NBA insider says 76ers nearly held onto key veteran forward

The consensus weak point of the Philadelphia 76ers ' newlook rotation is power forward.

While the talent is there with Caleb Martin, there's rebounding concerns that enter the picture due to a lack of size. Veteran Nicolas Batum acted with many titles for the Sixers last year, including an X-factor, top inbound passer, and a body in the paint.

Considering he's 35 years old, a hefty payout was not needed to bring him back. Still, Batum made the decision to return to the team that traded him, the Los Angeles Clippers. He ended up signing on a two-year, $9.6 million contract .

NBA insider Tim Bontemps of ESPN revealed Batum had trouble deciding where to sign this summer, with Philadelphia's front office expressing interest in a new deal.

“They were really close to getting Nic Batum back," Bontemps shared. "He was going back and forth—at least from my understanding—going back to Philly or going back to the team that traded him. I think family played a part in him going back to the Clippers. He was pretty comfortable out in L.A.”

It's clear the French forward's decision factored in more than just basketball, specifically winning a championship. The 76ers and Clippers are in conversations to win their respective conferences, but the Sixers swiping star Paul George from Los Angeles gives them an upper hand in the comparison.

Batum nailing almost 40% of his shots from three-point range will certainly be missed by coach Nick Nurse.

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