Trade Batum

[BLAZER PROPHET]

If we need a PG to eventually replace Miller, it will have to be a good PG. Neither Rudy, or Bayless or Joel can be traded for such. It will have to be a core player. To me, the most expendable is Batum. Why? Frankly, I think Cunningham is a more than adequate replacement. In some ways, Cunningham is a better player. Maybe not ioverall, but in some ways. Batum + either Mayless or Rudy should be enough to land us a PG we can really trust to take us to the next level.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

GTFO with that idea!

 

[KingSpeed]

If Bosh comes back in the deal, I'm fine with that.

 

[rocketeer]

Frankly, I think Cunningham is a more than adequate replacement. In some ways, Cunningham is a better player.

how is cunningham an adequate replacement for batum when they don't play the same position?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Every team with championship aspirations needs EXACTLY the kind of player that Nic is. He jumped from a 12.5 PER to 17.5, he shot over 50% from the floor and 40%+ from three, he defended (well) the opponent's best scorer or point guard night in and night out and he didn't need somebody setting him up or specifically trying to get him going to be effective. And lastly, as much I generally like Dante's game, he's no replacement for Nic ... and neither is Martell.

GTFO indeed.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Yea cunningham is NOT a SF...not at all

 

[Ed O]

I'm not 100% set against trading Batum, but I'd rather not. He's trending upwards and demonstrates that he is going to be a capable offensive player and a potentially tremendous defensive one.

Unless we can get a potential stud at the PG spot, I don't think trading Batum makes sense.

Ed O.

 

[Ed O]

I agree with the OP that Cunningham will eventually settle into the small forward spot... or, rather, if he ever is more than a bench-level player, it will be because of an ability to play the three.

Ed O.

 

[Eastoff]

CUNNINGHAM IS NOT A SF!

I'm tired of these morons! Cunningham is a good power forward, BUT he is too slow to be a SF. Get it out of your head!

 

[axs88]

I think the draft is a better route to get our PG. Rondo, Lawson, Collison etc. all were low 1st round picks.

 

[Ed O]

Re: CUNNINGHAM IS NOT A SF!

I'm tired of these morons! Cunningham is a good power forward, BUT he is too slow to be a SF. Get it out of your head!

Is it really necessary to attack other posters personally because you disagree with us?

And if you REALLY think we're "morons" like Cunningham is a "good PF", then maybe it's a compliment... because Dante's not a good PF.

Ed O.

 

[Wheels]

I'm also in the camp that DC will be a kind of Tweener. Big for a SF, small for a PF.. not just STRICTLY a PF.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Dante is a nice enough player for the end of the bench, but let's not get carried away.

To trade Batum, you'd better be getting a major stud back - and someone young enough to be around for awhile.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Yea i would trade Batum for these 4 PG's only

Deron Williams
Rajon Rondo
Chris Paul
Derrick Rose

 

[STOMP]

Yea i would trade Batum for these 4 PG's only

Deron Williams
Rajon Rondo
Chris Paul
Derrick Rose

2nd... NB is a stud young talent, but pretty much no one is untouchable

STOMP

 

[KingSpeed]

Yea i would trade Batum for these 4 PG's only

Deron Williams
Rajon Rondo
Chris Paul
Derrick Rose

Looking at that list makes me laugh at a post in here a few months ago that said Andre Miller was a top 5 point guard in the league. Is he even top 10? The top 5 are Williams, Rondo, Paul, Rose, and Nash, right? Then there's Chauncey Billips, Jason Kidd, Nelson, Mo Williams, Tony Parker, and Russell Westbrook. How about Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Aaron Brooks, and Devin Harris? Geez- is Andre Miller even top 15?

Rank your top 10. I'm curious.

 

[rocketeer]

I agree with the OP that Cunningham will eventually settle into the small forward spot... or, rather, if he ever is more than a bench-level player, it will be because of an ability to play the three.

Ed O.

why? cunningham has not shown any ability to play the small forward position in the pros. he also hasn't played the small forward position at any level as far as i know. assuming that he settles into a position that he's never played and lacks the skill set to play doesn't really make sense.

 

[rocketeer]

Looking at that list makes me laugh at a post in here a few months ago that said Andre Miller was a top 5 point guard in the league. Is he even top 10? The top 5 are Williams, Rondo, Paul, Rose, and Nash, right? Then there's Chauncey Billips, Jason Kidd, Nelson, Mo Williams, Tony Parker, and Russell Westbrook. How about Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Aaron Brooks, and Devin Harris? Geez- is Andre Miller even top 15?

