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[Saba Sports News] The Philadelphia 76ers faced an unexpected setback on Day 1 of free agency.
Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported that veteran forward Nicolas Batum will not return to the 76ers, marking the end of his brief tenure in Philadelphia.
Batum, a 35-year-old former first-round pick, joined the 76ers last November as part of the James Harden trade with the LA Clippers. He quickly became a crucial player for the team, excelling in defensive assignments, facilitating ball movement, and shooting 39.9 percent from three-point range. Batum also had a standout performance during the postseason, including a surprising scoring surge in the play-in tournament.
Philadelphia had anticipated re-signing Batum and two other veterans this offseason. It remains unclear whether Batum will join another team or retire as previously planned. What is certain is that the 76ers are losing a key role player, although they might mitigate the impact by acquiring a former teammate of Batum.