Nicolas Batum trade rumors could frustrate Portland Trail Blazers fans. A Batum trade by the Blazers to the Charlotte Hornets is reportedly close. As revealed by The Oregonian late Wednesday (June 24), the Blazers would receive veteran wing Gerald Henderson and second-year forward Noah Vonleh in exchange for Batum.
On the surface, this trade seems like a way for the Blazers to get further under the salary carp. Gerald Henderson is set to make $6 million during the 2015-16 NBA season in what would be the final season of his current contract. Noah Vonleh is due just over $2.6 million and then has team options in each of the following (2) NBA seasons).
Nicolas Batum is set to make just under $12 million next season, which is also the final year of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. He is one of very few players still under contract with the team, as Wesley Matthews, LaMarcus Aldridge, Arron Afflalo, Robin Lopez, Dorell Wright, and Joel Freeland are all becoming free agents. The team will be all-in on contract offers to Aldridge, but recent rumors have suggested that he might decide to go play for the San Antonio Spurs or Dallas Mavericks in free agency, as previously reported on the Inquisitr .
Last season with the Charlotte Hornet, Henderson played in 80 games, averaging 28.9 minutes, 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists from the shooting guard position. Power forward Noah Vonleh played in only 25 games, averaging 10.4 minutes, 3.3 points, and 3.4 rebounds per game. Vonleh was the No. 9 selection in the 2014 NBA Draft at just 19-years-old. He brings a lot of size to the Blazers (6-10, 240 pounds) if the rumors turn out to be true.
If this deal does take place and the Hornets acquire a good offensive player like Batum, it might be considered a big “steal” around the NBA. Batum has played all seven seasons of his NBA career with the Blazers, averaging 11.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists a night. He is a good three-point shooter that can help space the floor and is also an excellent free throw shooter.
On one side of the equation, Hornets fans are going to be really excited about getting a player that can move so easily on the offensive end of the court. On the other side, many Portland Trail Blazers fans could be frustrated that it looks like the franchise is heading into a rebuilding mode. These Nicolas Batum trade rumors haven’t yet been confirmed by either franchise, but the sources out there stating it is coming seem pretty confident.
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