Woj: Batum to Charlotte, Vonleh + Gerald to Portland

[Braggins]

lol. that analogy you used about a relationship is spot on. But for once I feel really, really good about this team.

I would feel good about next season if we had a different coach or didn't have Al. Any boost Batum will give us is still going to be offset by Hawes/Al lineups.

The main reason I hate this trade is because of Batum coming off a down year and being on the last year of his contract. I expect Batum to play better, but even if he does, I don't think this gets us anything better than a 6th seed and maybe one playoff win, which is about the same as our ceiling before this move. We gave up a talented young prospect for a fairly minimal short term gain and we are probably losing Batum to free agency next year. I think its more than likely that this trade ends up being us just throwing away Vonleh for nothing.

We have a ton of money to give him if he plays like he should play. Im not worried about losing him at all.

To be honest, I think losing Henderson may end up being worse than losing Vonleh in the long run. I just never saw the potential in him other than an imposing physical specimen for a guy as young as he is.

We'll have the money to give him, but I don't have any faith that he'll actually want to resign here, especially if he plays really well and can get a big contract from a contending team. I don't think any of us were necessarily convinced that Vonleh was going to put it all together and learn to make use of all his physical tools and skills, but I don't swapping Henderson for Batum is worth not getting the chance to find out.

[catch20two]

People keep bringing up Vonleh, but we lost a valuable player in Henderson. Great locker room guy, and a damn solid player. Thats going under the radar entirely.

Get that Duke sympathy up outta here.

[Liver_Pooty]

I would feel good about next season if we had a different coach or didn't have Al. Any boost Batum will give us is still going to be offset by Hawes/Al lineups.

The main reason I hate this trade is because of Batum coming off a down year and being on the last year of his contract. I expect Batum to play better, but even if he does, I don't think this gets us anything better than a 6th seed and maybe one playoff win, which is about the same as our ceiling before this move. We gave up a talented young prospect for a fairly minimal short term gain and we are probably losing Batum to free agency next year. I think its more than likely that this trade ends up being us just throwing away Vonleh for nothing.

We have a ton of money to give him if he plays like he should play. Im not worried about losing him at all.

To be honest, I think losing Henderson may end up being worse than losing Vonleh in the long run. I just never saw the potential in him other than an imposing physical specimen for a guy as young as he is.

We'll have the money to give him, but I don't have any faith that he'll actually want to resign here, especially if he plays really well and can get a big contract from a contending team. I don't think any of us were necessarily convinced that Vonleh was going to put it all together and learn to make use of all his physical tools and skills, but I don't swapping Henderson for Batum is worth not getting the chance to find out.

The chances of us luring free agents is hard as it is. Getting a player in here and him getting used to the city, liking it, then resigning him is better than nothing.

[Liver_Pooty]

People keep bringing up Vonleh, but we lost a valuable player in Henderson. Great locker room guy, and a damn solid player. Thats going under the radar entirely.

Get that Duke sympathy up outta here.

Lol. Pleeeease. Posters should be posting more about losing him. He will be missed.

I loooove the trade regardless.

[yosemiteben]

People keep bringing up Vonleh, but we lost a valuable player in Henderson. Great locker room guy, and a damn solid player. Thats going under the radar entirely.

Naw, I think a lot of people were just ready for Henderson to go either way.

Agreed.

I'm a Duke fan. I love Hendo. Plays the right way, always brings effort, really good defender, accepts his role. It's just unfortunate that his skill set doesn't match what we need as a franchise.

Bottom in the league in 3PT% dictated this. We need shooters, and we need guys who don't need to control the ball off the dribble to get a shot off.

Wish him the best.

[USER0023942]

TB fan here. Batum is good but I'm glad to be rid of him. No way we would've resigned him next year so I'm happy to get a prospect in return.

Batum will never be the guy that you think he is capable of becoming. The tools are there, he just doesn't want to be THE MAN unless that means playing lockdown D and shooting corner 3's. 3&D guys are great to have on your team in 2015's NBA, but like most other 3&D guys, he is overpaid and will become even more overpaid next year.

Also, his loyalty will never be to your team, it will always be to France and their national team. The NBA is his job, nothing more, nothing less. Not a knock, we all do things we don't love doing, but don't expect this guy to give you any fire or be a team leader. He saves it for summers in Europe.

His biggest benefit to you will be the flexibility he provides on defense. He can guard any 1-3 in the league. He will allow you to get by with a subpar defender at one or two of the other wing positions.

[catch20two]

People keep bringing up Vonleh, but we lost a valuable player in Henderson. Great locker room guy, and a damn solid player. Thats going under the radar entirely.

Get that Duke sympathy up outta here.

Lol. Pleeeease. Posters should be posting more about losing him. He will be missed.

I loooove the trade regardless.

Ain't nobody gonna be missing Hendo except for the local golf courses.

[fatlever]

You are getting too hung up on positions Catch. Both MKG and Batum can defend 2s and 3s with no problem. Offensively, Batum will play the McRoberts role at the top of the key, strong side, feeding Jefferson and then cutting or spotting up for 3s. MKG will still live in his shame corner.

[Braggins]

I am only expressing myself in Twin Peaks images tonight.

Is there another way to express ones self? (seriously, you should see my twitter account)

If I had a list of my top 5 all-time favorite realgm posts, this would definitely be on that list. I love randomly saying that to people just to see their confused reactions.

