Nic Batum

[todd_days_41]

It's an interesting discussion. In hindsight there are pros and cons, but I don't think anybody would have thought it would be a good idea to take on Batum's contract two months ago.

I did raise the discussion back then, though I'll admit I was hardly as vigorous as I'm putting out there now.

[gouki88]

I’ll be the first to admit I thought Batum was well and truly cooked. He’s been solid this year. Obviously past his prime, but still a useful player.

That said, not sure we had any interest in him. Once his salary wasn’t an issue I feel like he probably wanted to play in LA - lifestyle and a perceived closeness to a championship, all the while still being able to be a starter. Only one of those things is comparable in Boston (championship contention).

[todd_days_41]

I’ll be the first to admit I thought Batum was well and truly cooked. He’s been solid this year. Obviously past his prime, but still a useful player.

That said, not sure we had any interest in him. Once his salary wasn’t an issue I feel like he probably wanted to play in LA - lifestyle and a perceived closeness to a championship, all the while still being able to be a starter. Only one of those things is comparable in Boston (championship contention).

Are the Cs championship contenders?

We'll not know if there was interest from the Cs in having him, leaving aside his high salary. But no question the Cs needed bench wings (thus all the over-frothing about Nesmith when he was drafted). I seriously doubt the Celts looked at their wing depth of Ojeleye, Green, etc., and thought: "where would we even fit Batum in the rotation?"

[gouki88]

I’ll be the first to admit I thought Batum was well and truly cooked. He’s been solid this year. Obviously past his prime, but still a useful player.

That said, not sure we had any interest in him. Once his salary wasn’t an issue I feel like he probably wanted to play in LA - lifestyle and a perceived closeness to a championship, all the while still being able to be a starter. Only one of those things is comparable in Boston (championship contention).

Are the Cs championship contenders?

We'll not know if there was interest from the Cs in having him, leaving aside his high salary. But no question the Cs needed bench wings (thus all the over-frothing about Nesmith when he was drafted). I seriously doubt the Celts looked at their wing depth of Ojeleye, Green, etc., and thought: "where would we even fit Batum in the rotation?"

I think so. Given how disrupted our season in particular has been, with a uniquely unfortunate blend of injuries, recoveries from injuries and COVID infections, I think we're doing well to be above .500. Only need to look as far as Miami to see how bad it can hurt teams.

I definitely agree. But I also believe that the potential to use the TPE on a much better win player, like Barnes or Gordon, is a much better option than Batum.

[todd_days_41]

I’ll be the first to admit I thought Batum was well and truly cooked. He’s been solid this year. Obviously past his prime, but still a useful player.

That said, not sure we had any interest in him. Once his salary wasn’t an issue I feel like he probably wanted to play in LA - lifestyle and a perceived closeness to a championship, all the while still being able to be a starter. Only one of those things is comparable in Boston (championship contention).

Are the Cs championship contenders?

We'll not know if there was interest from the Cs in having him, leaving aside his high salary. But no question the Cs needed bench wings (thus all the over-frothing about Nesmith when he was drafted). I seriously doubt the Celts looked at their wing depth of Ojeleye, Green, etc., and thought: "where would we even fit Batum in the rotation?"

I think so. Given how disrupted our season in particular has been, with a uniquely unfortunate blend of injuries, recoveries from injuries and COVID infections, I think we're doing well to be above .500. Only need to look as far as Miami to see how bad it can hurt teams.

I definitely agree. But I also believe that the potential to use the TPE on a much better win player, like Barnes or Gordon, is a much better option than Batum.

You could still’ve traded Batum for those guys, or dudes like DeRozen, Vucevic, etc., although it is slightly more complicated for guys under $20M like Gordon.

Again, it’s not an identical asset to the TPE. It’d have had some advantages and disadvantages in comparison. We’ll see if the TPE gets used.