Is there anyway we can get Nicolas Batum?

[Monkhouse]

I know its a long stretch, but I really like this guys game.

I'd give Jeff Green, Courtney Lee, and Vitor Faverani with a first protected pick for Nicolas Batum/Meyers Leonard.

I'd like to think if we can just get a good slashing/jump shooting SG, that Batum would be an great asset for us.

I know the Blazers won't trade him, as he's been a great piece to their success. But maybe if they believe they could upgrade from Green who is a better player right now, and try to contend with Green being their 3rd or 4th best player on their team.

What do you guys think?

I think if we grab Asik, that our team would arguably be a great defensive team especially with Batum spreading the floor, and is a great passer averaging 4.7 APG this year. Hes also improved in every area statistically, and is known as a great chase down blocker. I've seen him literally run from full court, and literally blocking the living daylights out of players in a Lebron-esque way. He also imitates Dikembe Mutombo's signature finger wag to players/crowd, (can't do players anymore as that is considered taunting, and players may be hit with a technical,) not to mention his wing span is great for giving space to shooters, but minimizing that ala Kawhi Leonard.

I even think a line up of

Rondo
Bradley
Batum
Sullinger
Asik

Would be a hard team to stop, defensively, and offensively given Batum's ability to pass.

[nickagneta]

Are you saying Green is a better player than Batum? If you are then why is Boston giving up so much more in a trade for Batum?

Kind of confused here.

[Monkhouse]

Are you saying Green is a better player than Batum? If you are then why is Boston giving up so much more in a trade for Batum?

Kind of confused here.

Understand your confusion, Green is the better player right now, and in my opinion actually matches well with what the Blazers are looking for. Green is having a better 3 pt field goal percentage, but doesn't rebound or assist as well.

Green is a better defender from what I've seen, but statistically in terms of rebounding/assist isn't better.

And we're giving up so much, because there is no doubt Batum will be better than Green ever was once he hits his prime. And sorry, Batum is 25 now, just turned 25 16 days ago. We're trading our 2nd best player for a 3rd or 4rd best player on a potential contending team that may want to upgrade their position for now, in hopes of obtaining a better more solid player with huge upside.

And I actually wouldn't give them a draft pick.

[kozlodoev]

Batum is not a better player than Green, he's just a different player -- just as complementary a piece as Green is. This is the definition of a lateral move, not making us any better, not addressing a position of need, and ultimately not really necessary.

[Fafnir]

I think Batum is a better player than Green, but not a by a ton. He's also paid more than Green, so I don't really see how we'd end up acquiring him. Especially now that the Trailblazers are on a roll to start the season.

[Monkhouse]

Batum is not a better player than Green, he's just a different player -- just as complementary a piece as Green is. This is the definition of a lateral move, not making us any better, not addressing a position of need, and ultimately not really necessary.

I definitely think without a doubt Batum is a better player than Green, and will surpass him in the future by far. Green is just a better efficient scorer which the Blazers may want. The Blazers emphasize 3 point shooting, with excessive ball movement, so this may be a huge hitch in their plan considering the fact Green isn't a good passer. But I would like to believe if push come to shove, Green may be a great complimentary player.

I think Batum is a better player than Green, but not a by a ton. He's also paid more than Green, so I don't really see how we'd end up acquiring him. Especially now that the Trailblazers are on a roll to start the season.

Well I do believe if we can give them Courtney Lee as a great solid SG/SF with great defense, which the Blazers have been improving on, and Vitor to add more better depth at the C, they may be thinking hard about it.

[kozlodoev]

Batum is not a better player than Green, he's just a different player -- just as complementary a piece as Green is. This is the definition of a lateral move, not making us any better, not addressing a position of need, and ultimately not really necessary.

I definitely think without a doubt Batum is a better player than Green, and will surpass him in the future by far. Green is just a better efficient scorer which the Blazers may want. The Blazers emphasize 3 point shooting, with excessive ball movement, so this may be a huge hitch in their plan considering the fact Green isn't a good passer. But I would like to believe if push come to shove, Green may be a great complimentary player.

Batum is a better playmaker and rebounder than Batum, Green is a better scorer and defender. It's pretty much a wash.

I don't see what's the value in adding Batum to a team where you expect to have a starting SG who plays big minutes and is best with the ball in his hands, thus my general skepticism about the trade.

edit: I also have no idea why you think Batum will surpass Green. Batum has been pretty much the same player for the past 4 years (with a small blip in his contract year), and definitely the same player over the last two.

