Buttah304 wrote:I'm completely on board going after a guy with legitimate playmaking ability and defense and that's Batum. I know we need a true PG more then anything, but we're looking at the likes of Conley at 20+ Per Year (VOMIT) or an older Rondo who just so happened to have a great statistical year when he's due a contract (DO NOT TRUST).
Point is we have a guy in Melo who just had the best passing year of his career and lead our team with 4.2 APG (I think he even had 30 games with 5 or more assists). If you add a guy like Batum who just averaged 5.8 APG, you cannot deny that it would add a certain dynamic to the team. If you have Grant work like an animal over the summer and comes back with a better 3 point shot, improved floater, and a respectible step back J, he could be a bargain for what he's costing. I just want to keep as much money open for 2017 as possible when the PG List for FA is as talented as it gets.
Grant
Batum
Melo
KP
ROLO
*My only concern is can Batum play the 2 Spot - I truly have not seen him enough to know if he's capable.
I'm not sure if you are aware, but the Max contract available for Batum will be 27+ million dollars per year, which he might be offered. Even if Dwill and AA opt out, we would have to stretch Jose to have to money to pay him. Leaving us with no bench and no money remaining for a bench. If this were Durant, I do that, but this is Niclas Batum...
Even if we had the money to spend with enough left over to keep Dwill, Lance Thomas and sign another solid bench guy, I don't believe that Batum is worth 27 million dollars per year. I'd have a hard time offering him 20million per year to be honest. Max contracts, in my opinion, should be given to a select few players, who are the absolute best in the game, like Westbrook, Curry, LeBron, Kawai, etc. Batum is a solid 3rd option and maybe a 2nd, but not the lead on a
contender . He's the #2 on the hornets right now, and they are a nice team, but not a contender.
Easy pass for me considering our financial situation and the money he'll be demanding.