If we trade one of the Lotto picks, which one is more likely to go?

Would a team that signed Batum to a RFA offer sheet even want a sign-and-trade?

 

That's correct. Any trade of the pick before the draft would have to meet salary matching requirements. A trade of one or more picks for an established player without the Blazers taking any contract back could be agreed to in principle, but couldn't be finalized until after the July signing moratorium.

 

And then you have to get Batum to agree to sign with Toronto, which he might not want to do. Seems kinda risky, hoping that Toronto will keep to their end of the bargain. I think Nic wants to at least explore free agency and see what he can get.

 

Batum can't be traded at all until July since he's on an ending contract.

 

I read it the same way you did, Papa. I, too, understood what Nate was getting at after his explanation. #6 is always more valuable than #11, but teams may not be looking to get up to #6 - they like the potential of what they can find at #11 at a lower cost or value.

As for Olshey.... I saw that. They were also talking like maybe Morway was falling out of the running. He's in the running in Orlando, so that may be playing into it. Bower is the one of the 4 I am least thrilled about.

 

I said value when I should have said demand, or explained what value meant a little better.

 

I would say #11...though they probably shouldn't trade either one of them....I just don't see any of the names being mentioned out there as worth what they could get for #6....