I think he's worth his contract. He is an above average starter. No he isn't a great value as some players are when way underpaid. But there are lots of teams that would be glad to have Batum for the next 2 years. Iggy, Chandler Parsons, Trevor Ariza, will all make similar money for similar productivity. If we found a team to assume Nic contract we wouldn't be able to use the cap space to improve the team from where it is right now.
Your plan of drafting Dario Saric isn't possible as the Blazers don't have a lottery pick. Batum seems like the ideal Spurs player, he has multi dimensional skill set. So if you want to follow their blueprint shouldn't the Blazers look at adding some more of these players while keeping Batum?
Nic Batum & Luol Dang will always get pretty close to the same contract. Both are relatively in the same ballpark.
People don't get it. There's no statistical value for what Batum does in a lot of areas. How do you quantify his ability to defend quick point guards? How do you quantify his ability to switch to point/forward for stretches of the game? Most people just look at his ppg and determine he isn't worth the money.
It's not a particular stat. I don't think he is ridiculously overpaid though. Just not worth the money.
Which non-rookie-contract small forwards do you consider Batum most comparable to and what are they making?
Paul George? I like Batum, but I think George is a lot better. I think Batum is somewhat better than Ariza, though. It'll be interesting to see what Ariza gets this off-season. I think Batum is on a par with someone like Kawhi Leonard. I think Leonard will get a similar payday to Batum (well, similar after adjusting for the inevitable inflation) once he finishes his rookie contract.
Batum should be making Ariza money, around 7.5 mil, for his contributions. Unfortunately his ridiculous contract is going to get some mid-tier SFs like Parsons and Hayward really big contracts this summer.
Based on potential, age, aggressiveness.....I'm guessing most GM's in the league would take Kawai Leonard over Nic. Batum may be a bit better in a couple of areas but given Kawai's clutch Finals performance, his age and contract status, there is no way SA would trade them straight up but I'm guessing Olshey would.
Batum was overpaid but considering what people like Gay, Deng and Gallinari were making it was a reasonable figure.
That's the thing - overpaid compared to what? It's a good deal compared to those you just mentioned. The market set the value.
All those guys will get much smaller deals the next time around. Bad contracts shouldn't set the market, they should be cautionary tales.
Ginobili made 7 million this year. Good GMs make smart decisions and don't negotiate from a point of weakness of panic. Unfortunately I think Olshay inherited the Batum situation, or it likely would have been much more favorable for the team.
No, not really. It might not show up in the statistics or point total, but he busts his butt and he WANTS to be here. Find another Blazer who would genuinely admit THAT.
Manu is old and took less money out of loyalty and respect to the team. He certainly could have gotten more somewhere else if he wanted. Batum sought max money not the best situation.
