NBA Rumors: Nicolas Batum Is Only Winner in Trail Blazers-Timberwolves Feud
The Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves seem intent on making life miserable for each other. This is going to derail both clubs, but it is also set to make restricted free agent Nicolas Batum a very wealthy man.
On Sunday, the Wolves officially signed Batum to a massive four-year, $45.5 million offer sheet. Since he is a restricted free agent, the Blazers have three days from the time the offer sheet was submitted to match the offer and retain Batum's services.
ESPN's Ric Bucher had reported that the Timberwolves had been trying to put together a trade package to land Batum in a sign-and-trade. According to Bucher, they had offered as many as three first-round picks for Batum, only to have the Blazers reject each offer.
If the Blazers weren't going to accept a trade for Batum, it makes little sense for them to end up watching him walk away for nothing—but then again, not much makes sense in feuds.
Bucher reported hearing from sources that the Timberwolves are upset and seeking compensation after trading for then-Blazer Martell Webster only to find out shortly after that Webster was going to need back surgery, which is something Portland allegedly knew all along.
So it may have been no coincidence that the Wolves signed former Blazer and suddenly un-retired Brandon Roy. By returning to the NBA, the Blazers are now once again on the hook for a large portion of what was left on Roy's contract prior to the retirement.
According to information Bucher passed along from a source, Blazers owner Paul Allen is convinced this was done to "make life difficult for him."
Which all brings us to Batum. Given that the Blazers had rejected the trade-reported trade offers, you'd think they'd be anxious to match all offers. However, Bucher reported, again with information gained from sources, that the Blazers feel what the Wolves offered Batum is more than he is worth.
Will the Blazers pay a player more than they feel he is worth just to keep him from going to Minnesota, or will they let him walk for nothing after passing up on trade opportunities just to make the Wolves sign Batum to a bloated contract?
You can bet we aren't going to know the answer until the final minute. By waiting, the Blazers can effectively put the Wolves' offseason on hold until they find out if they will have Batum or not.
Either way, both sides come out as losers. This is a petty struggle that appears to be altering the offseason decision-making for the two clubs.
Nicolas Batum, however, one way or another is about to end up with a bigger contract than he otherwise would have received as a result of this silly situation. It's a mad world.