Rank your top 10. I'm curious.

no andre miller is not top 10 and is at best at the very bottom of the top 15. and i've been saying it all along. he's an average starter at his position.

 

[Ed O]

why? cunningham has not shown any ability to play the small forward position in the pros. he also hasn't played the small forward position at any level as far as i know. assuming that he settles into a position that he's never played and lacks the skill set to play doesn't really make sense.

He has demonstrated the ability based on what I've seen with his jumper and his defensive quickness.

He has also demonstrated that he is too small to be effective as a power forward.

He might never become anything in the league, but if he does it will be at the small forward spot.

Ed O.

 

[rocketeer]

He has demonstrated the ability based on what I've seen with his jumper and his defensive quickness.

so you're projecting that his defensive quickness at the pf spot with translate to being quick defensively at the sf spot as well? same with his jumper. it's good(or good enough for a bench player) as a big man. as a perimeter guy, it's not.

 

[axs88]

Looking at that list makes me laugh at a post in here a few months ago that said Andre Miller was a top 5 point guard in the league. Is he even top 10? The top 5 are Williams, Rondo, Paul, Rose, and Nash, right? Then there's Chauncey Billips, Jason Kidd, Nelson, Mo Williams, Tony Parker, and Russell Westbrook. How about Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Aaron Brooks, and Devin Harris? Geez- is Andre Miller even top 15?

Rank your top 10. I'm curious.

I thought Jason Kidd was done.

 

[Ed O]

so you're projecting that his defensive quickness at the pf spot with translate to being quick defensively at the sf spot as well? same with his jumper. it's good(or good enough for a bench player) as a big man. as a perimeter guy, it's not.

He will improve and become a SF. Or he won't improve and he will be out of the NBA in a couple of years.

Ed O.

 

[illmatic99]

We need an un-rep function.

 

[THE HCP]

Nic isn't going anywhere! Does too many things well. I like Dante, but he is not more valuable then Batum!

 

[BrianFromWA]

I'd like to see what would happen with a Nic-for-Steph Curry idea. I'd think that the upgrade from Miller's PG-with-Roy-ness to Curry's is higher than the downgrade from Batum to Webster.

 

[Idog1976]

Yea i would trade Batum for these 4 PG's only

Deron Williams
Rajon Rondo
Chris Paul
Derrick Rose

I think you have to consider John Wall's pick for Batum as well. Really though, I don't want to trade Batum. I just want a healthy fucking team!

 

[Drttimmy]

By potentially shoring up one need, you create another. The Lakers show how invalueable length is, and we demonstrated it two years ago. Once Batum develops his dribble drive, he's going to become a very dangerous offensive weapon and a guy who can exploit matchups such as the one he had against Nash in the playoffs. Its all about matchup advantages and he's one of our potential ace cards. Besides, like others have noted, point guards can be had later in the draft(Collison, Hill, Arenas, Lawson, Maynor, Brooks, etc). Let Pritchard tinker with his toy and further prove his worth.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Dante Cunningham definitely has the skill set to be a SF. I dont think there is anyone on the Blazers I would rather have taking a mid range jumper, and I'm sure he'll be able to extend that to the three point line if he hasn't already. Dante seems like the kind of guy that wouldn't shoot threes even if he could because Nate wouldn't like it (Channing Frye?). And he is very quick of defense. When he has been switched on SFs he has always done well. The few times he created off the dribble it worked. Most small forwards don't create off the dribble much anyways.. Neither of ours do. Does Jared Dudley create off the dribble?

 

[Blazer4ever]

I think the draft is a better route to get our PG. Rondo, Lawson, Collison etc. all were low 1st round picks.

Gal Meckel, from Israel... He's so far under the radar right now he could even go undrafted, but I'm telling you, the kid can play.

 

[Blaze01]

I think the draft is a better route to get our PG. Rondo, Lawson, Collison etc. all were low 1st round picks.

Actually, I think this may be the year where POR could pick up a good PG\hybrid PG....

There are several intriguing guards that may float down to the teens\twenties b\c of the depth of big men....

guys like Willie Warren, Eric Bledsoe, Avery Bradley, Elliot Williams