That makes a lot of sense. So in other words; we want to win now; we trade for a vet or vets for batum. If we want to win for the future; we trade Aldridge?
Assuming we're looking at trading either one, that's the way I see it. Batum fits a later window, Aldridge an earlier one. Lillard is the window, so he works either way. Love that kid!! (I know we all do, I just wanted to say it again. )
If I were 2-5 I would be. It will take injuries to Davis for N.O to kick themselves. He looks pretty good.
I don't see any improvement out of Batum this year. He's pretty much the same player he's always been. He'll wow you every once in awhile, but disappear twice as often. His defense is solid, not good, and his offense is mostly limited to 3 pointers. He's a very solid starting wing, but over-paid. He's not a "difference maker" aside from the nights he's on fire from 3pt range. He's the Wesley Matthews of SFs.
Was Batum's wrist hurt in December when he shot 32% from 3 and 38.7% over from the field? I guess people still don't realize that Batum is just a streaky player who every year gets hot for 2-3 weeks and everyone thinks that's his real level of play, when in reality it's just a hot streak. You'll always be a streaky player when you shoot nothing but 3's and long 2's because of almost no ability to create your own offense. And the wrist injury is a lame excuse.
I personally find both Aldridge AND Batum to be ideal fits for Lillard. Batum's ability to create for others, before injury, was a big relief for Lillard, allowing him to play more off the balll, and eliminate some of his responsibilities. Batum is also a very good 3 point shooter, helping to spread the floor on kick outs. Aldridge works well out of the post, where the offense can begin, with a kickout after, surrounded by good shooters. However, because he's not a liability away from the basket, like other big men, who can not shoot beyond 5 feet, he also gives spacing to Lillard, where you can have him out of the lane, improving drving opportunities for Dame, and not allowing his man to totally sag off, because he is a threat from out there. Lillard this season pushed our window up, in my opinion. He's not someone who is 2-4 years still away, like many people want or think our window is. With a mroe reliable bench THIS season, I think we'd be in the 6-7 seed discussion. A year of improvement from him, Leonard, Claver, full season of Maynor, and hopefully good additions on the bench, I don't think it's at all out of the realm of possibility to challenge for a 4th seed next season.
Just keep in mind we can play the game of strengths, and especially weaknesses, all day long with every single player in the league. The more we know of a player (Usually our own) the more ammo we have to find the weakness. SC highlights don't show those weaknesses of the players we all want to trade our players for, so as with most things in life the grass is always greener...... So in the end I doubt we will all be happy with who Nic is traded for. Klay Thompson was mentioned as an option Let me get the ball rolling: great shooter, great size for a SG, not a great passer, not really that athletic and because of that.......not a good defender.
So the options last night were going deep into one of the weakest benches in recent NBA memory or Nic giving what he had despite not being 100%. Give Nic some credit. If you are going to be this frustrated with inconsistent results, stop now with your McGee to Portland campaign Mags
Actually I want consistency from the wing. Without it; teams can pack in and sag off batum. McGee, I would ask only to defend the paint; which I think he would be fine doing.
