Nicolas Batum announces basketball retirement at 37

Nicolas Batum announced his retirement on Monday following 1,205 games over 18 seasons with four NBA franchises.

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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.”

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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.

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–Field Level Media

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This story was originally published September 21, 2026 at 1:42 PM.