Offshoot of Proposed Melo Deal ==> Batum to Wolves

[Krapinsky]

Rumor has it that Denver wants to also drop Harrington in this deal but can't find a taker. Rumor also has it that Portland is interested in Harris but doesn't want to give up Batum. Rumor also, also has it that MN has a major Ronzone for Batum. Could MN get in on this and convince Portland to give up Batum with its extra firsts if it is willing to take on Harrington?

DENVER
IN: Favors, A. Miller, L. Hayward, Brewer, TWO 1sts via NJ
OUT: Anthony, Billups, Harrington

NEW JERSEY
IN: Anthony, Billups, Hamilton
OUT: Harris, Murphy, Petro, Favors, Two 1sts, One 2nd

DETROIT
IN: Murphy, Petro, 2nd via NJ
OUT: Hamilton

PORTLAND
IN: Harris, 2011 Memphis 1st, 2011 Utah 1st (Both via MN)
OUT: Miller, Batum

MINNESOTA
IN: Harrington, Batum
OUT: Hayward, Brewer, 2011 Memphis 1st, 2011 Utah 1st

Leaves us a little heavy on the wing for the time being, but I see it as a way to get Batum. Hopefully Harrington wouldn't be here too long and we can eventually find a taker for him for a position of greater need or a worse player with less years on his contract.

Thoughts? I realize it's highly unlikely, but would you do it?

[Esohny]

I would do it just because of the absurd value for Batum. Of course, that's also why Portland doesn't do it.

[The J Rocka]

My only take on this is that if we get him, he's gotta be a backup to Beasley. No way we can play him at the 2 and we also have Wes Johnson who I'm also not sold on playing there as well. Not sure if Batum would be thrilled about that. So would this mean we have to move Wes or are we set at having him start at the 2 his whole career here?

I would do the deal though even though Harrington's contract is a tough one to accept, but getting Batum is worth that. Not to mention Harrington would be easy to dump if necessary.

[Dakotah612]

FWIW, Rich Cho has rejected Denvers' many attempts for Batum since last summer and recently rejected this very offer (Miller/Batum for Devin). It's safe to say that Cho will not trade Batum as this Blazer team is still somewhat rebuilding on a fly.

[Krapinsky]

FWIW, Rich Cho has rejected Denvers' many attempts for Batum since last summer and recently rejected this very offer (Miller/Batum for Devin). It's safe to say that Cho will not trade Batum as this Blazer team is still somewhat rebuilding on a fly.

I added two 1st's.

[GopherIt!]

no with Harrington. Larry Batum seems to be getting a bit over hyped these days.
Is his ceiling really that much better than that of Wesley Snipes? I just don't see it.

[shangrila]

I probably wouldn't. After this you're looking at Webster, Johnson, Batum and Beasley all needing minutes on the wing as well as Tolliver, Love and Harrington needing minutes at PF. Just seems like a can of worms I'd rather not open.

[Dakotah612]

A mid-1st (Memphis is no longer a doormat) and a low-1st (Utah is a playoff team) hold minimal value IMO especially when it comes at the cost of Portland's best defensive player who's still only 22 years old.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Q4GVXGMlE[/youtube]

Jason Quick, the Blazer beatwriter, recently stated that the two players Portland will not trade, especially with Roy done as a high level player, are Batum and Aldridge. These are two of the new cornerstones of this franchise.

[younggunsmn]

No. Absolutely not taking Harrington's contract. We give up too much, and Batum wouldn't even start here.

[younggunsmn]

How about Martell Webster for Wesley Matthews, Luke Babbitt and Ryan Gomes' dead money. Let me get in my time machine and do that one.

[Swish4]

Aldridge/Batum is a really good forward pairing. If I was running the Blazers Aldridge would be untouchable and Batum nearly so. I think they'd need to get bowled over with an offer to trade Batum right now.

[Foshan]

an X/Matthews/Batum/Aldridge/X is pretty much the only positive the Blazers have going for them right now, can't see them moving any of those 3.

[shangrila]

I can understand why Portland wouldn't want to move Batum, but I seriously don't think he's going to become anything special. He's a great defender and what not but offensively he strikes me as a guy that's destined to be, at best, an upper level role player.

He's worth keeping and I wouldn't sell low on the guy, but I guess I just wouldn't put my hopes that he's going to develop into some amazing, franchise saving talent.

[teven_1]

This may come out a little random but Batum is an SF yes? I know we have a need at pretty much everywhere, and SF is a big need because Beasley has been injured and in foul trouble often. But shouldn't we play Martell more at the 3 than the 2 anyway? (I'm pretty sure he gets a lot of SG minutes)

[shrink]

Portland fans say they are sure that Kahn offered the #4 for Batum straight up, and POR declined.

I know Batum's value has decreased this season, but I think we'd still have to offer a lot to get him.

[PHTown]

Batum is also dirt cheap for the time being. He makes something like 1.2 mil. According to the front page they passed on the Carmelo ridiculousness as well for him.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... de_target/

I don't anything short of Love(who they don't need and we shouldn't give up) would get us Batum.

[Dakotah612]

Batum can be an 18-ish PPG guy with elite defense on the perimeter and post. Keep in mind he plays in the (by far) slowest pace in the NBA with Nate McMillan (87.7 -- 30th of 30; Wolves have on of the fastest tempos @ 97.1 -- 3rd of 30). He's athletic, a legit 6'9", 22 years old, and has a very high basketball IQ which his best attribute outside is insane length.

Watching the Wolves as much as I do living here in Shakopee there's nothing outside Love that, IMO, would get owner Paul Allen and Larry Miller to sign off on outside the obvious (Love) and we all know that's not going to happen. Also, the other Paul Allen (KFAN) was on Portland radio before the draft and said Kahn made numerous attempts for Batum, using different combinations that included the #4 pick but were rebuffed each time. I just don't see the Blazers and Wolves as good trading partners.

[shangrila]

But that still makes him Shane Battier, not Kobe Bryant.

I'm not saying trade him but this is bringing up some memories of the "old days" when every Portland player was supposedly the next star. I mean, just looking at that sig reminds me of it.

[shrink]

Chris (Edit: Chad) Ford says that before the draft, Kahn offered the Blazers the #4 pick for Batum, and was turned down.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/6/22/15 ... d-to-trade

Even though Batum's value has declined a bit, I don't think POR would accept this offer.


Disclaimer: This post does not say that Portland will NEVER trade Batum, forever, for any possible offer.

[Dakotah612]

And there's nothing wrong with that. I think he's going to be comparable to Battier on the defensive end but Nicolas is more talented on the offensive end and much more athletic.

The silver lining about the 'old days' was learning from mistakes (Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, medical red flags, etc.)