Offseason target no.1: Nic Batum

[Joe Berry]

So if anyone hasn't noticed yet, the Pistons are way too one dimensional offensively and depend on Reggie way too much. If he is having a bad game the Pistons lose 99% of the time.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/SethPartnow/status/683381884978475008[/tweet]

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SVG system is build around a ball-dominant PG and it works well if the Reggie & Dre PnR works and the other guys are hitting the 3. But more often than not it doesn't work that well. Part of the problem is we don't really have a secondary ballhandler, shot maker & creator on the wing. Morris is not a great passer and more effective in isolation/midrange. KCP didnt show enough progress to handle any increased role on offense.

For SVG system to work really well we need a Hedo Turkoglu type of player. I hope Stanley someday can become that player. But for now Batum fits that description perfectly. He can defend, shot the 3, handle the ball and set up others for easy shots, plus he is only 27. He can play SG and SF and could play together with any of KCP/Stanley/Morris. He is a unrestricted free agent and wings with that type of skill set are really in demand in todays NBA and hard to come by. It won't be easy to get him but even more so than another and better stretch 4 (Ryan Anderson) he could be the missing piece back to title contention.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3416/nicolas-batum

[Pharaoh]

Yes!

As a Batum fantasy owner I couldn't agree more.

Would take a massive amount of money to get him though.

Dre
Morris
Batum
KCP
RJ

With Illy, SJ & BJ off the bench...

[pistontr]

SVG system is not build around a ball-dominant PG. We have not a play making wing other than Stanley johnson. Other wings barely can dribble.

[Joe Berry]

Batums versatility would also allow a lineup with him at SG and Stanley at SF if Stanley develops like we all hope he does. Or a Dre/Stanley/Batum/KCP/RJ lineup. It would allow us to play a bit more Golden State multiple position like type of basketball other than PG & C, which is where the league is headed. It certainly would put pressure on KCP to earn his starting spot, because right now SVG is playing KCP by default because he has no competition for the starting spot.

And yes it would probably take a max kind of offer in this market and because everyone is looking for this kind of wing player right now. Then again the Magic once overpaid Rashard Lewis and it worked out pretty well, because he was the perfect fit for SVG system. I dont see the problem with overpaying if you are sure its for the right kind of player who can put you over the top.

[coordinator0]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Pistons went after Batum hard in free agency. He might be second only to Horford. Batum isn't worth a max contract, but something close to it might be what it takes to lure him to Detroit. Would it be worth it? Probably not in the eyes to many, but I don't think Gores, Van Gundy, or Bower would hesitate to overpay a bit if it makes them a significantly better team.

Beal could be interesting too, and with his durability issues that might make Washington hesitate on matching a big offer sheet. I still doubt they wouldn't though and I'm not sure how great Beal is anyways. He would make a big improvement on the team though. That's the type of move I could see the Pistons benching Caldwell-Pope for.

[Cowology]

sold.

[Kilo]

Target 1B for me - still want to see if Horford is a possibility first. But we did have interest in Batum in the off-season, IIRC we offered a flip of firsts but Portland took the other offer.

[princeofpalace]

Guys I want: Fournier, Batum, Crabbe

[BadMofoPimp]

With Morris and SJ on the team, the Pistons won't target a SF aka Batum etc. They will target PF's or SG's.

[coordinator0]

Guys I want: Fournier, Batum, Crabbe

I wouldn't get your hopes up for Crabbe. He's a RFA and Portland will have a ton of cap space with nobody else worth re-signing to a significant deal. Fournier is restricted too but the Magic might be a bit more likely to let him go given their glut of wings, but I doubt it.

[sc8581]

Guess you guys are done telling me how Batum is done, overrated etc..like you did all summer when I wanted to trade for him.

[coordinator0]

Guess you guys are done telling me how Batum is done, overrated etc..like you did all summer when I wanted to trade for him.

Lots of people around here wanted Batum. Just not for the 8th pick. I still wouldn't trade Johnson for him either.

[Snakebites]

Sure.

He'd be a wonderful fit here, we'd absolutely love to have him. Given he's good at a ton of things that are in demand right now, lots and lots of teams with money to spend will have an interest in him. No reason not to give it a try, but it will be tough.

[Neptune]

Nah, let Stanley develop and make him our starting 3. We need to upgrade the 2-guard and 4 position more than anything.

[Todd3]

Totally agree. We may not get him but he should definitely be the #1 option in FA. He is basically the Horford of SGs . Can do just about everything on both ends, smart, experienced, and would fit perfect. He can run the offense at times so Reggie doesn't have to every play, but can also play off the ball just as well to compliment Reggie's strength as a penetrator.

While Horford would be great, I think Batum is more realistic, and also think SG is the bigger priority. Even if we don't upgrade PF we will still be solid there with Ersan and Morris' ability to play 4 if necessary. We really need an upgrade at SG though.

There is also a chance we could end up getting Markieff to be our upgrade at PF.

PG: Reggie
SG: Batum
SF: Morris
PF: Morris
C: Drummond

6th man: Johnson

That would be a great core. Then use whatever money is left in FA/trades to remake the bench.

[Todd3]

Nah, let Stanley develop and make him our starting 3. We need to upgrade the 2-guard and 4 position more than anything.

With Morris and SJ on the team, the Pistons won't target a SF aka Batum etc. They will target PF's or SG's.

Batum is starting at SG this year for CHA and having a career year. He's a unique player like Tayshaun in that he is closer to a SF in size, but has the flexibility to guard SGs so he can play both positions. And because he is so skinny, SG might actually be his best spot, where he doesn't have to guard brutes in the post like he does at SF. He can use his height to his advantage on offense, posting up and shooting over smaller defenders at SG, while having the length to make it tough on them on defense, but still have the athleticism to chase them around.

At 6-8, he is really only an inch taller than Rip. Paired with Reggie at 6-3, we could recreate that oversized backcourt we had with Chauncey/Rip that caused teams so many matchup problems.

[DocRI]

I'd love Batum. Heck, how could anyone with eyes NOT want a guy like him on their team? He's an offensive Swiss Army Knife and a seriously plus-level defender. Every franchise in the league should want him, and every franchise with cap space will surely at least make an obligatory phone call to his agent this summer.

Moreover, I've been on the, "We need another facilitator in the lineup!" bandwagon for years; in fact, I argued against us signing a strictly "3&D" SF last offseason for that very reason. For the past few seasons, all the best teams — GS, SA, OKC, CLE, MIA (before LeBron left) — all featured multiple guys who could create for themselves and others. Considering how SVG is constructing our team, we absolutely need a wing who can both facilitate and spread the floor (i.e. "The Turkoglu Role"). Stanley could absolutely develop into that, but hey, if having one such wing is good, having a pair of 'em with him and Batum would be even better!

[El Chivo]

I'd prefer a trade for Gallo

[Pugz]

I'd prefer a trade for Gallo

maybe a few years ago but his health is concerning. batum is actually a good target. we'd have to figure out what to do with kcp or stanley but batum brings multiple things this team needs

[Snakebites]

Nah, let Stanley develop and make him our starting 3. We need to upgrade the 2-guard and 4 position more than anything.

Johnson and Batum could play together just fine.