Proposed trade with Portland:

[bajaden]

I thought I'd stir the pot a little and cause some gnashing of teeth. So this is what I propose. The Kings trade Tyreke Evans to the Portland Trailblazers for Nicolas Batum, and Portlands 11th pick in the draft. At the moment, the Blazers have no PG, and Tyreke would help fill that spot for them as well as giving them a very good scorer and rebounder from that position.

The Kings would have their SF of the future, and would at the same time, put that future squarely in the hands of DeMarcus Cousins. We would also have the 11th pick in the draft, where we could draft Henson, a shotblocker, or a very good scorer, shooter to come off the bench, such as a Dion Waiters. Obviously it doesn't solve all our problems, such as getting a top shotblocker, but you can't solve everything at one time.

The tricky part of this trade is the fact that Batum is a restricted freeagent. Which means that Portland could guarantee his resigning by matching any offer, but there's no way to know how much money that would take. I know its been rumored that he looking at around 8 mil a year. Of course, because he wants that amount doesn't mean he'll get that amount.

So our projected starting lineup with no other changes would be:

Center: Cousins
Pf: Thompson
SF: Batum
SG: Thornton
PG: Thomas

Backups with the current roster would be:

Center: Hayes, Whiteside, Possible draftpick
PF: Whiteside, possible draftpick
SF: Outlaw, Honeycutt
SG: Salmons, Fredette, possible draftpick.
PG: Fredette

Now to take this a bit futher, Tyreke is due $5,251,825.00 next season. So if we were to end up paying Batum 8 mil a year, it would only be costing us an extra 2.7 mil against our salary cap. Leaving us with around 11.3 mil left to sign JT and, or, whomever else were interested in. If we amnesty Garcia, then were back up to 17.3 mil to work with, and we could make some serious changes with that amount.

In the long run, we'd probably have Batum on a 4 yr contract for less money than we would have had to pay Tyreke after next season, and we'd have less of a logjam at the SG/PG/SF position We'd still need to shore up the PG position, which we could do through freeagency or in the second round of the draft (Machado). And we'd need to add help in the frontcourt.

I know those of you that love Tyreke (that includes me), will probably have a hard time with this proposal, arguing that Tyreke is a better overall player than Batum. While probably true, the question is, would the Kings be a better overall team with Batum at the SF position, than we were last season with Tyreke.

 

[Uncia03]

I thought I'd stir the pot a little and cause some gnashing of teeth. So this is what I propose. The Kings trade Tyreke Evans to the Portland Trailblazers for Nicolas Batum, and Portlands 11th pick in the draft. At the moment, the Blazers have no PG, and Tyreke would help fill that spot for them as well as giving them a very good scorer and rebounder from that position.

.....

I know those of you that love Tyreke (that includes me), will probably have a hard time with this proposal, arguing that Tyreke is a better overall player than Batum. While probably true, the question is, would the Kings be a better overall team with Batum at the SF position, than we were last season with Tyreke.

I'll would have a hard time with this proposal exactly for the reason you stated.
It's hard, especially since we don't know where Tyreke's jumpshot is going to be in a year or two. I'd rather ride with him for a bit longer rather than trade him for a player who might be a better fit for the currently constructed team but doesn't have the impact potential that Tyreke might have.

If it's about clearing space and creating potential fit I'd rather do the following:
1.) Draft Drummond and pray (Get our 'perfect' defensive big to pair with Cousins)
2.) Let JT walk (Clear salary space)
3.) Pay Batum big money as a FA (Get our 'perfect' SF to compliment our guards)

Now I actually don't want to do what I've outlined above as I don't believe in Drummond and I like JT and don't think we should let players we develop walk. But if you put a gun to my head and made me choose beween a roster with JT/Batum/Henson or a roster with Drummond/Batum/Tyreke, I'll take the latter.

 

[KingsFanSince85]

A very intriguing proposal.

If I understood it correctly, the Kings would end up with Batum, Portand's #11 pick, possibly a difference in salary of around 3-4 M per season AND the they'd still own their own lottery pick (#1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 or 8).


Hmmm. I need time to digest and consider this....

 

[Glenn]

I understand the trade and would do it. If I were Portland, I wouldn't do it. Certainly they know of the problems Tyreke poses and they can't be blind to the fact that Tyreke played SF last year. If I were Portland, I'd be very hesitant to take a guy whose last team didn't even think he could be a guard. That's the way it appears and THAT is unavoidable.

The Kings thought so little of Tyreke as a PG that the started a 5'9" 60th pick rookie instead. That doesn't bolster Tyreke's value much does it? And before we toot the horn of Thomas to explain why he replaced Tyreke as PG, Thomas was #7 in ROY votong and was only on the rookie 2nd team. What does that say about Tyreke as a PG? Is he really worse than a 2nd round rookie team player at that position?

 

[Entity]

I don't like it for the simple fact that Thomas and Thorton backcourt is small, weak, and lack great defensivie skills. I would trade Thornton.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

I understand the trade and would do it. If I were Portland, I wouldn't do it. Certainly they know of the problems Tyreke poses and they can't be blind to the fact that Tyreke played SF last year. If I were Portland, I'd be very hesitant to take a guy whose last team didn't even think he could be a guard. That's the way it appears and THAT is unavoidable.

The Kings thought so little of Tyreke as a PG that the started a 5'9" 60th pick rookie instead. That doesn't bolster Tyreke's value much does it? And before we toot the horn of Thomas to explain why he replaced Tyreke as PG, Thomas was #7 in ROY votong and was only on the rookie 2nd team. What does that say about Tyreke as a PG? Is he really worse than a 2nd round rookie team player at that position?

Maloof and smarts small ball all over the Thomas move. Matilda couldn't promote jimmer mania so they do the Thomas roy. It's pretty disgusting the way this team has been handled the past few years

 

[Big Cuz 15]

I don't like it for the simple fact that Thomas and Thorton backcourt is small, weak, and lack great defensivie skills. I would trade Thornton.

Ditto. Thornton before Reoe all day every day. Chuckers r easy to replace., dime a dozen. Tyrekes talent is very unique.

 

[KingsCitizen]

Not a fan for the simple fact that you want to trade Reke to give Portland a point guard while we live with having IT, who Reke could eat alive all day if he'll play the PG position.

Why don't we move Reke to the PG spot and trade either IT or Jimmer plus one of our big 3 (salaries) instead.

 

[KingsFanSince85]

I don't like it for the simple fact that Thomas and Thorton backcourt is small, weak, and lack great defensivie skills. I would trade Thornton.

Not a fan for the simple fact that you want to trade Reke to give Portland a point guard while we live with having IT, who Reke could eat alive all day if he'll play the PG position.

Why don't we move Reke to the PG spot and trade either IT or Jimmer plus one of our big 3 (salaries) instead.

Who's to say the Kings couldn't use one of the 2 first round draft picks to select a more natural PG that also has some size?

In regards to the trade, I think I would do it. As much as I like Tyreke and admittedly campaigned for the Kings to draft him, I not sold on him becoming much more than he has shown to be thus far. 3 seasons in and he's nowhere near an all-star caliber player. Could he still develop into the player some of us envisioned? I suppose. But I'd bet against it at this point in time. Additionally, Tyreke is going to be up for an extension soon and likely is going to command more than he's proven to be worth. I don't think overpaying to keep him is a good idea. If I can get another young, up and coming player (Batum is only 10 months older) and a top 11 draft pick in return, I think I might have to take that gamble.

Now, if the Kings can get Batum via free agency and not have to give up Tyreke, I'm for that as well. But the Kings will be facing the same extension decision regardless.

 

[hrdboild]

Why would you need to trade Tyreke to get Batum when he's going to be a free agent anyway? If draft picks are involved than it has to be pre-draft so it sounds like we're trading Tyreke for the 11th pick (btw, doesn't Portland get Brooklyn's pick as long as it isn't top 3?) and an unofficial agreement that Portland will not match our offer sheet to Batum but I don't think that's really legal under the rules. Portland could just decide to re-sign Batum anyway after the draft and we'd be screwed.

Maybe you trade Tyreke to clear up some cap space to make a bigger offer to Batum, but if that's the case you have to be taking back another rookie deal. It's do-able, but I would be targeting a PG or a PF/C in a Tyreke trade and I don't think you can pick someone up at the 11th pick who would be equal value to Tyreke unless you get really lucky.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Before we go trading cornerstones, let's get a real mfing coach in here that can utilize reke strengths.

 

[Bricklayer]

We just traded Reke for Nicholas "you can just call me 12pts 4rebs" Batum. Oh lordy.

