Ryan Anderson, Al Horford, Demar DeRozan, Nic Batum. We'd probably sign any of those guys if they're willing to come. They all likely stay put and cash in a 5th year. Were talking about $158 million contracts if they stay. Players know they can always force their way off a team via trade if they become unhappy. Yeah many will point to LaMarcus and DeAndre taking a year less; but that was only $100 million deals. $58 million since the cap has gone up is a significant difference.
That is all true. Although for the most part that was not the argument used for not going after him last summer. Most argued that he just wasn't that good. As it turns out we might be better off re-signing Henderson. I am not saying he is as good as DeRosan, but he will come cheaper and he offers a lot of similar skills.......off the bench.
It's funny that we got rid of a guy we kinda need now. Got rid of batum basically for vonleh because I don't think Henderson is staying here after this year. With all the options out there I honestly would of rather kept batum. We strike out with free agents. Derozan ain't coming here. Anderson is possible. I honestly wouldn't mind making an offer to batum. I don't think it will happen but he knows the system, he loved the city and embraced the fans. I don't think he wanted to leave. He's playing great with Charlotte and yeah you can say contract year but still, he's a playmaker, can score, defense. Only downside we all know is he can be inconsistent. Either way I would rather have him over aminu. Aminu is a bench sf. Dude also needs to learn he's not shooting 50 percent from three. If only aminu would learn how to handle the ball and drive, he would be a big threat.
I don't see how you can say "basically for Vonleh". Henderson and Batum are in the exact same contract situation. Why would we think Batum would not try to bolt this summer as a FA when the last time he was a free agent it got so ugly. When we had Wes, we needed Batum to act a s facilitator. Charlotte with their guards also need Batum in that role. But now having a SG like CJ, a play making SF is not what we need. Would Batum still try to run the offense? Is he still afraid to attack the basket? I agree that Aminu is not the answer as a starter, but if you take away the need for Batum to feed the post, (Since we didn't have a post scorer this season) is Batum that much better than Crabbe? The trade made sense to me. Henderson is as good as Batum. Vonleh may or may not turn out to be good, but he is just as talented as most first round picks this year outside the top 8. So I think it was worth the gamble.
The trade was all about adding an asset with value beyond a year as well as having a player with upside. Neither Batum nor Hendo had that value because they were becoming free agents. Neither one had significant upside either. We knew we wouldn't contend this year. Vonleh hasn't developed as we might've hoped but thats the chance you take with 20 year olds. Plumlee and CJ have performed better than expected. Vonleh and Meyers worse. That was the purpose of this season.
We need a 3 and D SF which he is. He could also work as the secondary ball handler once CJ or Dame gets subbed out, which we need because Crabbe, Henderson, Aminu, and Harkless aren't ball handlers..
Exactly. That and Batum is familiar with Stotts, Dame and the playbook. In addition, it'll enable Stotts to move Aminu to the 4 spot.
As long as he doesn't force things. Nic tried too many tough passes to players who did not have the best of hands. Especially when he was in with the 2nd team. And yes I would be fine with him as a 3 and D guy if he just attacked the basket enough to keep the defense honest. I know he can do it, but the last year and a half with Portland...he just wouldn't. Afraid to re-injure something? Not sure what his issue was. But I would take Nic back if he wanted to come back, but for the money he is going to get.....he better step up his game. And that means working on his deficiencies in the off season. I would let him play in the olympics this year, but after that......he needs to take a break from his French team.
Yes. Batum is THAT MUCH BETTER than Crabbe. And Batum would be even better than he was, production and consistency wise, if we don't need him to feed the post. Batum can and will play whatever role he is assigned. My only apprehension with bringing back Batum, is that with Dame and CJ controlling the ball and taking all the shots, Batum may again find himself out of a scoring role and criticized for being "inconsistent".
That in a nutshell was my whole point. If you take away what he does best, and even at that it was not that great, then you are left with a 3 and D guy who is shooting 35% from deep this year. up from last year. Which is worse than Crabbe....
My guess is, If Batum signs with a different team, he will somehow join the Spurs, possible replacing Danny Green @ SG.
