Batum traded to Hornets for Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson

 Is gone and Vonleh might be his replacement.

 Is gone and Vonleh might be his replacement.

 My first thought was, has LMA indicated he will not resign for Portland and they have decided to cash in on Batum. I noticed Batum only averaged 9.4ppg last season so his trade value might be lower than it was.

The Hornets still get a proven player though and have made a few pre-draft moves having shipped Stephenson to the Clippers for Barnes and Hawes.They are rumoured to be shopping Cody Zeller too so post draft day their line up may have more changes. Perhaps they feel Batum might be the ideal 3rd option behind Walker and Al Jefferson and if the combo works it encourages Jefferson to resign next summer or extend before hand.

Portland lose a key player but get a solid starter in Henderson who can fill Batum’s scoring void indirectly and Vonleh gives them a nice prospect they can develop. Also with Henderson only having one season left on his deal they save cap space as Batum had two years left. If LMA does move on then Portland will look to rebuild around Lillard I guess. With Henderson having an expiring deal at a reasonable $6 million he may have trade value later on next season too.

 My first thought was, has LMA indicated he will not resign for Portland and they have decided to cash in on Batum. I noticed Batum only averaged 9.4ppg last season so his trade value might be lower than it was.

The Hornets still get a proven player though and have made a few pre-draft moves having shipped Stephenson to the Clippers for Barnes and Hawes.They are rumoured to be shopping Cody Zeller too so post draft day their line up may have more changes. Perhaps they feel Batum might be the ideal 3rd option behind Walker and Al Jefferson and if the combo works it encourages Jefferson to resign next summer or extend before hand.

Portland lose a key player but get a solid starter in Henderson who can fill Batum’s scoring void indirectly and Vonleh gives them a nice prospect they can develop. Also with Henderson only having one season left on his deal they save cap space as Batum had two years left. If LMA does move on then Portland will look to rebuild around Lillard I guess. With Henderson having an expiring deal at a reasonable $6 million he may have trade value later on next season too.

 I’m kinda jealous. Why couldn’t my Raptors grab Batum.

Kaminsky is a lock at 9.

 I’m kinda jealous. Why couldn’t my Raptors grab Batum.

Kaminsky is a lock at 9.

The Hornets are in win now mode and Batum will help them do that.

Batum is a solid 3&D guy, so it makes sense and Vonleh is a nice piece for the Blazers future.

The Hornets are in win now mode and Batum will help them do that.

Batum is a solid 3&D guy, so it makes sense and Vonleh is a nice piece for the Blazers future.

 So we give up a solid player and a good asset in a rookie deal , for a injury prom player in the last league of his contract coming of his worse season and shooting . Jordan sucks at picking draft we should just trade all of ours away they either don’t pan out or get traded for pennies 

 So we give up a solid player and a good asset in a rookie deal , for a injury prom player in the last league of his contract coming of his worse season and shooting . Jordan sucks at picking draft we should just trade all of ours away they either don’t pan out or get traded for pennies 

I’m reading the Hornets have acquired Jeremy Lamb from OKC too. For the non-guaranteed contract of Matt Barnes. 

I’m reading the Hornets have acquired Jeremy Lamb from OKC too. For the non-guaranteed contract of Matt Barnes. 

 Hearing we get Jermey lamb as we all thought which is good for Matt Barnes 

 Hearing we get Jermey lamb as we all thought which is good for Matt Barnes 

 win now mode for a team whose best player is between Kemba and Al jeff… Yikes

 win now mode for a team whose best player is between Kemba and Al jeff… Yikes

 Just looked over the trade and Portland made a very smart move here.

Let’s look at their free agents.

Aldridge 15-mil/ expecting MAX

Afflalo 8-Mil/ expecting 10-12

Matthews 7-Mil/ expecting 8-10

Lopez-5-Mil/expecting 8-10

Kaman 5-Mil/team option 5

Letting go of Batum frees up 12-mil while getting Henderson and Vonleh replaces roles from expiring contracts letting them put money elsewhere.

So now they acquire about 12,mil in salary in Henderson and Vonleh replacing Afflalo and Lopez. McCollum steps in for Matthews. Leonard takesover Kamans lingering role. So even if they do get Aldridge to stay they have money for a 2nd max contract. If not they have budding young prospects in prime position to develop and a good base to rebuild with about $20-Mil of committed money to 7 or 8 players.

 Just looked over the trade and Portland made a very smart move here.

Let’s look at their free agents.

Aldridge 15-mil/ expecting MAX

Afflalo 8-Mil/ expecting 10-12

Matthews 7-Mil/ expecting 8-10

Lopez-5-Mil/expecting 8-10

Kaman 5-Mil/team option 5

Letting go of Batum frees up 12-mil while getting Henderson and Vonleh replaces roles from expiring contracts letting them put money elsewhere.

So now they acquire about 12,mil in salary in Henderson and Vonleh replacing Afflalo and Lopez. McCollum steps in for Matthews. Leonard takesover Kamans lingering role. So even if they do get Aldridge to stay they have money for a 2nd max contract. If not they have budding young prospects in prime position to develop and a good base to rebuild with about $20-Mil of committed money to 7 or 8 players.

 This definitely could change things in the lottery. Seems to open the door for Charlotte to draft a pf, especially if they are shopping Zeller. 

Not sure how I feel about this deal from either side. This definitely seems to signify that Portland is not too confident that Aldridge will be back, since they are going after vonleh. Henderson is a very similar player to afflalo, who they traded for last year and they also have McCollum at sg as well. It’s possible Henderson was just a throw in the deal, and Portland is not really planning on keeping him long-term.