[guava_wrench]

I like Batum. He seems a great piece to have on a top team. Green, well, he seems like a perpetual tease.

Batum is also 2 years younger. On the downside, he is paid almost 3 million more.

Of course, Portland likes him too. I don't see them trading him.

[action781]

As someone who has owned Batum in a keeper fantasy basketball league for 4 years, I can agree with kozlodoev in that we pretty know what Batum is going to be as a player in his career.  Aside from assists, he hasn't made any huge leaps in his game over his entire career really that isn't almost entirely related to playing time.  And to be honest, in watching him, I haven't actually seen a real noticeable improvement in his passing over that time, he was always a pretty decent ball mover in my opinion.

He's an excellent complementary piece, don't get me wrong, but he's paid very handsomely for what he does and I don't see him improving much.

[chambers]

He's a little too much like Jeff Green for my liking.
They were both expected to make another step to stardom and have remained as mediocre/slightly superior role players who are arguably overpaid (depending who you ask).
Great 3rd or 4th option, but just hasn't shown the improvement he should have shown by now.
Would rather 'invest' in someone like Lance Stephenson for that money while he's really young and coming out of a program like the Pacers.

[hwangjini_1]

Batum is not a better player than Green, he's just a different player -- just as complementary a piece as Green is. This is the definition of a lateral move, not making us any better, not addressing a position of need, and ultimately not really necessary.

I definitely think without a doubt Batum is a better player than Green, and will surpass him in the future by far. Green is just a better efficient scorer which the Blazers may want. The Blazers emphasize 3 point shooting, with excessive ball movement, so this may be a huge hitch in their plan considering the fact Green isn't a good passer. But I would like to believe if push come to shove, Green may be a great complimentary player.

Batum is a better playmaker and rebounder than Batum, Green is a better scorer and defender. It's pretty much a wash.

I don't see what's the value in adding Batum to a team where you expect to have a starting SG who plays big minutes and is best with the ball in his hands, thus my general skepticism about the trade.

edit: I also have no idea why you think Batum will surpass Green. Batum has been pretty much the same player for the past 4 years (with a small blip in his contract year), and definitely the same player over the last two.

i would have thought that they would be dead even with one another, but what do i know? 

[Neurotic Guy]

First, I agree with Hwangjini that Batum is dead even with Batum.

I also agree with Kozlodoev that this is essentially a complementary player for complementary player trade.  If a trade isn't giving us the next star or the asset (pick) to get the next star, I'm not interested.  Small upgrades, even if this were one, are not where we should be -- especially if the upgrade pushes us from 35 to 38 wins and into the playoffs. 

Asik is a unique player at his position, so I guess that upgrade would be useful long-term, but I hope the next trade will be to either fully tank and get more future assets, or, be for a star. I hope Danny waits for the offer he can't refuse or the player he covets, and avoids the nickels and dimes (for now).

[kozlodoev]

First, I agree with Hwangjini that Batum is dead even with Batum.

I must claim the credits to this one.

[hwangjini_1]

First, I agree with Hwangjini that Batum is dead even with Batum.

I also agree with Kozlodoev that this is essentially a complementary player for complementary player trade.  If a trade isn't giving us the next star or the asset (pick) to get the next star, I'm not interested.  Small upgrades, even if this were one, are not where we should be -- especially if the upgrade pushes us from 35 to 38 wins and into the playoffs. 

Asik is a unique player at his position, so I guess that upgrade would be useful long-term, but I hope the next trade will be to either fully tank and get more future assets, or, be for a star. I hope Danny waits for the offer he can't refuse or the player he covets, and avoids the nickels and dimes (for now).

my thoughts are dead even with yours. 

really though, both K and you have good thoughts on trades this year. marginal upgrades are ok IF they provide a younger version of a veteran so as to build for the future.

or perhaps it is ok if a new player can provide a complimentary piece for the arrival of 2 stars. (though how ainge would know which piece is a puzzle in and of itself.)

the worst idea is to upgrade this season to 38 wins. nothing good is really accomplished for the team and its future.

my personal preference is to turn some of the mediocre/average players into assets. (i am looking at you humpy.)

this year has nothing to do with winning and everything to do with the future and player development...which is one reason why i hope the kids get playing time. we already know what wallace can do, and it aint pretty.

[hwangjini_1]

First, I agree with Hwangjini that Batum is dead even with Batum.

I must claim the credits to this one.

done. tp for ya.