Freeman: Blazers Met With Batum's Agent, Will Meet Again

Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reports that the Portland Trail Blazers met with Bouna Ndiaye, agent for Nicolas Batum, as expected in San Antonio on Friday to discuss a contract extension. The two sides have a little less than two weeks to reach agreement on an extension and will reportedly continue discussions at an unknown date.
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Bouna Ndiaye, the agent for Nicolas Batum, did not sound optimistic about an extension. "Right now, I’m not sure we’ll get something done."
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Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports...
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A source close to the negotiations tells CSNNW.com that the Blazers' made a "low ball offer" this morning and that sides are "very far apart."
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Batum said this week that playing time is very important to him and that the opportunity to play big minutes might be a bigger factor than money when it comes to weighing his future options.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter

4 months ago Ben Golliver 12 comments 0 recs |

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I just hope they don't overpay

I know we can be real loyal around here, but the problem is he just isn’t as good as the Blazer fans think. This isn’t France hoops. We already seen that from Rudy. I would love to have him back as a role player, but that’s all he is going to be IF we can keep the team intact (sign Wallace, Felton etc.). I think he wants a bigger role, he will probably end up in San Antonio if he isnt comfortable getting bench minutes and not starter minutes.

by Cjones10 on Jan 13, 2012 4:10 PM PST reply actions

He's good IMO

I think people overlook his D and there’s a bunch of stuff that he does that doesn’t show up in the box score I think he needs a bigger role plus he’s learning the game from one of the best sf in the league gotta keep this guy around

by Rosecity503 on Jan 13, 2012 4:20 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

if PT this year is an issue PDX is in trouble

but next year both Crawford and Wallace could be gone and it’s very likely at least one of then will be.
I would offer max years at up 8 million a year for Batum.

the truth hurts. fox news is painless

by Biph on Jan 13, 2012 4:17 PM PST reply actions

Blazers need to pay him

Especially if they don’t intend signing Wallace for what he wants.

by tyeforshee on Jan 13, 2012 5:16 PM PST reply actions

The optimal move is to let Batum enter restricted free agency.

Let the kid play for his contract. You always hear about guys playing better in a contract year. I say let Batum earn every dollar on the court this year.

by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Jan 13, 2012 5:31 PM PST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

I expect the Blazers to string out both Batum and Crash...

We have two good options at the 3.

I believe Crash has a player option, but most don’t expect him to sign.
But, if he does sign, the Blazers would be prudent to not give Nico too much.

If GW doesn’t sign, but then signs a new long-term contradt with us, it would be prudent to not give Nico too much.

We also get to see both players in uniform every day all year long, more info, better for the Blazers.

If it looks like we aren’t signing GW, then we can still match any offer for Nico.

If this is a Texas Hold ’Em hand, you slow play all the way…

by Visionary1 on Jan 13, 2012 5:42 PM PST reply actions

Trade Wallace and give batum the minutes.

Wallace will opt out, so you might as well get something for him. Trade him for a point guard (along with Felton) or a good center. Portland needs a big trade that involves Wallace. Roy and rudy are gone its batum’s time to shine. Plus Wallace says he wants to keep his options open during summer, which means Portland could just sign him this summer. Portland will have around 20+ million dollars to spend this summer (Camby, Felton, wallace, Oden) all have expiring contracts. I expect Portland to resign Oden and Camby will retire. I want to get a extension done with batum and see how much Portland can spend and if it can bring a star to Portland. Cp3, D-will, Dwight Howard. I know I’m dreaming big, but you never know it can happen. D-will is definately a possibility I think.

by TheShougPanther5 on Jan 13, 2012 10:02 PM PST via mobile reply actions

WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A GM!

by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 14, 2012 12:39 PM PST reply actions

Keeper

It’s not personal, it’s just business

When reached 40+ years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jan 14, 2012 12:57 PM PST reply actions

ask Andre Miller...he'll tell you the same thing!

by Natsthecat on Jan 14, 2012 2:03 PM PST up reply actions

the problem is

that the range for Nic’s pay isn’t really that large that the sides should be “far apart”.

His absolute floor is Full-Mid-Level, which the blazers can easily do better than and his max is somewhere between 7-9 mi. Aaron Affalo got more than seven, Richard Jefferson is over nine, Prince (who is old) got 6+…Batum is more than a replacement for either of those guys. So it is hard for the team to argue he shouldn’t get paid like that.

I could see the team being at 6 and Nic at 9…but that isn’t far apart…that’s basic negotiating.

My real question is why does this take so freakin long. This isn’t hard, what is it that Larry Miller has these guys doing all day that makes them unable to pick up a phone and have basic conversations. Why wait til now…I like Chad, and I hope he does well…seems really slow though…

by ripcitymilehigh on Jan 15, 2012 9:10 PM PST reply actions

I think we need to extend him for 3-4 years, 6-8 mil per year

I heard rumors that we were looking into trading Wallace for 4! first round picks when we were a part of the Dwight Howard/Nets negotiations. Looking at our age and depth issues at the 5 and the age range of our core of Aldridge/Batum (in this scenario)/Matthews/Felton, we have 3 years or so til they’re all hitting their prime. If we had those 4 picks and added the missing pieces through the draft, we could be READY to go within 2-3 years. If we ride Wallace and let Batum go, we’ll for sure be rebuilding within 2-3 years. Am I wrong?

by lumberjak on Jan 17, 2012 8:14 AM PST reply actions