Batums been a good player who can do a little bit of everything but he’s coming off his worst season in years. If he can regain his shooting touch of a few years back, he will be extremely valuable for them. If not, he won’t do much to help their spacing issues. It will be interesting to see how this affects kidd-gilchrist, as they both play the same position and one of them will more than likely have to come off the bench.

 This definitely could change things in the lottery. Seems to open the door for Charlotte to draft a pf, especially if they are shopping Zeller. 

Not sure how I feel about this deal from either side. This definitely seems to signify that Portland is not too confident that Aldridge will be back, since they are going after vonleh. Henderson is a very similar player to afflalo, who they traded for last year and they also have McCollum at sg as well. It’s possible Henderson was just a throw in the deal, and Portland is not really planning on keeping him long-term.

Batums been a good player who can do a little bit of everything but he’s coming off his worst season in years. If he can regain his shooting touch of a few years back, he will be extremely valuable for them. If not, he won’t do much to help their spacing issues. It will be interesting to see how this affects kidd-gilchrist, as they both play the same position and one of them will more than likely have to come off the bench.

 Vonleh is a great compliment to Leonard. Mobile and a great rebounder a lot like Thomas Robinson but more upside. Could end up being like Tristan Thompson with better shooting touch and footwork.

 Vonleh is a great compliment to Leonard. Mobile and a great rebounder a lot like Thomas Robinson but more upside. Could end up being like Tristan Thompson with better shooting touch and footwork.

 I like what Charlotte is doing getting Batum. Thought Vonleh had a chacne to be a really good player for them, but Batum and Lamb should help give them some shooting. Wonder how that changes what they do at 9. They could take a big guy ala Turner/Lyles and pair with Big Al. 

Portland is probably restarting now. Hard time seeing Aldridge coming back with Afflalo and Matthews both going to FA. 

 I like what Charlotte is doing getting Batum. Thought Vonleh had a chacne to be a really good player for them, but Batum and Lamb should help give them some shooting. Wonder how that changes what they do at 9. They could take a big guy ala Turner/Lyles and pair with Big Al. 

Portland is probably restarting now. Hard time seeing Aldridge coming back with Afflalo and Matthews both going to FA. 

 a very good trade for Charlotte. They could opt for a big man in this coming draft. I got Kaminsky in my mock right now but they have a big opportunity to also draft Turner and Lyles which could fill a hole left by Vonleh. I thought he was gonna be a part of a core in Charlotte for a long time but when you have a chance to get a guy like Batum, I’d pull the trigger right away. Good job by the Hornets.

 a very good trade for Charlotte. They could opt for a big man in this coming draft. I got Kaminsky in my mock right now but they have a big opportunity to also draft Turner and Lyles which could fill a hole left by Vonleh. I thought he was gonna be a part of a core in Charlotte for a long time but when you have a chance to get a guy like Batum, I’d pull the trigger right away. Good job by the Hornets.

Charlotte wins all their trades, and Batum is a big addition as he passes while Kemba shoots.

Charlotte wins all their trades, and Batum is a big addition as he passes while Kemba shoots.

Sources: Blazers didn’t make deal as first step of rebuilding. Aldridge was aware of trade, and Blazers did deal independent of free agency.

Sources: Blazers didn’t make deal as first step of rebuilding. Aldridge was aware of trade, and Blazers did deal independent of free agency.

I’m not really sold on Vonleh (I wasn’t before the draft either). It seems the Hornets are really trying to win now. This trade was a no brainer. Not sure how much Jordan is involved, but the last 3-4 drafts have been terrible for them. Surrounding Big Al with shooters was the correct move (eventhough Batum hasn’t been great lately, but still an upgrade over MKG).

I’m not really sold on Vonleh (I wasn’t before the draft either). It seems the Hornets are really trying to win now. This trade was a no brainer. Not sure how much Jordan is involved, but the last 3-4 drafts have been terrible for them. Surrounding Big Al with shooters was the correct move (eventhough Batum hasn’t been great lately, but still an upgrade over MKG).

 Last year hornets tried to get Gordon Hayward as they thought of him a perfect compliment for mkg on the wing but their offer got matched… Could Batum be the answer for not getting Gordon?

 Last year hornets tried to get Gordon Hayward as they thought of him a perfect compliment for mkg on the wing but their offer got matched… Could Batum be the answer for not getting Gordon?

I like the trade for Portland.  Not sure Vonleh ever turns into the player Charlotte hoped he would, but it’s worth the gamble.

For Charlotte, I’m hoping this isn’t a complete picture, because trading one of their best assets for a one year rental of a guy that took a big step backwards last year isn’t a great move IMO.  At the moment, they seem set up to be that team that chases the 8 seed every year.

I like the trade for Portland.  Not sure Vonleh ever turns into the player Charlotte hoped he would, but it’s worth the gamble.

For Charlotte, I’m hoping this isn’t a complete picture, because trading one of their best assets for a one year rental of a guy that took a big step backwards last year isn’t a great move IMO.  At the moment, they seem set up to be that team that chases the 8 seed every year.

 The Hornets have RFA rights on Biyombo so it will be interesting to see what they do with him if they do shop Zeller and potentially draft Kaminsky. Having got Hawes it gives them a big man with 3 point range and he’d compliment Jefferson’s post game quite well.

I’d assume MKG may move to SG and Batum now plays SF for the Hornets next season.

 The Hornets have RFA rights on Biyombo so it will be interesting to see what they do with him if they do shop Zeller and potentially draft Kaminsky. Having got Hawes it gives them a big man with 3 point range and he’d compliment Jefferson’s post game quite well.

I’d assume MKG may move to SG and Batum now plays SF for the Hornets next season.