MN - POR

[Krapinsky]

MN OUT: Anthony Tolliver, Utah 2012 first (lotto prot.), Memphis 2013 first (lotto prot).
MN IN: Nicola Batum

Minnesota trades an expiring role player and two first to get the rights to Batum, a player they can plug in at SF long term and add to the core of Love + Rubio. Minnesota would also be willing to swap Tolliver for Randolph.

POR OUT: Nicolas Batum
POR IN: Anthony Tolliver, Utah 2012 first (lotto prot.), Memphis 2013 first (lotto prot.)

Portland decides to part ways with Batum rather than pay him big $ to be a back up. They get Tolliver, a player that can play a role off the bench for them the rest of the year, and two first round picks for the loss of the promising Batum. Portland could also have Randolph instead of Tolliver.

[Esohny]

I'd do it. Don't know about Portland.

[Narf]

I like Tolliver a lot (not sure why so many don't) as a cheap bench player. But I'd do that. Batum is a pretty solid fit.

We would, of course, have to trade Beasley no matter what then.

[kmgarnett21]

I like Tolliver a lot (not sure why so many don't) as a cheap bench player. But I'd do that. Batum is a pretty solid fit.

We would, of course, have to trade Beasley no matter what then.

I'd do it depending on what we got back from a Beasley trade.

[shrink]

Do you think Batum could play SG on this team?

[jpatrick]

Batum is basically what we all hoped Johnson would turn out to be. A very good defensive SF, who can run the floor, finish with hops (and a huge wingspan), and shot the three. He also appears to be a team kind of guy. My problem with him is that he doesn't give us what we "really" need which is a wing that can handle the ball and create for himself and others. Batum might have a slightly better handle than Johnson but not by much so I'd go no on SG being his full-time position.

That said, Portland is not going to let him go that cheaply. They'll let this play out and match offers this summer unless they get something of real value.

[ifrclone]

As a Portland Fan(with Wolves being my dark horse since last season), I would rather do Darko for Batum.
Or Pek, but I have a feeling he is going to pickup his game.

[mark blunt]

As a Portland Fan(with Wolves being my dark horse since last season), I would rather do Darko for Batum.
Or Pek, but I have a feeling he is going to pickup his game.

If you insist

[ifrclone]

I know, I know...it seems lopsided...
But, we could really use Darko in Joel type of a role. Block some shots, drop a couple of fools on the floor.
I like what I am seeing from E-Will in (very)limited minutes. He could be a good bench player and fill that spot, and if Batum is just going to walk..well, we should really make a run for another big body...

[jscott]

Do you think Batum could play SG on this team?

Unless we think either Beasley is the guy at SF or that Williams will be a 3 then we shouldn't care. We still need + production out of our SF.

This trade would almost be too good to be true so I wouldn't think Portland would do it. But this would allow us to still move Williams to fill another hole.

[Krapinsky]

Do you think Batum could play SG on this team?

Unless we think either Beasley is the guy at SF or that Williams will be a 3 then we shouldn't care. We still need + production out of our SF.

This trade would almost be too good to be true so I wouldn't think Portland would do it. But this would allow us to still move Williams to fill another hole.

That's my thinking. It would still allow us to trade Williams for Gordon.

[Narf]

I think Darko would be a solid addition to Portland. Aldridge makes up for his weakness (post scoring) and his strength is what Portland needs (help defender).

[jscott]

Do you think Batum could play SG on this team?

Unless we think either Beasley is the guy at SF or that Williams will be a 3 then we shouldn't care. We still need + production out of our SF.

This trade would almost be too good to be true so I wouldn't think Portland would do it. But this would allow us to still move Williams to fill another hole.

That's my thinking. It would still allow us to trade Williams for Gordon.

Right.

Which I think we all can agree that it makes a lot of sense for both sides.

My concern is that we may need one or both of those picks to send to NOLA in a Gordon trade (to make up for the drop the MIN pick will take). Perhaps NOLA would rather shed Okafor than take back a couple of mid-round 1sts. You could sign me up for that all day long.

Rubio/Gordon/Batum/Love/Okafor - still have an okay bench if you have to move Beasley and/or Wes to NOLA to make contracts work.

[Krapinsky]

Unless we think either Beasley is the guy at SF or that Williams will be a 3 then we shouldn't care. We still need + production out of our SF.

This trade would almost be too good to be true so I wouldn't think Portland would do it. But this would allow us to still move Williams to fill another hole.

That's my thinking. It would still allow us to trade Williams for Gordon.

Right.

Which I think we all can agree that it makes a lot of sense for both sides.

My concern is that we may need one or both of those picks to send to NOLA in a Gordon trade (to make up for the drop the MIN pick will take). Perhaps NOLA would rather shed Okafor than take back a couple of mid-round 1sts. You could sign me up for that all day long.

Rubio/Gordon/Batum/Love/Okafor - still have an okay bench if you have to move Beasley and/or Wes to NOLA to make contracts work.

Such a deal could wait until after the season. Then we could do a S&T for Gordon with Williams + Miller + Ellington.

[Krapinsky]

Hmmm.....

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
RT @johnschuhmann: Hornets announce that Eric Gordon (right knee contusion) will be out another 3-6 weeks

[jscott]

Right.

Which I think we all can agree that it makes a lot of sense for both sides.

My concern is that we may need one or both of those picks to send to NOLA in a Gordon trade (to make up for the drop the MIN pick will take). Perhaps NOLA would rather shed Okafor than take back a couple of mid-round 1sts. You could sign me up for that all day long.

Rubio/Gordon/Batum/Love/Okafor - still have an okay bench if you have to move Beasley and/or Wes to NOLA to make contracts work.

Such a deal could wait until after the season. Then we could do a S&T for Gordon with Williams + Miller + Ellington.

But I want him NOW!

[jscott]

Hmmm.....

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
RT @johnschuhmann: Hornets announce that Eric Gordon (right knee contusion) will be out another 3-6 weeks

Okay.. maybe not NOW as much as 3-6 weeks from NOW

[yowyOw]

I'd say to stick to either Beas or DWill and go for a SG like Harden (dream) or Mayo (reality).

Personally, I'd risk it going for Mo Williams, who has a player option this off-season. He's a PG, but could be a heck of SG.

Our biggest issue is the lack of a scoring SG and a dominant C on the defensive end since Love has little to no defensive anchor.

.

[Esohny]

Hmmm.....

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
RT @johnschuhmann: Hornets announce that Eric Gordon (right knee contusion) will be out another 3-6 weeks

Okay.. maybe not NOW as much as 3-6 weeks from NOW

He didn't want to sign their 4-year extension offer. Maybe if he were traded, his knee might just get better faster.

[Saltine]

Everyone knows it takes many, many, weeks to heal a bruised knee.