[catch20two]

TB fan here. Batum is good but I'm glad to be rid of him. No way we would've resigned him next year so I'm happy to get a prospect in return.

Batum will never be the guy that you think he is capable of becoming. The tools are there, he just doesn't want to be THE MAN unless that means playing lockdown D and shooting corner 3's. 3&D guys are great to have on your team in 2015's NBA, but like most other 3&D guys, he is overpaid and will become even more overpaid next year.

Also, his loyalty will never be to your team, it will always be to France and their national team. The NBA is his job, nothing more, nothing less. Not a knock, we all do things we don't love doing, but don't expect this guy to give you any fire or be a team leader. He saves it for summers in Europe.

His biggest benefit to you will be the flexibility he provides on defense. He can guard any 1-3 in the league. He will allow you to get by with a subpar defender at one or two of the other wing positions.

Our offense isn't good at creating corner 3s. How's his 3s on the wing and top of the key since he'll be our starting SG.

[Go_Hornets]

Didn't this guy own parsons last year in the playoffs?

[yosemiteben]

The tools are there, he just doesn't want to be THE MAN unless that means playing lockdown D and shooting corner 3's.

If he can also board and continue his 5 APG streak, that sounds perfect to me.

[Liver_Pooty]

Jesus, I pray that Lamb trade falls through now. Catch is totally fixated on Lamb being the starting SG, which is a freaking joke.

[catch20two]

You are getting too hung up on positions Catch. Both MKG and Batum can defend 2s and 3s with no problem. Offensively, Batum will play the McRoberts role at the top of the key, strong side, feeding Jefferson and then cutting or spotting up for 3s. MKG will still live in his shame corner.

Then what the hell Zeller gonna do? Stand out of bounds? Lol

[fatlever]

If I had a list of my top 5 all-time favorite realgm posts, this would definitely be on that list. I love randomly saying that to people just to see their confused reactions.

I am glad someone enjoyed my Twin Peaks pics tonight. I'm at the start of season 2 right now, but I can see why you guys loved the show so much. I can't wait for more great opportunities for Twin Peaks memes.

[DY_nasty]

TB fan here. Batum is good but I'm glad to be rid of him. No way we would've resigned him next year so I'm happy to get a prospect in return.

Batum will never be the guy that you think he is capable of becoming. The tools are there, he just doesn't want to be THE MAN unless that means playing lockdown D and shooting corner 3's. 3&D guys are great to have on your team in 2015's NBA, but like most other 3&D guys, he is overpaid and will become even more overpaid next year.

Also, his loyalty will never be to your team, it will always be to France and their national team. The NBA is his job, nothing more, nothing less. Not a knock, we all do things we don't love doing, but don't expect this guy to give you any fire or be a team leader. He saves it for summers in Europe.

His biggest benefit to you will be the flexibility he provides on defense. He can guard any 1-3 in the league. He will allow you to get by with a subpar defender at one or two of the other wing positions.

Our offense isn't good at creating corner 3s. How's his 3s on the wing and top of the key since he'll be our starting SG.

They'll be crap because unless our offense changes, our 'ideal' shots won't.

Our offense was literally designed around bad shots. I'm tired of posting the same wesuck stats every other day.

[catch20two]

Jesus, I pray that Lamb trade falls through now. Catch is totally fixated on Lamb being the starting SG, which is a freaking joke.

I'm not fixated on Lamb being the starting SG. I'm fixated on us making sure we make the right fit earn it in training camp and preseason like we did with the starting PF spot Zeller/Mcbob his rookie year instead of what we did the next year with Messy Marv. It could be Hairston for all I care. I'm just skeptical of Batum as a starting SG for the first time in his career fresh off a bad year.

[yosemiteben]

Our offense was literally designed around bad shots. I'm tired of posting the same wesuck stats every other day.

I would venture to guess you aren't the only one. Your point is valid and has been made. A lot.

[fatlever]

You are getting too hung up on positions Catch. Both MKG and Batum can defend 2s and 3s with no problem. Offensively, Batum will play the McRoberts role at the top of the key, strong side, feeding Jefferson and then cutting or spotting up for 3s. MKG will still live in his shame corner.

Then what the hell Zeller gonna do? Stand out of bounds? Lol

LOL, that sounds about right.

Nah, Zeller runs around to start each possession by setting a screen for Kemba, or getting a handoff from Kemba, then Kemba runs around in a big circle and get the ball back from Zeller in the same spot. Kemba then tries to beat his man off the dribble and either shoots a step back jumper or he hands the ball of to Batum who then starts the pass into Jefferson... result of said play is obviously a shot clock violation.

[Liver_Pooty]

Jesus, I pray that Lamb trade falls through now. Catch is totally fixated on Lamb being the starting SG, which is a freaking joke.

I'm not fixated on Lamb being the starting SG. I'm fixated on us making sure we make the right fit earn it in training camp and preseason like we did with the starting PF spot Zeller/Mcbob his rookie year instead of what we did the next year with Messy Marv. It could be Hairston for all I care. I'm just skeptical of Batum as a starting SG for the first time in his career fresh off a bad year.

Well, thats fair. We all know Batum is going to start regardless, but I can get that criticism.

Just please for the life of all of us don't start this starting Lamb tirade. Unless he tears it up, which he may. Who knows?

I don't know what to think after today.