Trading Batum makes no sense unless you are completely blowing up the team and starting over... from scratch = no Aldridge. Batum is a perfect role player or 3rd option in the offense. We need to use the draft picks and salary cap $$$ to get a #1 stud like D.Williams!
Batum is a complimentary player. He would be a great fit if Roy and Oden were still on the squad and healthy. The fact of the matter is that this team is rebuilding and needs stars that can score to build on rather than overpaying a role player. That being said, there's no team that's going to pay homey 10 mil a year. He's 8 mil per tops I bet (which is still too much for his production IMHO).
I'd look at maybe Minnesota -- Derrick Williams is a player who has a high ceiling and I think they'd bite on this deal.
Sign him and then trade him. He's not worth what he'll be making. He has reached his ceiling and it is low.
San Antonio has three players making more than 10M on the books next season before signing Duncan. I do not see them being able to sign Batum to a huge offer sheet and they lack quality assets for a sign and trade. I think we will listen to offers but will probably overpay for a four year contract by matching.
I'd be fine with trading him. His offense is nice but limited and inconsistent and I've always thought his defense as a whole has been pretty overrated. He has length, but his foot speed and strength and defensive IQ is below average imo.
Some ideas -- Batum plus this years pick (if needed): -Batum for Derreck Williams -Batum for Evan Turner -Batum for Nikola Mirotic -Batum for Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson would be the only one I'd consider. I'd really only trade him for an UPGRADE at the position, not potential or a downgrade. Something like a Danny Granger or Igoudala.
Just kinda' sucks the best players available on a few mock drafts as of right now at our draft positions are both SFs!
Batum hasn't distinguished himself as being anything above an average starter, and that's not an insult, if you're good enough to start in the NBA you've got skills, but he's not a difference maker, or a star.. 7-8 mil is about what you'd pay for an average starting quality player.