Battle for Batum just went to Defcon 4

[Guapo]

First...

The Trail Blazers delivered a direct and emphatic message to free agent Nicolas Batum during a downtown meeting Thursday afternoon: Batum will remain with the Blazers. A trio of Blazers executives, led by general manager Neil Olshey, met with Batum and agent Bouna Ndiaye and told the 23-year-old forward that they intend to keep him in a Blazers uniform no matter what other teams offer him or propose to the team in trades. "We told Nic that it is in his best interests to sign with us," Olshey said.
Trail Blazers tell Nicolas Batum they intend to keep him | OregonLive.com

Now...


Jon Krawzynski: APNewsBreak: Timberwolves agree to terms with Batum on 4-year, $45M offer sheet with bonuses that can push it past $50M. Batum wants MN. Twitter

.....

Darren Wolfson: Batum was here for 2 days. Came in w/ his wife/agent. Agent spent a lot of time with Kahn. Batum/wife had dinner with Taylor/wife. #twolves Twitter

.....

Jon Krawczynski: Ndiaye: Batum "had a great feel with coach Rick Adelman and Nicolas thinks this is a system that will fit him." #Twolves Twitter

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Jon Krawczynski: Batum's agent tells AP that Batum respects PTO team, fans, "but his choice, his heart went to Mpls." Hopes Blazers don't match. Twitter

And The Latest...

John Canzano
@JohnCanzanoBFT

Vulcan source: Paul Allen "livid" with Minnesota's pursuit of Nic Batum. Feels they're in this only to drive Portland's price higher.
11:08pm Thu Jul 05 via HootSuite

[alh1020]

Originally Posted by Guapo

Vulcan source: Paul Allen "livid" with Minnesota's pursuit of Nic Batum. Feels they're in this only to drive Portland's price higher.
11:08pm Thu Jul 05 via HootSuite

I wonder if Allen got Cuban's email?

[Guapo]

Originally Posted by alh1020

I wonder if Allen got Cuban's email?

LMAO!

Plus there is nothing like having a player on your roster who wants nothing to do with your team, huh?

[grizzly_bexar]

Don't say you're going to matchwhatever other teams offer and then whine like a baby when they call your bluff.

If you want to retain Batum for cheap, then act indifferent about resigning him.

[Jose_TheGenius]

Originally Posted by grizzly_bexar

Don't say you're going to matchwhatever other teams offer and then whine like a baby when they call your bluff.

If you want to retain Batum for cheap, then act indifferent about resigning him.

totally. you know some team at the bottom of the barrel is gonna offer ridiculous money (especially in the same division!)

[WILLTHETHRILL]

these guys are getting too much money but the owners whine that they don't make their profit margins?????lol

[grizzly_bexar]

I know. These guys just can't help themselves.

90% of the Spurs FO success isn't the home runs they hit with TP/Manu/TP/etc. It's not screwing up by making stupid long-term moves.

[SilverSpur]

A new system. And already its being gamed. LOL!

[SilverSpur]

Agent is Hoping The Russians Will Cave To Kennedy!

"His mind is not there in Portland. Out of that meeting with the Blazers (on Thursday), we hoped they would allow him to live his dream. The best case scenario is a sign-and-trade and we understand that. Hopefully, Paul Allen would never stand in the way of his dream to play for the Timberwolves,” is what Nicolas Batum's agent, Bouna Ndiaye, told CSNNW.com Saturday evening.

Ndiaye reiterates that Batum's decision to play in Minnesota is not a knock on the city of Portland. He says Batum loves the city and the fans, but it's time to move on. “Nic appreciates the fans and he loves it there. That's where he got his start. It's nothing personal, he just wants to be in Minnesota,” Ndiaye said.

Agent: Batum's heart isn't in Portland