Hadn't thought about that angle, that'd be really smart! Too smart perhaps...I'm a Batum hater compared to most. I think he's close to maxed out his potential, but if we could sign him for 8 mill, or MAYBE 9, I'd have no problem at all keeping him around as a starter and 3rd(ish) option. It's just that this free agency market has driven the prices up for EVERYONE and it makes a lot more sense to go after Hibbert than Batum. I don't know what we do if we get neither though, which is a very real possibility.
He's only 23 years old!!! To think he's "close" to maxed out his potential is a little near sighted imo. Will he ever be the player most built him up to be? No, but the guy can still improve on what he does now. Having said that I wouldn't match at 12 mil.
Yeah, he's solid and will improve but no way is he worth a borderline max deal. I just hate the fact that his agent is so combative with the Blazers. There were S&T's that really could have helped now and in the long-term.
I say that because he's been in the league long enough, and had enough opportunities to step into a bigger role, but just hasn't. I could see him being an 18ppg guy someday, but wouldn't pay 50 million in hopes of that. I do think he will get better, but we can't just assume he'll finally "get it" and become dominant. I'd love to be wrong, and I would be overjoyed if he proves me wrong, but ultimately I just would rather pay Hibbert the max than a wing player averaging 14/5. His per36 the last three years have been 15/6, 14/5/ 16/5. As a sidenote, I think it's funny when people (not directing this at you bigbailes) will discount draft picks because of age, assuming they can't improve when they hit the league, or when they come into a system that fits them, and yet we freakout about young players like Batum and others because of their potential after having been in the league for a decent amount of time.
What's wrong having Wesley being a starter, he is a SG afterall ? For him wanting to participate in the summer league is a good thing. Perhaps he knows he was not happy with himself with his shooting last season. So is he wanting to prove everyone whose doubting him? Think about his mindset.
