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.
Nic isn't going anywhere! Does too many things well. I like Dante, but he is not more valuable then Batum!
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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
I agree. The Lakers also are proof positive that it doesn't take a great point guard to win a title. In fact, the history of the league is filled with great PGs who have never won a ring. Batum's length and defensive abilities to guard just about anybody are truly special. I'd be very, very reluctant to part with him.
Maybe trading Batum for Darren Collison would make some sense. Both guys have the same kind of upside, IMO. You're basically trading size for PG ability. Batum would look pretty dang good playing next to Chris Paul, and Collison's ability to stroke three pointers fits nicely next to Roy.
1. Dante hasn't played enough for anybody to really have it dialed in what position he will play in the end game. 2. Dante played like a rookie this year, deferring a lot. When he stops deferring and playing with confidence, he will appear a much different player than he has so far.
no... not even if the Hornets included their #1 (assuming it's outside of top 3). I do not see these two as having the same sort of upside at all. They do have a need at SF though...Martell + PDX's 2010 #1 for DC is what I'd offer STOMP
This is my view, as well. I think Batum's upside is higher. I wouldn't mind bringing in Collison...either for what STOMP suggested or for Rudy/JPEC for Collison/bad contract. I might even go as high as Bayless, if they'd rather have a scoring guard alongside Paul, and I'm a pretty big believer in Bayless' upside. But Batum isn't a player I'd deal for Collison.
Marcus Thornton was a solid find for them last year (17.3 PER) and as a 2nd round pick, is dirt cheap. Besides depth, I don't see Bayless or Rudy offering much that MT doesn't... none of the three are big enough to swing to SF http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thornma01.html their needs are probably in the frontcourt and slashing payroll. A deal where they could add a #1 + Webster and filler for DC + dump the incredibly disappointing Posey (8.7 PER) might hold interest for them... Posey is due 13.5M over the next two seasons STOMP
