Nico Batum, who left the Sixers in free agency, regrets not playing longer with Tyrese Maxey
Batum, an 18-year veteran, revealed he has one regret and it dates back to his time in Philadelphia.
Throughout 18 seasons in the NBA, Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum has collected only one regret and he revealed that it dates back to his time in Philadelphia.
“I wish I could have played longer with [Tyrese Maxey],” Batum said on The Old Man and The Three podcast. “Maybe the only regret I would have in my career is like, he’s one of those guys I wish I could have played maybe longer with him. When I was younger — I was maybe too old now to play with him — but I wish I could be younger and play with him longer.”
Batum played with Maxey during the 2023-24 season after the Clippers traded him as part of the deal to get James Harden. In his sole season with the Sixers, he witnessed Maxey win Most Improved Player and earn his first All-Star selection. Together, the team made it to the playoffs before falling in six games to the New York Knicks in the first round.
In 57 games with the Sixers, Batum averaged 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. In July 2024, he returned to the Clippers during free agency.
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Batum has played with four teams and countless stars, with players like Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland, Russell Westbrook, Harden, Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marcus Camby, Damian Lillard, and Kemba Walker among them.
Despite the long list of former and current teammates, Batum shared that Maxey has become a favorite and someone very close to him.
“He’s my son’s favorite player, by far,” Batum said. “Like, my son loves him. He’s got like his jersey, got three jerseys of him, like all over his room. He loves him. I’ve been to the visitors’ locker room like one time in two years — when we play Philly — and my son wanted to go see Tyrese Maxey and get his jersey postgame.”