Brooklyn - Charlotte - Portland

[Village Idiot]

I posted this late in another thread but as it never got responded to I thought I'd pull it out and create a separate thread

Brooklyn Trades:

Joe Johnson
#29 pick
$3.3 million to Charlotte

Brooklyn receives:

Lance Stephenson
Marvin Williams
#39 pick

The Nets cut $8.8 million in salary next season and very close to below the tax threshold so total savings are around $15 million. They take a chance on a much younger player and Brooklyn native in Stephenson who has a team option for 2016-17 if he doesn't work out.

Charlotte trades:

#9 pick
Lance Stephenson
Marvin Williams
#39 pick

Charlotte receives:

Nicolas Batum
Chris Kaman - only $1 million guaranteed if cut before July 1
Steve Blake
#23 pick
#29 pick
$3.3 million from Brooklyn

I have a feeling Rich Cho would love to get a proven veteran like Nic Batum who can provide passing, shooting and defense. He struggled last season due to a messy divorce, a dinged wrist and fatigue from playing all summer with France. I think he would relish a change of scenery and a potentially larger role on a team. I don't see resigning him as an issue either but there is that risk. There are rumors that Charlotte is looking to trade down and in this deal they also get two lower firsts. They cut Kaman to save money and get rid of a headache in Stephenson.

Portland trades:

Nicolas Batum
Chris Kaman
Steve Blake
#23 pick

Portland receives:

Joe Johnson
#9 pick

Johnson provides a solid veteran and the #9 could provide a solid building block for the future. This trade should be palatable for Portland regardless of whether Aldridge stays or goes.

[HornetJail]

No we're not trading the 9th pick for a one year Batum rental.