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Nicolas Batum returns to Clippers; Kawhi Leonard could be next

With teams pursuing him as a free agent last year and a decision about his destination needed, Nicolas Batum considered the disappointing season he had just exited. In the Clippers, only months removed from their bitter 2020 postseason exit, he saw his match.

“We had the common story from last year,” Batum said in March. “... I was like, why not go with that team and make sure we both redeem ourselves?”

On Monday, that story added another chapter.

Only hours after free agency opened across the NBA, the 32-year-old, 6-foot-8 forward agreed to return to the Clippers on a two-year contract with a player option for the second season, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed.