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Nicolas Batum intends to play for France during FIBA EuroBasket 2015 during the offseason, CSN Northwest reports.

Batum intends to play for France during FIBA EuroBasket 2015 during the offseason, CSN Northwest reports.

Analysis:

Batum endured his toughest professional season in 2014-15, rife with seeming exhaustion on the court, an array of injury concerns, and a general deflation of output. With his plans known for participation in a FIBA-hosted event yet again -- last year, he took part in the FIBA World Cup after initially declining to play -- the Blazers are likely worried that extra game action will have a negative impact next season. In the past campaign, he suffered a right knee contusion on two occasions, a torn ligament in his right wrist, and lower back pain, yet he still took the court in 71 games. However, his averages -- 9.4 points (on 40 percent shooting), 5.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 three-pointers, and 1.1 steals in 34 minutes per contest -- took a hit across the board. As he enters the final year of his contract, a bounce back could very well be in offing due to the potential departures of LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews (Achilles) via free agency.

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