 

[pshn80]

Don't know much about Batum but I do know I don't want the combo of Thomas and Thornton to start. Sorry. Try something different.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

reke would have a field day with thomas or thornton trying to guard him. i'd expect him to punish both players everytime he faced them. only if we could swap the salaries of salmons+outlaw into batum that would be perfect. lol

 

[bajaden]

Well, it looks like a couple of yea's and quite a few Nay's. For those that would want to insert Thornton instead of Tyreke, well I'd do that if Portland would. But I don't think they would. For those that just want to compare stats, your missing the bigger picture. For those that are concerned about having IT and Thornton on the floor together, thats going to happen anyway at some point, so get used to it. To be honest, I'm not sure I'd do the trade. But it would change the direction and the complection of the team. Which I think is needed.

As far as Batum being a freeagent. Yes he is, but he's a restricted freeagent, and in order to aquire him, we would have to bid 8 or maybe even 9 mil to scare off Portland. That would mean we would have little left to resign Thompson, or anyone else. So this was a way to still sign JT, aquire Batum, and not leave a hole in the starting roster. We wouldn't be trading Tyreke for the 12 pick in the draft. We would be trading him for Batum and the 12th pick in the draft. We would still have our original first round pick.

 

[rainmaker]

I like Batum a lot, but he's a role player. He could be a rich man's Battier, but not some game changer. He plays off others. He gets his points off other players being doubled or penetrating.

If Batum was on a team with Reke, he'd be playing off Reke, not the other way around. Reke is already an elite pentrator and someone who can break down the best NBA defenses, without a jumper. Anyone watching the playoffs knows team like Philly, Ind or Mem are missing that type of a player, someone who can, with defenses geared towards stopping them, make something out of nothing and create for themselves or others. Reke has that ability. Team ball is great, to a point. At the end, Ind had no one to go to. Neither does Philly really. Neither did Atl who just settled for jumpers down the stretch. When Mem couldn't get the ball to Gasol/Randolph, they were stopped. You need a guy, a perimeter player, who can break down a defense when the game tightens at the end, and those players are rare.

Is it consistent? No, but neither is the use of him. Batum can be a great role players on a playoff/contending team, but lose the ability to have a perimeter player who can break down the defense. When/if he gets a jumper, it'll open that up even moreso.

You don't trade potential impact players who can break down defenses, which is extremely rare despite what kingsfans think, for a role player. On top of that, our backcourt becomes paper thin defensively, with no solution. IMO, this is a move you make if you embrace small ball philosophy, and want a track meet every night.

Baja, I find this proposal quite odd coming from you given you always preach patience, and not giving up on guys too early. Reke is 22. You don't think he'll get an even halfway decent jumper or midrange game by the time he's 24/25? If he does, he's twice the player Batum is.

Also find it odd to propose having him go play PG for another team, when he's never had the chance here under a legit coach. BigCuz brings up a good point, in that if Reke ever did play PG for another team, he'd abuse IT every time he faced him. What'd we do, switch MT over to guard him?

This trade proposal actually make us worse defensively, on top of obviously trading away the superior offensive player. Which would you rather have defensively?

IT/Reke/TWill
or
IT/MT/Batum?

Then, we're looking at the 11th pick and a 2nd rounder to help stabilize us? I know a few here love college basketball and are really high on the draft, and in previous seasons I would be as well, but the last thing this team needs is more youth and more projects. A top 3 pick you keep, as they'll step in and help right away. But we need to be thinking playoffs, not acquiring more youth/projects, at least imo. I'm still of the opinion you trade the pick if it isn't top 3. But say we get 3 or 4, and take Robinson, and resign TWill.

I'd much prefer this lineup

IT
Reke
TWill
Robinson
Cuz

MT as 6th

opposed to

IT
MT
Batum
JT
Cuz

Jimmer + 2nd rounder off the bench.

Main point, you add a great role player such as Batum to a potential star foundation of Reke/Cuz, which defenses won't be able to stop. You don't trade a potential star/foundational piece for a great role player. Part of what makes a role player great is playing off the stars, not attempting to become the star themself. And yes, I do think Reke will be AS level in 3 yrs with an adequate midrange game and proper coaching, used correctly. Don't see near that upside with Batum.

 

[upinsmoke]

As stated by many posters above the whole reason we want Batum is BECAUSE we are going to run with Cuz/Evans combo with MT being our best scorer Batum ties is together.

