The here & now tells us to keep the talent we have and work to improve the talent base. We decrease that base by letting Batum walk. If he doesn't want to be here then trade him.
but...trade LaMarcus for what? Reasonable contract, early prime of his career, not going to dump him for a non-all star player that's younger than him. you have to have a plan. hoping to draft early in the lottery isn't a plan. its what organizations with no plan or direction do.
we have plenty of assets. 5 rookies. bunch of 2nd and 3rd year players on cheap contracts. cap space. dont' really need to take back bad contracts or overpay Batum when he doesn't want to be here.