RealGM

Portland Trail Blazers

Out - Batum, Felton, Johnson
In - Nash, Ridnour

WHY FOR THE BLAZERS - A shot at a ring. Nash is 38 and an expiring contract, but since they didn't extend Batum it's conceivable that Gerald Wallace is their priority in the offseason. Nash is a big enough upgrade over Felton that the Blazers would contend this year. Ridnour protects Nash from having to play too many minutes.

Wallace/Babbitt
Aldridge/Smith
Thomas/Camby
Matthews/Crawford
Nash/Ridnour

Minnesota Timberwolves

In - Batum, R. Lopez, Johnson
Out - Williams, Ridnour, Tolliver

WHY FOR THE WOLVES - Lineup balance. Batum starts opposite Johnson, giving the Wolves the defensive wings they're going to need if Love and Pekovic are the long-term 4/5 starting combo. Lopez provides another defensive big off the bench. Long term there's cap room to extend Batum as part of the team's core.

Batum/Beasley
Love/Lopez
Pekovic/Milicic
Johnson/Ridnour
Rubio/Barea

Phoenix Suns

In - Williams, Felton, Tolliver
Out - Nash, Lopez

WHY FOR THE SUNS - Kickstart a rebuild. Turn Nash into the 2nd pick of last year's draft (Williams and Gortat would complement each other well, BTW). Felton and Tolliver are expiring, like Nash.

Hill/Webster
Williams/Frye
Gortat/Tolliver
Dudley/Brown
Felton/Telfair

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachi ... Id=72ffmuy

If the Suns do nothing at the deadline, they suck less because Nash is playing so well. In this scenario they suck more (better pick), and get a highly regarded prospect for their trouble. No-brainer for them, IMO. I think this is great for the Wolves and Suns... not sure about the Blazers even though they're getting the best player in the deal.

I think it is fine.

I have a hard time seeing the Blazers give up Batum for a 38 year old PG, even if it is Nash. I do agree that I think the Suns and Wolves do it, though.

I'd rather pursue Batum in the offseason rather than giving up Williams this early.

Too much for Nash
Not enough for Batum

big3_8_19_21 wrote:I have a hard time seeing the Blazers give up Batum for a 38 year old PG, even if it is Nash. I do agree that I think the Suns and Wolves do it, though.

Thanks for the feedback... I agree with this, actually. It's a bold, "all-in" kind of move that would be hard to see a team without a general manager making.

Batum started at off-guard for the Blazers last night, BTW. 22 points and 8 rebounds. I hope Shangrila is right and we take a run at him in the offseason - he'd be perfect for the Wolves.

I just don't know if Batum is worth that much kind of a ransom for a player who can be really tentative and is due a big contract. I know a bunch of Minnesota fans have him highly rated and even I do to a degree. Ridnour with the second pick in the draft is just too much to ask while getting nothing more in return, R. Lopez is due a contract too and I don't know if he would be a guy who I would want to re-sign. I would much rather see how the market pans out and see who may drop in value...I think this FA one or two will.