 

[hrdboild]

Well, it looks like a couple of yea's and quite a few Nay's. For those that would want to insert Thornton instead of Tyreke, well I'd do that if Portland would. But I don't think they would. For those that just want to compare stats, your missing the bigger picture. For those that are concerned about having IT and Thornton on the floor together, thats going to happen anyway at some point, so get used to it. To be honest, I'm not sure I'd do the trade. But it would change the direction and the complection of the team. Which I think is needed.

As far as Batum being a freeagent. Yes he is, but he's a restricted freeagent, and in order to aquire him, we would have to bid 8 or maybe even 9 mil to scare off Portland. That would mean we would have little left to resign Thompson, or anyone else. So this was a way to still sign JT, aquire Batum, and not leave a hole in the starting roster. We wouldn't be trading Tyreke for the 12 pick in the draft. We would be trading him for Batum and the 12th pick in the draft. We would still have our original first round pick.

I understand what you're saying, but if you look at the timeline, the draft precedes the start of free agency so Portland can't trade Batum as part of a draft day trade even if they wanted to. We could do a sign and trade with Portland to get Batum, but no draft picks would be a part of that deal. And if we do a sign and trade, we're going to have to give them a big salary to go along with Tyreke because Batum isn't going to agree to 8 or 9 million per year to make Portland happy. I think his agent can get him at least 10 million per year from some team.

And actually, I believe in Batum enough that I would offer him that much. But not as part of a sign and trade. When you're investing that kind of money you can't keep being a bottom feeder or now you're stuck in salary cap hell as well (a situation we're quite familiar with). We should keep Tyreke and Cousins and still make a run at Batum. Add in our draft pick and we're starting to put a respectable core of players together. Or maybe package the draft pick with Thornton or Thomas for another veteran. If Portland matches a $10 million plus per year offer for Batum it's still a win because they keep their great young player, but they have to pay market value for him which limits their ability to improve in other ways just like Golden State did to the Clippers with DeAndre Jordan and Dallas did to Orlando with Brandon Bass (my bad, it was actually Marcin Gortat who signed the offer sheet with Dallas).

The caveat to this is of course the subtext of your proposed deal which is the idea that trading Tyreke will make it easier to build a competitive team. I think you're maybe playing devil's advocate a bit with that one, and we've all been around that carousel so many times by now that I'm getting a little dizzy just thinking about it. For my part, I'm still firmly in the "Tyreke is a franchise player" camp and rebuilding teams don't trade franchise players on rookie deals because it's counter-productive. Thornton and Thomas are both tradeable assets. Jimmer might be, depending on who you ask. And of course a top 5 (or 6,7,8) pick is always a tradeable asset (except when you've already traded it) so I don't think we need to be getting desperate at this point and giving up on star potential.

Thornton is a whole other debate, but in the interest of keeping an already long post short enough that at least some people might read it, I'll just say that I think Tyreke/Batum/Cousins is a core trio with more long-term potential than what we have now so I'd make the investment there and put everyone else on the block until we find the right pieces to put around them. Remember, when looking at salary cap numbers, that we aren't required by the CBA to take any salary back in a trade if we find a trade partner who is sufficiently under the cap. And there are teams out there with money to spend who might be looking to make a big splash (Boston, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Indiana, New Orleans)

 

[KingsCitizen]

Batum is a free agent. But if we can't get him without giving up any of our young stars, then I'd suggest that we give a hard look at Jared Dudley.

Dudley got 4 years at $4.2M per contract. With that, we bring in a savvy vet who is willing to defend and can shoot those threes. Although a bit slow footed, this guy got a high BB IQ and seems to know how to get to the right place at the right time. The way they run the system with the Suns, I think he'll also improve the ball movement in this team.

If we can trade one or 2 of our big 3 (salaries) for him plus maybe Robin Lopez, I'll be a happy camper.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

what i like about tyreke handling the ball is the opposing team sucks into the paint to avoid his elite penetration and lay up skills. if he puts together a consistent midrange, 3 pt, floater and off the ball cutting skills. he will be unguardable.

we have 2 players that command double teams (reke & cousins). all we need are reliable role players at the 2, 3 & 4 positions.

reke twill batum jt cousins isn't a bad starting line up. we'd have good enough perimeter defense so cousins isn't exposed to cheap fouls from penetrators.

