Long, young, good spot up 3 pt shooter, good defender. Doesn't need the ball to be effective.
I'm calling this complete bull. It's too logical for Petrie/Maloofs to try. Too much of a "basketball" move. Taking DMC/Reke/This year's first off the table, do we have the goods to get him? Also, how much do you pay for a guy who's going to be an RFA? This puts undue burden on you to match no matter what because you gave up assets for him.
Portland is in need of moves and they have never been shy. However, Batum is going to be reupped this offseason and should get 10/per, especially as he is stepping up as the only other guy behind LA. Not sure if Wallace is going to take the option, as he is due 10. Given his injury history and the way he plays, I would hope he enters free agency and locks down a long term contract. This, however frees up Portland to match the offer. They really like Batum and will have plenty of cap space to resign him. Only way we can get him in the offseason is to overpay and do so with a front loaded contract to hamper Portland's ability to be a player in the FA market. Still, I'm not sure at what point Portland would pull out. 10, 11, 12? And at what point does Batum still make sense?
I'm with the Mark Cuban school of basketball in that you pay players based on what they give you as an aggregate team. Is Batum worth 12? I don't think so. Is he worth 12 for us? I would say that if he allows Tyreke and DMC the space to operate, plays good defense, doesn't ask to be a star, and steps up as a consumate glue guy/roleplayer, yes. The worth he could give to DMC and Tyreke to open up their games would definitely make up for "overpaying" him.