Open Extended ReactionsFree agent forward Nicolas Batum intends to sign a two-year, $11.5 million deal to return to the LA Clippers, sources told ESPN. The deal includes a team option as well as a trade kicker. The 36-year-old French forward played less than 18 minutes per game for the Clippers last season but made 78 appearances with eight starts. Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said ahead of the offseason that the team "1,000 percent" hopes Batum returns next year. Batum has spent most of the past five seasons with the Clippers after long stints with the Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets.