Batum and Future 1st Rounder

[twslam07]

The more I think about our situation the more I think Batum is the perfect fit at the SF position for our team. I know it is still early, but every game I have watched this season shows that Salmons is a SG not a SF. I would much rather have him coming off the bench to backup Thornton. If we move Salmons to SG, who is going to play SF for us? The answer is Batum. He is a great three point shooter, rebounder, defender, shot blocker, and he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact.

How would we be able to get him though? Portland has Wallace playing SF for them and Matthews is able to play a little SF too so they might be willing to listen to offers. Also considering that Thompson and Hickson are both going to be restricted free agents after the year, it would be smart to trade one of them now as it might be expensive to bring both of them back if we wanted to. I would like to keep Thompson because of his size, consistency, and ability to play both the 4 and 5. This means Hickson is the one who is expendable. This would be the proposed trade:

J Hickson
I Thomas

For

N Batum

Thomas has proven to be one of the bright spots of the season so far but we have to keep in mind that we have Evans, Thornton, and Fredette in front of him which will limit his minutes in the future even more. Plus if Salmons takes his spot as the other backup guard we won’t be seeing Westphal’s small lineup as much.

This trade would push Salmons to the bench allowing us to bring him along with Fredette off the bench to replace Evans and Thornton. Batum would instantly start which means Outlaw would back him up. We would have Hayes and Cousins starting while Thompson is the 3rd big. Outlaw could also play a little 4 whenever we’re matched up against a speedier PF as well.

If we continue to struggle after this trade, we will probably get a low draft pick again this year. If this happens we definitely need to go after Drummond or Davis. These two would fit really nice next to Cousins. Both are very athletic and agile big men who are great defenders and shot blockers. If we aren’t able to get one of them I suggest Henson or P Jones. Jones would definitely be more of a project but his potential is undeniable.

By the start of next season, our roster could look like this:

PG – Evans
SG – Thornton
SF – Batum
PF – Drummond/Davis/Henson/Jones
C – Cousins

BN – Fredette
BN – Salmons
BN – Outlaw
BN – Hayes
BN – Thompson
BN – Honeycutt
BN – Whiteside

 

[=LarryLegend=]

I actually like Harrison Barnes as our future sf. also like Isaiah Thomas and don't want trade him.

 

[Lafayette]

Trade Tyreke to Portland for a first rounder and Batum and if possible get rid of Salmons. 'Reke is worth more so shop around.

 

[Sac.1989]

Id take Batum but next years draft is solid. It could very well be possible read that Batum has lost confidence and has become intimidated by Crash's hot start in Portland.

 

[Sarunas]

I'm still confused as to why the Blazers would give up arguably their best bench player and a 1st rounder for a mediocre PF (being generous), and an undersized career backup PG. You have to look from the perspective of both teams. Also Wes Mathews does not play SF for them unless they are running a 3 guard small-ball lineup for some short periods in a game, but that doesn't make Batum expendable.

In response to Lafayette: Batum is good and would fill a huge void for us, but never would I give up a talent like Reke for him unless I knew the corresponding 1st round pick would be a lottery pick, but I don't forsee Portland having a lottery pick anytime in the next few years.

 

[twslam07]

I'm still confused as to why the Blazers would give up arguably their best bench player and a 1st rounder for a mediocre PF (being generous), and an undersized career backup PG. You have to look from the perspective of both teams. Also Wes Mathews does not play SF for them unless they are running a 3 guard small-ball lineup for some short periods in a game, but that doesn't make Batum expendable.

In response to Lafayette: Batum is good and would fill a huge void for us, but never would I give up a talent like Reke for him unless I knew the corresponding 1st round pick would be a lottery pick, but I don't forsee Portland having a lottery pick anytime in the next few years.

If you read my post and actually looked at the trade that I proposed, it says nothing about the Blazers trading away their first round pick.

 

[Gilles]

I actually like Harrison Barnes as our future sf. also like Isaiah Thomas and don't want trade him.