 

[andjel]

lets see:

MT, Reke, X, X, Cousins (IT, JT, TWill bench)
Basis of deep playoff contender- potential championship caliber team

X, MT, Batum, X, Cousins (IT, JT, TWill bench)
Basis of solid playoff contender - forget the championship

Not quite contest in my eyes.

That is assuming that there is some NBA level coach at the helm.

 

[Prince_XY]

IMO, Petrie is flat out stupid if he does this very stupid proposal. He might as well be working as a GM for Portland, rather than for the Kings. What this trade does is make Portland better and the Kings worse.

Swapping a 20/5/5 ROY who had 2 bad years (because of bad coaching and injury) for a role player like Batum is insane and very stupid. Reke had shown he can play the PG position and/or SG if surrounded by the right pieces. He can play the SF position too depending on the match-up. Reke is also arguably one of our top defenders in this team.

And Batum? What has he really done to Portland that you see him as if he can be the savior of the Kings? He can't even be their starting SF when Wallace was there!

And do we really think we can be better and win games with a midget backcourt, a less than superstar talent Batum, and a ground-bound center? Maybe if we have a Shaq or Dwight Howard in our frontline, then I'll consider this stupid line of thinking.

I hope you are really just trying to stir the pot with this kind of stupid proposal.

 

[upinsmoke]

Relax prince the whole reason there is a personnel forum is to announce trades/Drafts/Fa's and to kick around trade ideas even flawed ones like this which i admit to be just as guilty of. Truth is this is what Portland most likely most likely asked for in return when GP inquired about Batum and GP smiled in their face said no thank you all while thinking to himself "see you in FA"

 

[mac]

What I don't get is how the Blazers can trade us Batum prior to the draft ...

 

[Spike]

Maloof and smarts small ball all over the Thomas move. Matilda couldn't promote jimmer mania so they do the Thomas roy. It's pretty disgusting the way this team has been handled the past few years

Absolutely.

As for the trade, I think it makes a more balanced team, but balanced in a weaker way. We also again, get younger, which I think is a bad move. Finally, I think we need to find a way to jettison at least half of our SFs before we pick up another one.

Who's to say that Smart wouldn't put Batum at PF like Greene? We can keep shifting players around if we like, but until things get fixed upstairs, we're asking an awful lot of our kids - win in spite of management and coaching.

But hey, Baja, I'll give it to you for stirring the pot. At least you're getting creative, but if you're looking to move Evans (which I know you're not), for the sake of arguing, I think you can get more than a resigned Batum and the 11th pick. How much more? Probably not too much more, but I'm pretty sure at least a little more - an expiring? A roleplaying PF as well? I dunno, I don't have the time right now.

I'm extremely hesitant to move Evans, because he's built for the playoffs - we just need a team to get us there first. You need the big hammer this time of year, and we're fortunate to have two young ones.

 

[Uncia03]

I'm extremely hesitant to move Evans, because he's built for the playoffs - we just need a team to get us there first. You need the big hammer this time of year, and we're fortunate to have two young ones.

As always the playoffs bring into focus the need for dominant players who can get their own and break down a defense.
Tyreke breaks defenses by causing the defense to have to adjust their defensive scheme to keep him out of the paint.
Demarcus breaks defenses by causing the defense to have to doube or hedge secondary defenders.

As Spike clearly points out, these two are built for play-off basketball. The issue is getting the team/coach/FO all put together to actually make it to the playoffs.

Looking in particular at the Indiana/Miami series, we all know that Hibbert/West was the key to Indiana getting past Miami.
Unfortunately Indiana didn't have any perimeter players who could shift the defense around to make it easier to get Hibbert good looks.

One of the analysts mentioned that Indiana had really good balance and was deep, but that it lacked a star player to put pressure on the defense to keep things rolling when it got tough to score.
They then said that Indiana does have a lot of assets.
So the thinking would be for Indiana to give up part of their depth/balance in order to get a star player who can give them the kick they need to potentially get further in the play-offs.

We have our two players who can be the star in the play-offs, so I'd rather not give up on one of them in order to get a more balanced roster only to find out that I need to trade some of those balanced players to bring in another star down the line, because the team can't quite get it done in the playoffs.

The Nuggets/Pacers/76ers are all good, deep, and balanced teams with good coaching. They all made the play-offs and had success there. My guess is that all of them will be looking to try to trade some of their balance/depth in order to bring in an impact player to make it further in the play-offs. They might end up having a hard time finding that type of player since they are difficult to acquire.

