76ers' Nic Batum Didn't Expect to Be Traded by Clippers

Prior to the trade that got James Harden out of Philadelphia, there was a lot of speculation surrounding who would be sent back in return.

One of the players that ended up getting sent over was Nicolas Batum, a veteran in the league, as he is currently playing in his 15th season.

Batum, who isn't unfamiliar to being traded, having been dealt from the Portland Trailblazers to the Charlotte Hornets back in 2015, told reporters that his most recent move came by surprise.

"When I got traded, I mean, I had no idea what to expect to be honest," said Batum, "I got caught off guard... I didn't expect to be traded."

The 34-year-old spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, and given that he is well into the back-nine of his career, felt that was where he was going to retire.

"I was pretty sure I was going to end my career over there...," confessed Batum.

While being surprised by the move, Batum is more than happy to be in the City of Brotherly Love, being happy with how the team is playing.

"We're the number one team in the East, I mean, I didn't expect that last week to be honest, that's cool though," said Batum, "we're winning games, great coaching staff, great energy, it's fun though."

The French veteran emphasized that the trust in which his team mates and coaching staff puts into him, is important and a source of inspiration for improving.

"They got that trust in me," explained Batum, "you got the coaching staff, the players, even Joel [Embiid] told me to take the ball in, 'you and me play a two man game', when the MVP says that to you, when your teammates trust you, you got to get back to it and bring it to the team as well."

Since joining the Sixers, Batum has appeared in four games, including a start against the Indiana Pacers earlier this week, while averaging seven points, which includes two shots from three point territory, where he is shooting with 62 percent accuracy.