Batum to Hornets, Hendo + Vonleh to Portland

[SgtJoo]

[CarolinaNCSU]

Posted at same time, so mod feel free to lock mine since the embedded tweet looks better (side note, how did you do that, I've forgotten).

 

Initially, I don't mind it. Batum is a solid to good player and relatively young (26).  Sucks to give up on Vonleh so soon, though. 

[CPF4LIFE]

WOW

[YoungPanthers89]

Vonleh??? REALLY??? VONLEHEHHEH@HEHFAHFJEKFEK

[CPF4LIFE]

WTF would we give up Vonleh over Zeller or MKG

[Guest]

Portland adding cover if Aldridge walks away?

I know that Vonleh isn't ready to take over that starting burden, but he's talented and got a relatively high ceiling to be a good starter if given a chance to develop.

As for us, Batum is a solid small forward. Not sure what this means for MKG going forwards, one of them is going to have to drop to the bench. But it gives us good depth at that position. 

[MichaelNewtonII]

I'm so happy.. Nicolas Batum is a very very nice piece

[MichaelNewtonII]

We finally pulled off a deal worth a damn!

[MichaelNewtonII]

Portland adding cover if Aldridge walks away?

I know that Vonleh isn't ready to take over that starting burden, but he's talented and got a relatively high ceiling to be a good starter if given a chance to develop.

As for us, Batum is a solid small forward. Not sure what this means for MKG going forwards, one of them is going to have to drop to the bench. But it gives us good depth at that position. 

Maybe it means we are going with the small ball trend... wouldn't mind seeing Batum and MKG in the same lineup as our forwards

[CarolinaNCSU]

From a Portland perspective, I'd say this is a clear sign they have little faith in re-signing Aldridge. 

 

From a Hornets perspective, either going small with MKG/Batum at the 3/4 or more moves will come.  They're both too talented to sit on a team in tragic need of skill.  I know giving up Vonleh is shocking/sucks in some ways...but Batum has and can be a really, really good player. 

[ItsPantone278]

We got ripped off.  Batum is steady in decline and we are over loaded at sf now.  I hate this deal.

[YoungPanthers89]

Drafted a 19 year old kid 9th overall, played him 10 minutes a game, traded him a exactly a year later for Nicolas Batum.

 

Sigh

[Proudiddy]

Batum is a good piece, but I am pretty bummed we gave up Vonleh.  I feel he had Bosh potential with a competent coach (not Steve clifford). 

I Have mixed emotions about this one,but trades are exciting. 

[TheRed]

I don't know too much about Batum, but by the time the season begins he will be 27.

Someone convince me this was worth giving up on a 19 year old kid after one season who we just drafted 9th overall.

If this blows up in our face, we are going to have to fire everyone on down to the water boys.