Woj: Batum to Charlotte, Vonleh + Gerald to Portland

[Flip Murray]

I'm kinda surprised to see so many down on this deal. I think it's a great pickup. Batum and MKG on the wings is a tough pairing, we have good size their now as well as long defenders who will play the passing lanes and run. Batum is versatile enough to play 2-4, he can help facilitate the offense and he can shoot from outside. I love this pick up, and as far as Cho, I've pretty much supported all of the moves he's made, I think he's done a great job bringing in talent from free agents to his draft picks. Last years injuries, and the previous years bad fortune of getting Miami in round 1 kind of threw shade on the work he's done for us. I'm excited to see what we still have in store. I want to see MKG play the SG role too, I think he'd be too much inside for opposing SG's.

and 1'd for positivity in a sea of negativity

[Bassman]

And I'm **** pissed if this is all we get from Portland. I've been a Vonleh fan for years.

No one tell Bassman.

Just saw this and ...
I'M BEYOND PIS***D...I am ready to CRUSH that little geek neck Cho and anyone else who approved this :banghead:

Someone tell me how this makes us better? Really? And those who say this cements Al being resigned...I hope not.

How do you give up on a guy stupid asz Cliff wouldn't play just to get a Bantum rental??? Cho must have dreamed of this guy ever since going down on him in Portland. I am not pulling for a team that makes decisions with the wrong head

[They_Them_Hatin]

The only good thing about this trade is that if we want to make a trade with Sac for Hezonja+ Landry for WCS then we wouldn't have to worry about Denver or Detroit taking WCS and ruining the trade because it wouldn't be so obvious Sac wants to trade down.

[driveandkick]

Can't believe the reaction this trade is getting. I loved Noah, but his future is so up in the air. When Cho drafted him he knew he was an asset, and he cashed him in for one of the best two way players in the league. Are people really asking how this makes us better? Uhh, Vonleh played like 5 mpg last year he was a nonfactor. And when I compare Batum to Henderson, Batum is only a better scorer, passer, rebounder, shooter, and defender. He is an absolute massive upgrade. For those talking about his bad year last year you're just nitpicking. Batum was battling nagging injuries all season and he was MUCH better after the all star break. Only 26 still!!! He could very well be just as much of a piece to our core as Vonleh was. We'll have the money to retain him if he has a big season which I'm sure he will. We got MUCH better with today's additions. Batum can ball and you guys are gonna see. Sure Vonleh could become a 20/10 guy, but he also could bust. You have to take risks in this league. All I know is we traded an average two and unproven prospect for one of the best two way players in the NBA who's still only 26.

[Liver_Pooty]

Can't believe the reaction this trade is getting. I loved Noah, but his future is so up in the air. When Cho drafted him he knew he was an asset, and he cashed him in for one of the best two way players in the league. Are people really asking how this makes us better? Uhh, Vonleh played like 5 mpg last year he was a nonfactor. And when I compare Batum to Henderson, Batum is only a better scorer, passer, rebounder, shooter, and defender. He is an absolute massive upgrade. For those talking about his bad year last year you're just nitpicking. Batum was battling nagging injuries all season and he was MUCH better after the all star break. Only 26 still!!! He could very well be just as much of a piece to our core as Vonleh was. We'll have the money to retain him if he has a big season which I'm sure he will. We got MUCH better with today's additions. Batum can ball and you guys are gonna see. Sure Vonleh could become a 20/10 guy, but he also could bust. You have to take risks in this league. All I know is we traded an average two and unproven prospect for one of the best two way players in the NBA who's still only 26.

Preach

[BlackOutBuzz]

@mtokito
Trade is official. Charlotte gets Nicolas Batum, #Blazers Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh. Olshey in release: “Nic Batum was a key contributor to all of our recent success. He will truly be missed as a person and a player. We wish Nic all the best for the future.”

[EwingSweatsALot]

Can't believe the reaction this trade is getting. I loved Noah, but his future is so up in the air. When Cho drafted him he knew he was an asset, and he cashed him in for one of the best two way players in the league. Are people really asking how this makes us better? Uhh, Vonleh played like 5 mpg last year he was a nonfactor. And when I compare Batum to Henderson, Batum is only a better scorer, passer, rebounder, shooter, and defender. He is an absolute massive upgrade. For those talking about his bad year last year you're just nitpicking. Batum was battling nagging injuries all season and he was MUCH better after the all star break. Only 26 still!!! He could very well be just as much of a piece to our core as Vonleh was. We'll have the money to retain him if he has a big season which I'm sure he will. We got MUCH better with today's additions. Batum can ball and you guys are gonna see. Sure Vonleh could become a 20/10 guy, but he also could bust. You have to take risks in this league. All I know is we traded an average two and unproven prospect for one of the best two way players in the NBA who's still only 26.

