The Portland media is claiming that the Cavs are going hard after Batum, even mentioning them specifically as the one team that is going hard at him.
Living here in this corner of the country, I think Batum is by far one of the most (if not THE most, yeah I said it) underrated players in the league. He is pretty much everything that ANY team that does not have LeBron James or Kevin Durant would be looking for: 6'9", 200, EXTREMELY athletic, and set the Blazers franchise record this year with 10 threes in a game. Also a lock down defender, period. That is an amazing all-around game for a dude who is only 23.
He's underrated because considering his age and skill set, I seriously think he is deserving of something very very close to the max contract. And yet he may not get it. He turns 24 in December and still has while until he hits his prime, yet he's already developed a hell of a repertoire.
If we threw him the 4 year max, I would not in the least bit be upset. He would be an amazing young piece to add to this team and he'd fit in like a glove. I just think that the Blazers realize it too and may also go the max route with him after balking at $9.5 million a year during the season. If it comes down to a sign and trade, it will be interesting what we can work out.
Living here in this corner of the country, I think Batum is by far one of the most (if not THE most, yeah I said it) underrated players in the league. He is pretty much everything that ANY team that does not have LeBron James or Kevin Durant would be looking for: 6'9", 200, EXTREMELY athletic, and set the Blazers franchise record this year with 10 threes in a game. Also a lock down defender, period. That is an amazing all-around game for a dude who is only 23.
He's underrated because considering his age and skill set, I seriously think he is deserving of something very very close to the max contract. And yet he may not get it. He turns 24 in December and still has while until he hits his prime, yet he's already developed a hell of a repertoire.
If we threw him the 4 year max, I would not in the least bit be upset. He would be an amazing young piece to add to this team and he'd fit in like a glove. I just think that the Blazers realize it too and may also go the max route with him after balking at $9.5 million a year during the season. If it comes down to a sign and trade, it will be interesting what we can work out.