As an ultimate fit to this team you can't look past Kidd-Gilchrist in this draft.

 

[Sarunas]

If you read my post and actually looked at the trade that I proposed, it says nothing about the Blazers trading away their first round pick.

My apologies, I was going off the title of the thread "Batum and Future 1st Rounder." Forgive me for the misinterpretation.

That withstanding, why does Portland trade arguably their best bench player for 2 inferior bench players who don't necessarily fill holes in their roster?

 

[bluntsnbball]

As an ultimate fit to this team you can't look past Kidd-Gilchrist in this draft.

Amen

 

[twslam07]

My apologies, I was going off the title of the thread "Batum and Future 1st Rounder." Forgive me for the misinterpretation.

That withstanding, why does Portland trade arguably their best bench player for 2 inferior bench players who don't necessarily fill holes in their roster?

Their big man depth is lacking which as you know is one of the most vital bench positions to a team. Hickson gives them a solid option off the bench and whenever Oden is healthy it gives them a very intimidating rotation for their bigs (Aldridge, Camby, Oden, Hickson). Thomas on the other hand has shown his worth and skills. Blazers could use another high energy PG behind Felton. They have a lot of PG prospects but that's all they are, prospects. Thomas has shown he can contribute now.

I know if the Blazers gave up Batum they wouldn't really have anyone to backup Wallace, but the beauty is we have plenty SFs we can throw in if they want one in return. Maybe Greene?

 

[Gary]

Trade Tyreke to Portland for a first rounder and Batum and if possible get rid of Salmons. 'Reke is worth more so shop around.

Yah I would really rather have a point guard than putting out two combo guards each night without any team play.. Evans needs to go if the right deal comes around. Hell, I would have done an Evans-Salmons and a 1st roudner for Paul if I didn't get laughed off the planet lol.

 

[upinsmoke]

Batum is set to meet with the Blazers friday to discuss an extension. The Blazers have until the 25th to sign him.

 

[bajaden]

This next draft is full of talented SF's, and it appears at the moment were going to be in the lottery again, and therefore retain our first round pick. I'm going to be posting a thead on the best SF's in the coming draft on the prospects fourm in a few days. But I think our problem at that position could be solved in the draft. Just to list a few.

Michael Gilchrist, 6'7" SF
Harrison Barnes, 6'8" SF
Quincy Miller, 6'9" SF
Perry Jones, 6'11" SF
LeBryan Nash, 6'7" SF
Kris Joseph, 6'7" SF
Kris Middleton, 6'7" SF
Jeffery Taylor, 6'7" SF
Rodney Hood, 6'7" SF

I left off Terrence Jones because he's capable of playing both PF and SF. Same with Elias Harris from Gonzaga. Although I don't think Jones would have any trouble playing the SF position. There are also a bevy of SF's that will be available in the second round.

 

[LPKingsFan]

I'm done waiting for the draft. This team needs talent now. Batum would be a perfect fit, and given that he's stuck behind Wallace in Portland, might benefit from a change in scenery. The question is, would the Blazers be open to trading him for something now (and yes, they could use more bigs) in order to mitigate the risk of him walking over the summer?

 

[sidney]

I'm done waiting for the draft. This team needs talent now. Batum would be a perfect fit, and given that he's stuck behind Wallace in Portland, might benefit from a change in scenery. The question is, would the Blazers be open to trading him for something now (and yes, they could use more bigs) in order to mitigate the risk of him walking over the summer?

Is he a perfect fit? Not a passer and poor % from the 3. Like the defense and age.

 

[Hoovtrain]

Batum is set to meet with the Blazers friday to discuss an extension. The Blazers have until the 25th to sign him.

So according to this, an extension would be contingent on playing time. What i read earlier this week was that Wallace will not sign an extension now, but wants to once the season ends. This would lead me to believe that Batum would become available, since he would not be getting the desired playing time with a newly extended Wallace.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wireta...tant_In_Determining_Whether_To_Sign_Extension

 

[twslam07]

Is he a perfect fit? Not a passer and poor % from the 3. Like the defense and age.

