Former Sixer Nicolas Batum announces retirement from the NBA after 18 seasons

After 18 years in the NBA, Nicolas Batum has announced his retirement from professional basketball. Batum, 37, announced his retirement Monday in a social media video alongside his son.

"Yeah, that's it," Batum said. "Dad's done playing basketball. I've been playing for a long time. ... Twenty years as a pro. That's a lot. Eighteen years in the NBA. Fifteen with the French national team. ... It's over."

Batum spent his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers.

After spending three seasons with the Clippers, Batum played just three games with Los Angeles to begin the 2023-24 season before being traded to the Sixers as part of the deal that sent James Harden to the Clippers.

His most memorable performance in Philadelphia came when the Sixers' season was on the line.

Facing the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament, Batum came off the bench and scored 20 points, knocking down six of his ten attempts from beyond the arc and grabbing five rebounds. With the Sixers protecting a two-point lead in the final minute, Batum also blocked a Tyler Herro three-point attempt to help preserve a 105-104 victory and send Philadelphia into the playoffs.

Batum returned to the Clippers following the season, where he would spend the final two years of his career. His decision to leave Philadelphia was influenced in part by wanting to remain close to his family.

"Basketball-wise, it was great for me last year," Batum said of his time in Philadelphia. "When I got there, I didn't know what to expect. Basketball, it was a great year, but at the end of the year, at this stage of my career, I need to make the best decision for me. Family-wise, like contract and everything ... I need to check off the boxes."

Despite spending only one season in Philadelphia, Batum developed an appreciation for playing alongside Tyrese Maxey. During an appearance on The Old Man and The Three podcast, Batum said playing with Maxey for only one season was one of his few regrets from his career.

"If I have one regret, I wish I could have played longer with him," Batum said. "I wish I could be younger and play with him longer. He's my son's favorite player, by far."

For most of his 18-year NBA career, Nicolas Batum specialized in doing the things that were easiest to overlook.

He was never a player who needed to dominate the ball to make an impact. Batum found ways to contribute through his defense, shooting, passing and willingness to adapt to whatever role his team needed.

The date of Batum's announcement also carried a deeper meaning. He announced his retirement on Sept. 21, exactly 35 years after the death of his father, Richard, who died during a basketball game when Batum was two years old.

"I can finally start a new life, one I didn't get to have as a kid. A life like yours, with your dad. I can do what my father couldn't."

"You see, my father's basketball career ended because he died, so he never got to carry on with his life. I can," Batum told his son in the retirement video. "Maybe that's why I'm most proud, and I'm happy today. That's why I'm okay to not be a player anymore."

Sixers fans only got one season of Batum, but his performance against Miami was a perfect example of what allowed him to remain in the NBA for nearly two decades. The six three-pointers were unusual. Being ready to give his team exactly what it needed wasn't.

Batum finishes his career having played more than 1,200 NBA games. His time in Philadelphia represented only a small portion of those 18 seasons, but it was enough for Sixers fans to see why he enjoyed such a long and successful career in the NBA.

Photo Credits: Bleacher Report