. Batum had spent the 2025-26 season with the Clippers, appearing in 74 games.
The money
Batum's 2026-27 salary was listed as a $5.9 million team option, the only contract year on file for him. The Clippers carry a payroll of $193.7 million across 19 contracts for 2026-27, over the $165.0 million cap and under the $200.4 million tax line. The team also sits under the $209.0 million first apron and the $221.7 million second apron.
The fit
Last season Batum averaged 4.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 17.5 minutes across 74 games. The Clippers' rotation last season was led by James Harden (35.4 minutes, 25.4 points) and Kawhi Leonard (32.1 minutes, 27.9 points), with Bennedict Mathurin (28.0 minutes, 17.4 points) and Derrick Jones Jr. (27.0 minutes, 10.1 points) also logging heavy minutes. The Clippers now list 21 players on the roster, against a standard limit of 15 plus three two-way spots.
Did Nicolas Batum retire?
hoopsrumors reported Monday, Sept. 21 that he announced his retirement, carried at 45% confidence. Retirement is not announced beyond that report.
What was Batum's contract for 2026-27?
A $5.9 million team option, the only contract year on file for him.
How many players are on the Clippers roster now?
21, against a standard limit of 15 plus three two-way spots.