Nicolas Batum still persistent on wanting to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves – NBA News
Nicolas Batum is excited about moving to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and has made his intentions clear once again.
The forward is currently in France where he is training with the French national team for the London Olympics. The French will be one of the top contenders alongside Spain to prevent the star studded U.S team from clinching yet
another gold medal.
Batum, who is a restricted free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers, gave a telephone interview from France on Tuesday, and re-iterated his desire to play for the Wolves next season.
“I’m a restricted free agent. I know the situation. Anywhere I sign, the Blazers are going to match. But my first choice was, and is, Minnesota. That’s where I want to play and that’s where I want to put my family. I’ve got nothing
against the fans (in Portland) and nothing against the city. But this is a basketball decision and basketball wise, I want to be there,” said Batum.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have put up a four year $45 million offer on the table for Batum. However, Batum is a restricted free agent and the Trail Blazers have the right to match any offer he gets within three days of July 11th,
when the moratorium is lifted and players can officially sign contracts.
The Trail Blazers have made it clear that they are going to match the Wolves offer and are in no mood to let their swingman leave.
Portland are making strong moves this offseason in order to strengthen their roster. They have been one of the most aggressive teams in this year’s free agency, and are looking to retain Batum in order to compile a roster which
will give them a chance to qualify for the Playoffs next season.
Batum met with Wolves owner Glen Taylor, team president David Kahn and head coach Rick Adelman and was impressed with the direction the team was pursuing.
In particular, he thinks that the Wolves play a fast paced style of basketball which is more suited to his game, having grown frustrated to the slower pace of basketball former Blazers coach Nate McMillan preferred.
Minnesota can clear up more cap space in order to sign Batum if Portland decide to match their offer. They can buy out Brad Miller and guard Martell Webster to gain an additional $10.8 million of cap space.
“I know that they’re working on a sign and trade, and I’m very hopeful that both of them understand my situation, do the best both for me and for them,” added Batum.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are also desperate to sign Batum and improve their roster after their franchise player Kevin Love indicated that he is growing impatient with the Wolves team management and the losing ways of the Wolves.
Like any other player, he wants to make it to the playoffs and compete for silverware and feels that the Wolves are moving too slow in that direction.
Minnesota added forward Brandon Roy to their line up last week, and will have Ricky Rubio coming back from injury next season to take charge of point guard responsibilities. However, they still feel that they need Batum to complete
the roster and challenge the power houses in the Western Conference.
Tags: