So basically they read us? Are there any rumors out there from actual NBA personnel? I mean it is logical that Batum's name would come up on message boards as he is our most obvious bargaining chip, but has there actually been any rumors from other sources?
Exactly. "Journalism": Where "Here's an idea" or "I have a feeling" or "I just made some shit up" equals a "rumor".
If I am Detroit I would not do it. The chances of him resigning there are less that 50% IMO. It may be worth the risk for them if we threw in 23, but we would have to feel really good about that player we could get at 8 to give up that much.
And trading Nic for a draft pick means that LMA is going elsewhere, for better or worse depending on your POV. I'd be much more interested in trading Nic for DET's pick if we could also get Monroe. I suspect we'd have to include either CJ or Leonard, plus some combo of Rolo/Kaman/Crabbe/Afflalo. I'd probably do the deal with CJ, but not with Leonard.
Ford tweeted the Pistons might consider trading their pick. Steve Hinson took that and postulated that Nicolas Batum might be a good swap. Again, nothing resembling a rumor or inside information. Or did I miss a tweet?
Hezonja, Johnson, WTCS likely. Turner and Dekker would be reaches, could just trade down from 8 and get one of them+asset.
Ahhh the infamous trade a player for a pick/trade a pick for a player debate. I find that people dramatically overvalue picks after about #4 or so in terms of what caliber of player you can get for them. In that 8-9 range typically teams are hoping to draft a starting caliber player. If it turns into an all star it's like hitting the Lotto. So a solid career starter like Batum is easily worth an 8 or 9 pick. Especially when you look at teams like CHarlotte and Detroit, who are already stoicked with young guys and competed for a playoff spot this past season, they are wanting a glue guy to tie it all together.
I remember TRob going at #5 ahead of Lillard. That's what's scary about the draft. Crapshoot city! I gave up on draft prospects after Oden. That one crushed me. Portland does not need projects unless you want to wait another 4 years to try to compete. Make no mistake, the flavor of the month draft picks are going to be projects. Philly is full of them right now and we can see how that's turned out.
No doubt the whole draft is a crap shoot. And I normally fall on the side of not trading a player for a pick. But of all the players we have, Nic is the player I least expect to resign. Obviously that feeling is influenced by what happened the last time he was a free agent. None the less I don't expect to keep him and I think this draft is deep. The Spurs loved George Hill, yet reluctantly traded him for the 15th pick in order to taking a chance on Kawhi Leonard. It's always risky but if Neil feels confident on a particular player, then I am all for it. Only though because I am not confident in keeping Nic without over paying him.