He might not rack up the assists but he is an unselfish player. That is what we need on this team. People who have more assists are the people who have the ball in their hands more. We don't need that from Batum.

Why is he a poor 3pt shooter? He is a career 36.5% from the arc and still only 23. Leading me to believe he will improve his 3pt shooting as he grows older.

 

[Sarunas]

I listen to Portland sports radio every afternoon (I used to live there). It sounds more likely to me that they'd deal Wallace's expiring contract and get youth in return before they'd deal Batum. I know they want to get younger, as it sounds unlikely they will resign Camby after this season unless for a cheap short term deal.

I guess the telling sign is if they resign Batum or not, but I know Blazer fan is very high on Batum. Just depends if Nate Mac, Buchanan and Allen are as high on him too.

 

[sidney]

He might not rack up the assists but he is an unselfish player. That is what we need on this team. People who have more assists are the people who have the ball in their hands more. We don't need that from Batum.

Why is he a poor 3pt shooter? He is a career 36.5% from the arc and still only 23. Leading me to believe he will improve his 3pt shooting as he grows older.

36.5 from 3 is solid, not poor, you are right. Not elite as there are usually a couple dozen guys over 40% but still better than what we have now. I'd be interested but have no illusions that he is perfect. They do have a pickle up there in Portland since Wallace is clearly better but much older and they both are up for new contracts soon and might not be able to keep both.

 

[Telemachus]

I listen to Portland sports radio every afternoon (I used to live there). It sounds more likely to me that they'd deal Wallace's expiring contract and get youth in return before they'd deal Batum. I know they want to get younger, as it sounds unlikely they will resign Camby after this season unless for a cheap short term deal.

I guess the telling sign is if they resign Batum or not, but I know Blazer fan is very high on Batum. Just depends if Nate Mac, Buchanan and Allen are as high on him too.

If this is true, then it makes no sense to me. Wallace is a BIG reason why they are playing so well this season. And while I like Batum as a player, I don't think he has even a remote chance of ever being the player that Wallace is right now.

 

[Bricklayer]

If this is true, then it makes no sense to me. Wallace is a BIG reason why they are playing so well this season. And while I like Batum as a player, I don't think he has even a remote chance of ever being the player that Wallace is right now.

Would probably spell rebuild.

 

[upinsmoke]

Batum had a heck of night today setting a franchise record nine 3 pointers. state line went a little like this.

33pts/1blk/3stl/0rebs in 24 mins.

 

[ParniValjak]

Batum had a heck of night today setting a franchise record nine 3 pointers. state line went a little like this.

33pts/1blk/3stl/0rebs in 24 mins.

15 attempts from behind the arc?! Chucker?!

 

[twslam07]

15 attempts from behind the arc?! Chucker?!

Chuck away if you're draining them at 60%

 

[Bricklayer]

He also just doubled Portland's asking price. Fact is right now with us playing basically 5 on 12 every night that not much on our bench has very much trade value, our upcoming 1st round pick is partialy impeded, and in general its going to be hard to acquire young cheap guys in trade. Might be able to get an old expensive guy froma team trying to dump salary, but there you have to have owners willing to take on that financial burden.

 

[ParniValjak]

He also just doubled Portland's asking price. Fact is right now with us playing basically 5 on 12 every night that not much on our bench has very much trade value, our upcoming 1st round pick is partialy impeded, and in general its going to be hard to acquire young cheap guys in trade. Might be able to get an old expensive guy froma team trying to dump salary, but there you have to have owners willing to take on that financial burden.

He is a restricted free agent so we could make a frontloaded offer provided Maloofs are willing to spend which is a big if! Having said that, knowing Portland's owner, they likely match any offer Batum gets!

Would be a very nice pick up for us IMHO!