Blazers turn down #4 for Batum?

[jonathanlambert33]

http://twitter.com/chadfordinsider

Crazy if true, I don't know who their GM is, but what is he doing? Passing up guys like Johnson, Favors, Cousins?

 

[Pugz]

well i like what i just read when i clicked that link. udoh to golden state and monroe to detroit
but i really dont know if thats true. if it is..wow. i just cant see that getting passed up, must be more to it or just total nonsense.

 

[elcheato]

Batum averaged 11 a game on 52% FG, 41% 3s, 84% FTs with solid defense and only 21 years old.. A lot better then any SF in the draft available at 4, because it looks like Wes will be gone at 3.

 

[SaintFan25]

I have mixed feelings about this if it is in fact true. I would have loved to get Cousins but personally I love Batum, he has a lot of potential. He's already a great defensive player and he has shown a lot of upside to his offensive game this past season. If we accepted this trade we would need a SF more then any other postion since all we'd have is an inconsistent Martel Webster and Batum is easily better then any of the SF available since Wes would be gone by the 4 spot as elcheato said. I'm bias however being a Blazer fan but I would have probably turned this down as well.

 

[RipCity32]

Batum is good but not 5 talent. Stupid for Portland not to do it.

 

[elcheato]

Not the point.. Blazers are a team who is looking to compete for a title. They can't afford to weaken their SF position in favor of adding to their log jam at center/PF.

 

[RipCity32]

I highly doubt the Nets actually take Johnson though. I'm a firm believer that it's just a smokescreen.

 

[elcheato]

Well lets say they can get Wes.. Him putting up Batum's averages on this Blazers team would be unlikely.. And Batum is coming off that year, still very young, with a chance to be a very good player. Hes actually younger then Wes too.

 

[RipCity32]

TBH, I wouldn't even draft Wes.
I would indeed add another big such as Cousins or Favors.

They really don't have a huge longjam, and if they feel that is an issue I'm sure they could easily find a serviceable SF for Oden.

 

[elcheato]

They won't trade Oden.. You can't just cut your losses 2 years after picking him #1. Aldridge-Oden-Camby-Przybilla is enough even with health concerns. If this is a rebuilding team yea you take a big man to go with that but they're not rebuilding. Batum is better then any SF they can get at #4, and they are pretty weak at SF outside of Batum, since Rudy wants out and Webster blows.

 

[RipCity32]

Johnson might be older, but he could potentially be an All-Star caliber SF, which is why he is a top 5 pick. Batum is a good player but I really don't see him getting a whole lot better even if he is younger.

I think they would benefit from making the deal, and not making the deal, so I'll agree with you a little bit on what you said.

 

[Pugz]

batum is the guy to keep. they cant deal oden yet, theyll hold on to him for a while unless a no brainer offer comes up for him. like dan said, they need batum. wes will be solid, he may even be better than batum in two years but for now batum will only get better and should be the full time starter next season.


but this would be a tough call to make, i cant say if id do it or not.