Yeah... they should have kept Salmons, and giving up Tyrus Thomas for nothing might eventually come back to bite them in the ass. I have a feeling that Chicago and New Jersey are going to be left with their hat in their hand and a bag full of money with nobody to give it to.
Either way, trading Batum and Webster does mean Portland traded two of their best perimeter defenders. Since Deng has been injured every time I would have been able to watch him play I have no idea if he is any good at perimeter defense or not. I would guess he isn't as good as Nick.
True. But at the same time, Nick has never averaged near 18 points a game for a whole season. Not really even close.
Allow me to explain. Batum is probably better than Collison, and probably will be over his career. They're both young, they're both good defenders, and they're both efficient scorers. IMO, Batum is the better defender and is more versatile, whereas Collison is a better (or just more willing) scorer and plays a more important position. Deng and Miller are comparable offensively, but Deng is a better defender than Miller, and being younger will likely maintain his current level of play longer than Miller can/will. So, long term, I think Deng/Collison would net greater return than Batum/Miller. Goes without saying. Younger, cheaper, higher ceiling. I'd love to see it, but I highly doubt we will.
I'd prefer Deng/Collison as well. Younger, more combined shooting range between the two players. And a quality young PG isn't as easy to get as a quality young SF.
Does anyone not think a Roy/Batum backcourt with Batum guarding PG's and playing off Roy and Deng at SF might be a better lineup than these others? perhaps we start Miller and develop that lineup as the season progresses. A lineup of Roy/Batum/Miller at guards (rotate via matchups) and then Deng at SF, LMA at PF and Oden could be formidable, on D as well.
