You be the GM: Batum

[magnifier661]

91.3% want him to stay. I voted stay as well. The only way I would ever be willing to see him go, is if we can get a strong back-up/starter capable center.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

He's gone. Left for France yesterday.

But he did say he'll be back in 3 months.

 

[Wheels]

I dont get rid of him for a backup personally. But yes I vote Stay.

 

[RR7]

As with everyone on the roster, I'd move him for the right pieces in return. But overall, would vote stay.

 

[magnifier661]

Henry Abbott: Nicolas Batum is great, and I'll fight anyone who says otherwise. But is he the golden child? He has been treated as such ... he's the player the Blazers refused to put into trades. He's every GM's "guy they have their eye on." He's the one the team traded up for so the other smart teams, namely the Spurs, couldn't nab him. He's a long defender with some offensive spice and just the right amount of mean streak. (Remember when he helpfully reminded Kobe Bryant how many times he had dunked on him?) With his length and ability, he has the potential to be a starter on an NBA championship team. But that would mean playoff series shutting down an elite scorer. That would mean great production on offense from few touches -- which is tough when you're making only 35 percent of your 3s. That would mean being the most intense player on the floor. And for my taste, he is too often the opposite. I love his potential, but can't wait to get past that phase, and into the part of his career with his about high PER and killer defensive highlights. He's valuable as hell, but still nowhere near what he could be.

I can 100% agree on this. I wish he could play PG. I truly think he has the quickness to guard other PG's, even the fast ones, and will be a match-up nightmare for other team's PGs to guard him. He needs to develop handles. I don't agree that he needs to "Bulk Up" as much as his shooting and ball handling. If he can get that down, we have our starting PG.

 

[maxiep]

Henry, he reminded Pau, not K*be.

That aside, Batum is arguably the best value on the Blazers. His production on a rookie contract? Just terrific. However, his salary ensures that it will be almost impossible to move him because the throw-ins won't be enough to offset what Nico brings to the table.

Is he available? Sure, but the price is really high.

I hate the French, but I voted "stay".

 

[oldmangrouch]

If "stay" means "only trade him for value" - then he is certainly a "stay."

Untouchable? No.

 

[Harry's Raincoat]

Stay!!

 

[Minstrel]

Yeah, "stay" and "go" are meaningless designations, IMO, without knowing what the deal in question would be. I'd put it this way: I consider Batum a good enough talent (when considering both current play and my perceived potential for him) to be a core player on a title-caliber team. So, I consider him a very valuable member of the team. For the right price, I'd trade him. The same is true for any other player on the roster.

 

[MAS RipCity]

If we want to win now, Batum is our best bet at that happening. Along with our expiring deals, I think he's our only real "realistic" trade piece. I just hope he becomes the great player we need him to be instead of becoming just another promising young player who never lives up to the hype. Personally, I'm 50-50 on Batum. If we keep him, cool. If we deal him, I hope he brings back another star to help out Crash and LA.

 

[HailBlazers]

Stay, but work hard this summer on ball handling, post up moves, and short range game. We need him to evolve into an attacker next year, Badly!