Any feedback on Portland's deal?
Whats the deak?
Portland trades David West and Tayshaun Prince
Minnesota trades Nic Batum and Brandon Bass
Hmm ... I don't really like that move for Portland.
I think David West is comfortably the best player in the deal. I think it is a close call who the second best player is between Batum and Tayshaun Prince. I actually have them side by side on my rankings. Tayshaun ahead of Batum.
I understand it sets Portland better in terms of the future with Valanciunas and Batum taking bigger roles but they had such a good team in the present tense. Shame to see that broken up.
I think it is a really good deal for Minnesota. Bolsters up their talent level.
I like Batum quite a bit better than Prince, especially since Portland's best players are fairly young. However, I agree that the gap between Batum and Prince is much closer than the gap between West and Bass.
I worry that Portland lacks sufficient offense in its starting lineup, now. I like Thabo and Prince individually, but not next to one another.
I am still not really sold on Batum as a star player.
Batum is still too undependable as a shot-creator. Creating for himself, making plays for himself off the dribble. I think Batum is still more of a 4th/5th option offensively than he is a genuine 3rd option player. Similar to Tayshaun.
I like Batum's superior long distance shooting over Prince (a big plus for Batum) but Prince has a greater versatility in the types of two point shots he can make including a strong post game.
I also consider Prince a better ball-handler and passer. I think Prince's main value over Batum in that area is his sound decision making and composure on the ball. Tayshaun is one of the few SFs who can actually run and initiate an offense from the SF position. Batum still a bit too rushed and erratic. Turnover prone.
I think they are both pretty similar as defenders and rebounders. Both players are well above defensively but neither are elite. Batum still has considerable room for improvement defensively though.
I'd say Tayshaun is still a little better at defending their primary position (SFs) but Batum has more range in his ability to cover PGs in addition to the SGs + SFs Tayshaun can defend.
Anyway, that is why I am not quite there on Batum yet. Still a few too many question marks on his offensive game and has yet to reach his peak defensively.
I really like Tayshaun Prince. I think he is one of the most versatile players in the league. So many tools offensively and still so good defensively.