I agree with all of this. This trade makes us a better team for this year. As long as this doesn't parlay into Kaminsky I will be happy. I just worry about the future part of this deal, especially if we don't resign Batum.

I will admit though, just like defense, I probably put too much stock into the future when it comes to making deals.

[JDR720]

Isn't Biz going to Canada? he is going to **** himself when he sees this

[MiltownHawkeye]

Can't believe the reaction this trade is getting. I loved Noah, but his future is so up in the air. When Cho drafted him he knew he was an asset, and he cashed him in for one of the best two way players in the league. Are people really asking how this makes us better? Uhh, Vonleh played like 5 mpg last year he was a nonfactor. And when I compare Batum to Henderson, Batum is only a better scorer, passer, rebounder, shooter, and defender. He is an absolute massive upgrade. For those talking about his bad year last year you're just nitpicking. Batum was battling nagging injuries all season and he was MUCH better after the all star break. Only 26 still!!! He could very well be just as much of a piece to our core as Vonleh was. We'll have the money to retain him if he has a big season which I'm sure he will. We got MUCH better with today's additions. Batum can ball and you guys are gonna see. Sure Vonleh could become a 20/10 guy, but he also could bust. You have to take risks in this league. All I know is we traded an average two and unproven prospect for one of the best two way players in the NBA who's still only 26.

Unbiased observer here.

1) Batum is not "one of the best two-way players" in the league. He's about average at both. He's not some huge impact player.

2) He's an old 26. He entered the league at 18. Younger players are cool because they have a better chance at significant improvement. Batum is what he is at this point.

3) Trading long-term projects with good upside for veterans on a rental isn't really a "risk." It's not creative or daring. It's just a lazy shortcut to team-building. It's a way to ensure you spin your wheels in the 7th-10th seed for a year. If you're going to trade a player as young as Vonleh for a veteran on the position a team like CHA is in, it should either be a serious needle-mover or an amazing fit. I seriously doubt Batum is either. And if he is? He can walk the next year.

[Liver_Pooty]

Isn't Biz going to Canada? he is going to **** himself when he sees this

With happiness.

[BlackOutBuzz]

Cho speaks (little): "Nicolas Batum is a very talented player whose all-around game will help our team in a variety of ways,” said Cho. “He is a quality defender and a solid outside shooter who brings versatility and playoff experience. We are excited to add him to our wing rotation.”

[KingCat]

Gerald Henderson was mediocre in pretty much every facet of the game and i was pretty big on Noah but he is still an unknown. I think Batum will be able to come in a do exactly what McRoberts did, but even better. Losing Vonleh instead of Zeller was a pretty tough pill to swallow but this was a good trade for us.

[Flip Murray]

Can't believe the reaction this trade is getting. I loved Noah, but his future is so up in the air. When Cho drafted him he knew he was an asset, and he cashed him in for one of the best two way players in the league. Are people really asking how this makes us better? Uhh, Vonleh played like 5 mpg last year he was a nonfactor. And when I compare Batum to Henderson, Batum is only a better scorer, passer, rebounder, shooter, and defender. He is an absolute massive upgrade. For those talking about his bad year last year you're just nitpicking. Batum was battling nagging injuries all season and he was MUCH better after the all star break. Only 26 still!!! He could very well be just as much of a piece to our core as Vonleh was. We'll have the money to retain him if he has a big season which I'm sure he will. We got MUCH better with today's additions. Batum can ball and you guys are gonna see. Sure Vonleh could become a 20/10 guy, but he also could bust. You have to take risks in this league. All I know is we traded an average two and unproven prospect for one of the best two way players in the NBA who's still only 26.

Unbiased observer here.

1) Batum is not "one of the best two-way players" in the league. He's about average at both. He's not some huge impact player.

2) He's an old 26. He entered the league at 18. Younger players are cool because they have a better chance at significant improvement. Batum is what he is at this point.

3) Trading long-term projects with good upside for veterans on a rental isn't really a "risk." It's not creative or daring. It's just a lazy shortcut to team-building. It's a way to ensure you spin your wheels in the 7th-10th seed for a year. If you're going to trade a player as young as Vonleh for a veteran on the position a team like CHA is in, it should either be a serious needle-mover or an amazing fit. I seriously doubt Batum is either. And if he is? He can walk the next year.

you sound very unbiased.

