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Zach Lowe: Utah trade 1st rounder for Batum

Give it a year. If he has another meh season next year, I say we buy-low and trade for him. Hayward, Burks, Batum, and Hood as our wings would simply be deadly. The presence of Hayward makes him a little obsolete for the value he commands, unfortunately.

For those who think he's been crappy lately, look into the statlines he had while playing for France in FIBA this past summer. And before we dismiss FIBA performances, keep in mind that this was the same tournament where everything 'clicked' for Gobert.

Side note: I definitely had a trade thread suggesting we trade for Batum earlier this year. Still, I'm not really down-- especially with the emergence of Hood. Let Hood& Burks show us what they got, and then we can decide how to proceed with our wing rotation
 
People who think Batum sucks are morons. He's in an awkward fit with Portland, playing an AK role alongside their Booz & DWill. Fortunately for Batum, he's basically a better version of the late 2000s AK in almost every way.
 
Krakdol said:
Don't underestimate Batum. It's true he hasn't been great after his divorce and recent injuries but he was and still can be nearly a allstar.

He can shoot 3s, he can penetrate, he defends well even vs stars, he's a good passer, he can steal and block too. He just lacks a bit more fire inside. Quin Snyder could turn him into a allstar. It's only in the head for Batum. He just has to understand he must attack the basket a bit more and he's too unselfish.
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This. I would try to move him for a different asset though. OKC's pick would be ideal.

Batum could be really, really good. Especially next to Gobert.
 
A Batum trade is an intriguing proposition. He could be a really good player in a team with a strong defensive identity thanks to his length and he has that "swiss army knife" type of game where he is a very good rebounder and passer for his position (which helps if you have a gunner as a PG). But he plays Hayward's position and wouldn't mesh at all with the type of player Exum is (in a way he is a more experienced Exum type SF).

The key need for the team right now is a quality PG, not a player like Batum.

I think the FO will stay put this summer, draft and try to get a better idea of how the Hood/Burks and Burke/Exum rotations developp before, maybe, making decisions during the season as the deadline approaches.
 
I'm not sure about Nic Batum. He's very puzzling. I don't watch enough Portland games to say if he's misutilized or if he's not good enough to play consistenly on a higher level. But whenever he plays for the French team, he's a stud regardless of competition. He scores on anyone for them and creates so much for others with his passing.
 
BTP said:
I'm not sure about Nic Batum. He's very puzzling. I don't watch enough Portland games to say if he's misutilized or if he's not good enough to play consistenly on a higher level. But whenever he plays for the French team, he's a stud regardless of competition. He scores on anyone for them and creates so much for others with his passing.
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Well both Lillard and Aldridge are shoot first scorers, so there might be something to there just not being enough shots for him to feel comfortable engaging in a scoring role. LMA and DA combine for roughly 37 FGA per game. The highest two FGA players on our team (Hayward and Burke) combine for 27 FGA per game (and we all know Burke's need to go down by at least 4).
 
Piggy-backing off my GS trade, do you take Batum or Barnes? Who would you rather have?

Barnes is 4 million then a FA.
Batum is 11 million then a FA.

Both will probably get similar deals as free agents.

Batum is 26. Barnes is 22. Barnes shoots 48% and 40% from three. Batum is 45% and 36%.

If you are Utah, and both deals are on the table, who do you choose?
 
I use to really like Batum, He could do a little bit of everything and played great defense. But this season he has struggled, I can't say what his problem is as I havent watched enough games...but my buddies in Portland all want him gone due to his high price tag. I'd have to say no to the trade, but if it happened I'd find a way to be happy with it
 
Eenie-Meenie said:
Batum is an All-Star caliber talent and still relatively young. You trade a first-rounder for him, except maybe a top-3 pick, any day of the week.
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Agreed. He had an off year, maybe an aberration, maybe not. It is concerning, but is it worth the risk? Probably. If he's happy and one of the primary scoring options, I think he flourishes. He's 4th fiddle in Portland. Lillard and Aldridge take most of their opportunities. On our team, he would be one of our primary scoring options. Plus, he's decent defensively. I'd take a chance on him if it only costs a late lottery pick (or Burke would be even better).
 
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