Nicolas Batum officially retires from the NBA

After 18 years in the NBA, Nicolas Batum has officially called it a career.

On Sept. 22, 2026, the veteran forward made his retirement official through a video posted on his Instagram account.

In the video, Batum was with his 10-year-old son, Ayden, as he narrated his humble beginnings as a young kid from France who started playing basketball in 1991.

“20 years as a professional, that’s a lot. 18 years in the NBA, 15 with the French national team. So, you don’t want me to retire?” Batum said to Ayden.

After two seasons in the French professional league, the 6-foot-7 swingman decided to test the NBA waters, where he ended up as the Houston Rockets’ 25th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

However, Batum was immediately included in a trade package that sent him to the Portland Trail Blazers during the draft.

The move seemed like a blessing in disguise, as Batum spent his most productive years in Portland, establishing himself as one of the NBA’s most consistent two-way players from 2008-15.

Batum helped the Trail Blazers develop into a playoff-contending team alongside Brandon Roy, Wesley Matthews, Rudy Fernandez, LaMarcus Aldridge, Damian Lillard, and CJ McCollum.

During the 2013-14 NBA season, Batum reached his peak, averaging 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while helping Portland advance to the Western Conference semifinals.

However, Batum and Portland faced a stacked conference that included the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Oklahoma City Thunder.

After seven years in Portland, Batum bounced around Charlotte, Philadelphia, and the Los Angeles Clippers until his final season in 2025-26.

Aside from a stellar NBA career, Batum also had a decorated international campaign with the French national team, winning a EuroBasket gold medal in 2013 and two Olympic silver medals in 2020 and 2024.

“I’d also like to thank my whole family for helping and putting up with me,” Batum added.

“All those people who got up with me at four or five in the morning and came to practice with me. They sacrificed time with their own families too. We’ll see each other again soon, on or off the court.”