Timberwolves’ candid Glen Taylor offers glimpse inside front office

Its all a business. Batum knew we wouldn't give him the kind of money the Twolves would outright. Every RFA says they want to play for the team they sign with, then when they get matched there all happy to be back and never wanted to leave (well save Eric Gordan who is about as big a drama queen as there is).
I do think he was a little tired of how he was used in Portland and wanted a change to a play style he liked more. Even if Batum really wanted out and his "heart" was in Minny, he doesn't seem like the kind of player who is going to sulk and cause problems because of we matched.

 

The Blazers didn't really need to be on any list of Batum's because it was pretty clear they were always a last resort, if nothing more.

Batum had nuclear options at his disposal. He could've threatened to sit out; refused to play in Portland. Or, he could've accepted the qualifying offer, played a season earning less-than-market salary, and then bolted in Summer 2013. He didn't do either one. That doesn't necessarily mean he's "thrilled" to be back in Portland. But it also means he wasn't willing to go to extreme measures to avoid it.