So let's do our best to hold on to our own.

 

[jpsls]

Trading Tyreke for a SF depresses me because we could have drafted a SF (Leonard) in the last draft, but the boys wanted to sell tickets.

 

[bajaden]

Baja, I find this proposal quite odd coming from you given you always preach patience, and not giving up on guys too early. Reke is 22. You don't think he'll get an even halfway decent jumper or midrange game by the time he's 24/25? If he does, he's twice the player Batum is.

Also find it odd to propose having him go play PG for another team, when he's never had the chance here under a legit coach. BigCuz brings up a good point, in that if Reke ever did play PG for another team, he'd abuse IT every time he faced him. What'd we do, switch MT over to guard him?

Fear not, I'm still the patient one. As I said, I'm not sure I'd do this trade. I originally thought of proposing the trade with Thornton as the main piece, but after looking at their roster, I just don't think they'd do the trade with Thornton. So just for the hell of it, I threw in Tyreke. Everyone complains that the Maloofs have no money, or won't spend what money they have. So I was trying to think outside the box a little, on how to change the makeup of the team and make it a little more balanced. And, at the same time, not affect our capspace that much.

Everyone seems to think defense is the key ingredient, and we need a SF. Batum is considered one of the best, young, defensive SF's in the league. So, its put your money where your mouth is. I found it interesting that Bricky, who screams defense from the highest rooftop, suddenly wanted to post the offensive stats of Batum. If you want to say the price is too high, thats fine, and I understand that. But I think everyone knows that the main reason for picking up Batum is for his defense, and not to be a scoring machine.

Now whether anyone wants to admit it or not, Tyreke's defense wasn't that good last season. For what ever reason. Playing SF didn't help! But frankly, if you watched him carefully, he just looked lazy at times. I'm one of his biggest fans, but I'll certainly critizise him when I think its called for. I'm not into hero worship.

As far as giving up on Tyreke. No, I haven't. I still think he can be a very good player in this leage. But I was disappointed in him. So lets be honest here. Is Tyreke replacable? Not necessarily with a player with all of Tyreke's unique abilities, but with a player that can adequatley give you similar overall production, but do it in a different way. I'd say the answer is yes. Maybe not easily, but possible. Now ask yourself, is Cousins replacable? Without much thought, I'd say the answer is NO! The fact that he's 6'11" is part of that equation, but he's just a very special player, that in a year or two, could be the best center in the NBA. Tyreke will never be the best SF, SG, or PG in the NBA.

Now thats not a reason to get rid of him, but it is a reason to think of him as expendable for the right price. As I said, if you think this price is too high, thats fine. Thats why I proposed the trade! To see what people think. And I knew going in that Tyreke is a very polarizing player. If we end up going forward with the same team as last season, we're going to be right back here having a similar conversation next year. We need some changes to be made. Most teams at some point, have to make a bold move of some sort. Somehow, trading for Salmons and picking up Outlaw, just doesn't cut it for me. I'm open to all suggestions that would work for both parties in a trade. But please, no Thornton for Howard suggestions.

 

[bajaden]

IMO, Petrie is flat out stupid if he does this very stupid proposal. He might as well be working as a GM for Portland, rather than for the Kings. What this trade does is make Portland better and the Kings worse.

Swapping a 20/5/5 ROY who had 2 bad years (because of bad coaching and injury) for a role player like Batum is insane and very stupid. Reke had shown he can play the PG position and/or SG if surrounded by the right pieces. He can play the SF position too depending on the match-up. Reke is also arguably one of our top defenders in this team.

And Batum? What has he really done to Portland that you see him as if he can be the savior of the Kings? He can't even be their starting SF when Wallace was there!

And do we really think we can be better and win games with a midget backcourt, a less than superstar talent Batum, and a ground-bound center? Maybe if we have a Shaq or Dwight Howard in our frontline, then I'll consider this stupid line of thinking.

I hope you are really just trying to stir the pot with this kind of stupid proposal.

I think you might have overused the word STUPID. But thanks for the comment. I certainly appreciate your imput.

 

[bajaden]

What I don't get is how the Blazers can trade us Batum prior to the draft ...

They couldn't! It would have to be agreed to before the draft, but couldn't actually take place until after july 1st, or whenever the july moratorium ends. Its been done before, its just trickier.