NBA
NB
#33

Nicolas Batum

Forward · LA Clippers · 6-7, 230 lb · Born December 14, 1988 · Lisieux, France · Drafted 2008 Round 1, Pick 25 (Houston, traded to Portland)
2x Olympic SilverEuroBasket Gold3-and-D Wing
NBALA ClippersForwards
Compare:vs Lopezvs Garlandvs Jr.vs Zubacvs Collinsvs Miller
In short

Nicolas Batum is a veteran French 3-and-D wing and point-forward, a two-time Olympic silver medalist and EuroBasket gold medalist with France, who spent 17-plus NBA seasons across Portland, Charlotte, the LA Clippers and Philadelphia as a versatile, high-IQ connector.

Matchup model · next gameMedium confidenceTue, Nov 10
@Indiana PacersAggressive hedge & help
Proj. points
4
range 1.3–6.7
Line 4
50%
to go over
Team win
37%
111–114
Poi 4 Lean overReb 2.5 Lean underAss 0.9 Lean underPRA 7.4 Lean under
Likely on himAndrew Nembhard· 80 Perimeter DStrong defender
5+ pts37%

Model lines Batum at 4 pts (range 1.3–6.7) vs a 4 line — roughly a coin flip to clear it (50%).

Model favors Indiana Pacers (63%), projected 111–114, ~225 total at 96.6 pace.

Full matchup breakdown · all markets →
Balladex Matchup Model — modeled from real roster ratings, scoring baselines & defender-matchup history. Schedule, availability & head-to-head samples are illustrative in this prototype; production wires live schedule, injury & player-tracking feeds. Not betting advice.
✦ Ask anything about Batum
The Batum Story — narrated
Tap play to hear his story, told as a 90-second short.
🔊 Prototype uses your browser's built-in voice. Production would use a studio-grade AI narrator.

Nicolas Batum turned selfless, versatile basketball into a 17-year career on two continents.

Drafted 25th in 2008 and sent to Portland, he became a starting 3-and-D wing before a big-money move to Charlotte showed off his playmaking.

He reinvented himself with the Clippers as a small-ball connector, guarding every position and even starting at center in the playoffs.

For France he won Olympic silver in 2020 and 2024 and EuroBasket gold in 2013 — a national-team leader who retired from international play after Paris.

— end of story —
Want the full numbers? Open the breakdown →
PPG
4
2025-26
RPG
2.5
per game
APG
0.9
per game
FG%
.403
.404 from three
LIFE

Roots & the rise

A smart, versatile 3-and-D wing and point-forward, Nicolas Batum built a long NBA and international career on defensive flexibility, playmaking and selfless connective play.

Nicolas Batum was born December 14, 1988 in Lisieux, France, and starred for Le Mans as a teenager, twice named the French league's Best Young Player. Houston drafted him 25th overall in 2008 and traded him to Portland.

He developed into a starting 3-and-D wing in Portland (2008-2015), then signed a major deal in Charlotte, where he showed off his passing with a 16-assist game. He reinvented himself with the Clippers (2020-2023) as a small-ball connector, even starting at center in the playoffs.

After a stint in Philadelphia via the James Harden trade, he returned to the Clippers in 2024. For France he won Olympic silver in both 2020 and 2024 and EuroBasket gold in 2013, retiring from the national team after the Paris Games.

Sources: Wikipedia, Basketball-Reference, NBA.com.

BEYOND THE GAME

Off the Court

Batum's father, Richard, a professional player of Cameroonian origin, died of an aneurysm during a game in 1991 when Nicolas was a toddler — a loss stated here factually. He grew into one of France's most respected national-team leaders.

Since 2017 he has been a shareholder and director of basketball operations for ASVEL, Tony Parker's French club, which won a domestic double in 2019.

PERSONALITY

The person

Cerebral, unselfish and adaptable, Batum is the consummate connector who fits any lineup.

High IQReads the game like a coach; a point-forward who elevates teammates.
Positional FlexGuards multiple spots and even played small-ball center in the playoffs.
Chase-Down ArtistElite weak-side shot-blocking for a wing, famously sealing France's 2020 Olympic semifinal.
PLAYER DNA

Archetype & ratings

Archetype
Veteran 3-and-D Forward
Temperament
Vet
Leadership
58/100
Scoring48
Playmaking35
Rebounding56
Perimeter D74
Rim protection43
Spacing72
Athleticism70
Clutch58
a veteran 3-and-D forward
ANALYSIS

What the numbers say

Point-Forward IQ

Batum is a high-IQ connector who passes like a guard, spaces the floor with catch-and-shoot threes, and makes the right read within any offense.

Defensive Versatility

He guards multiple positions, plays small-ball center in a pinch, and provides elite chase-down shot-blocking for a wing — a coach's Swiss-army knife.

Low-Usage Twilight

Now a low-usage spacer and locker-room leader, his streaky scoring and declining athleticism mean his value is connective play and veteran presence.

STATS

Season by season

Per game

SeasonGPMINPTSREBASTFG%3P%
2025-267417.54.02.50.9.403.404

Source: Basketball-Reference.

ADVANCED

Advanced & historical

Where he sits in history

DraftNo. 25, 2008 (to Portland)
OlympicsSilver 2020, 2024
EuroBasketGold 2013

Hardware

2x
Olympic Silver (FRA)
Gold
EuroBasket 2013
9
Career triple-doubles
OUTLOOK

Where it's headed

AI-generated · updated 2026

A veteran connector nearing the end of a long, respected career.

Batum returned to the Clippers in 2024 and remained a low-usage 3-and-D wing and leader through 2024-25. He has already retired from the French national team, and his NBA future entering the 2026 offseason is uncertain — a decorated career in its final chapters.

Basketball IQElite
VersatilityHigh
AthleticismDeclined

Contract

Status
Veteran Future uncertain (2026)
Bottom line

A decorated, high-IQ connector and international great — a glue wing whose value always outran his box score.

FAQ

Quick answers

Which team drafted Nicolas Batum?

The Houston Rockets took him 25th overall in 2008 and immediately traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers.

What has Nicolas Batum won with France?

Two Olympic silver medals (2020 and 2024) and EuroBasket gold in 2013, among other international medals.

What kind of player is Batum?

A versatile 3-and-D wing and point-forward — a smart, flexible defender and connector who can shoot, pass and play small-ball center.

Has Batum retired from the French national team?

Yes — he retired from international play after the 2024 Paris Olympics.