I have been a HUGE Batum believer but I question that now. He's reached his ceiling and while he's an OK player I have become a little disillusioned with him. Deng is more aggressive and maybe that's what we need.
A few big things is that he turned down 10m a year from the Bulls. He will want at least that much from us. The next big thing is that Batum is a much better play maker then Deng and Batum runs our offense almost as much as Lillard does, losing Batum would be HUGE on how effective our offense is.
Let's say this rumor is true. Let's further say the Blazers are actually considering it. I wonder if maybe the Blazers brass is thinking that they have seen the best possible this team has to offer and maybe they think a Deng may make us more aggressive and give us a better chance for this year to go far into the playoffs. Then Deng can go and we will free up cap space and see what we get.
The FA market isn't that great this off season so unless the object is to do a lopsided trade we would just end up overpaying someone who isn't going to be as good as Batum if we let Deng walk. Trading Batum for Deng would be an idea I would be okay with if we had a legit backup ball handler in the second unit but we really don't. Mo is very inconistant and is more of a spark plug then a floor general and CJ its to early to tell what his roll really will be so if you take our Batum our Offense isn't going to be nearly the same and it will really leave us wanting for a player who can create for his teammates because we would be down to really Lillard who could do so in the starting unit and no one really to do it off the bench. Deng also isn't the greatest 3 point shooter (33% for career) and that something all our wings really need to be able to do in Stotts offense. It would definitely be a "win now" mode move that would help us in the playoffs this year but I think hurt us as a team down the line.
The thing is, Batum has been more consistent than many posters give him credit for. I've seen many games where Batum was given the task of focusing on facilitating and rebounding, or playing lock down defense, and after playing a great game, posters are busting his balls because he wasn't aggressive enough creating or taking his own shots, and even saying he had a crappy game when the opposite was true. Batum has been every bit as consistent as Lillard this season, IMO, they just have a different job to do. And why would we need Deng's offensive aggressiveness in the starting 5? We have plenty of scorers. That's why Batum sublimates his scoring effort for the good of the team. To much derision, it seems.
Not a bad possible theory if that gives us cap space? does it? I know some of you are experts on this...where would we be at if we did not re-sign Deng?
I like Deng, and get frustrated with some of nic's passes, but feel like a straight swap would hurt us a lot more than help, because of shooting and passing. If we got more as a few others mentioned, I'd consider it, in a follow up deal. But wouldn't move them straight up.
I am not advocating the idea of making this trade (If the rumors were actually true) but Deng's skill set would fit in as well. He is a better defender (Right now) and he also attacks the basket better. Which we lack. No doubt if he stayed healthy and was willing to re-sign.... that it would be an intriguing trade.
I spoke to a contact who is is familiar with Rudoy (Batum's agent). He said he had heard nothing and doubts any 1-for-1 deal involving Batum/Deng due to Deng's contract status. Now he did say if Cleveland were open to a secondary deal (like what has been proposed) and if the Cavs were willing to include 1 of their many future 1st round Draft picks that they own that might start a discussion but he highly doubted even that would do it. Cavs 1st round picks: 2014 2015 (could possibly swap with Chicaco....top 14 protected) 2015 from Memphis 2015 from Miami