[BeesWax]

Can't believe the reaction this trade is getting. I loved Noah, but his future is so up in the air. When Cho drafted him he knew he was an asset, and he cashed him in for one of the best two way players in the league. Are people really asking how this makes us better? Uhh, Vonleh played like 5 mpg last year he was a nonfactor. And when I compare Batum to Henderson, Batum is only a better scorer, passer, rebounder, shooter, and defender. He is an absolute massive upgrade. For those talking about his bad year last year you're just nitpicking. Batum was battling nagging injuries all season and he was MUCH better after the all star break. Only 26 still!!! He could very well be just as much of a piece to our core as Vonleh was. We'll have the money to retain him if he has a big season which I'm sure he will. We got MUCH better with today's additions. Batum can ball and you guys are gonna see. Sure Vonleh could become a 20/10 guy, but he also could bust. You have to take risks in this league. All I know is we traded an average two and unproven prospect for one of the best two way players in the NBA who's still only 26.

Unbiased observer here.

1) Batum is not "one of the best two-way players" in the league. He's about average at both. He's not some huge impact player.

2) He's an old 26. He entered the league at 18. Younger players are cool because they have a better chance at significant improvement. Batum is what he is at this point.

3) Trading long-term projects with good upside for veterans on a rental isn't really a "risk." It's not creative or daring. It's just a lazy shortcut to team-building. It's a way to ensure you spin your wheels in the 7th-10th seed for a year. If you're going to trade a player as young as Vonleh for a veteran on the position a team like CHA is in, it should either be a serious needle-mover or an amazing fit. I seriously doubt Batum is either. And if he is? He can walk the next year.

you sound very unbiased.

He sounds correct.

[Flip Murray]

Unbiased observer here.

1) Batum is not "one of the best two-way players" in the league. He's about average at both. He's not some huge impact player.

2) He's an old 26. He entered the league at 18. Younger players are cool because they have a better chance at significant improvement. Batum is what he is at this point.

3) Trading long-term projects with good upside for veterans on a rental isn't really a "risk." It's not creative or daring. It's just a lazy shortcut to team-building. It's a way to ensure you spin your wheels in the 7th-10th seed for a year. If you're going to trade a player as young as Vonleh for a veteran on the position a team like CHA is in, it should either be a serious needle-mover or an amazing fit. I seriously doubt Batum is either. And if he is? He can walk the next year.

you sound very unbiased.

He sounds correct.

well i disagree

[BeesWax]

you sound very unbiased.

He sounds correct.

well i disagree

Certainly your right but I can't see how.

[W_HAMILTON]

Given that I don't know any of the players who will be drafted tomorrow night, I was wondering what this team could do to further disappoint me. They'd have to get pretty creative.

I guess they found a way.

When it comes to disappointment, this team always finds a way to exceed expectations.

And am I reading that right? Batum averaged 9ppg in 34mpg last year?

............

[Flip Murray]

He sounds correct.

well i disagree

Certainly your right but I can't see how.

well he only pointed out three complete negatives about the trade a couple of which I flatly disagree with and left out some of the elements of the trade which are favorable.

Batum had a bad year last year I understand that. But some of you guys are ready to be negative no matter what the team does. A year from now i'm sure a lot of people here would be bashing Vonleh and calling him a bust if he would have stayed.

[TheKingofSting]

So many things in play here. Was there something that is not known that our front office didn't like about Vonleh or did Portland just demand that he be included? I really really like Batum but I really really really didn't want to give on Vonleh especially so soon! It all comes down to me to can Batum be re-signed? Or how about this what if Cho trades Batum to the Knicks for #4 and also keeps the #9? If that came to fruition I have a feeling that some feelings would change on this deal. Having said all of that I want nothing to do with Frank the Tank under any scenario.

[BeesWax]

well i disagree

Certainly your right but I can't see how.

well he only pointed out three complete negatives about the trade a couple of which I flatly disagree with and left out some of the elements of the trade which are favorable.

Batum had a bad year last year I understand that. But some of you guys are ready to be negative no matter what the team does. A year from now i'm sure a lot of people here would be bashing Vonleh and calling him a bust if he would have stayed.

He is not a top tier two way player.
He is 26 and likely what he is at this point.
It was a trade for a one year guy sacrificing future for short term mediocre gains.

What is there to disagree with? He isn't a star or anything and will not turn the team around. It was a bad move because we gave up a guy with big potential for an average wing coming off any injury riddled down year.