Nicolas Batum takes a U-turn; Says he wanted to be back with the Portland Trail Blazers – NBA Update
"I wanted to be in Minnesota, it's true, but I wanted to be back (in Portland). It was a tough choice, believe me."
Said Nicolas Batum who may not be as big a player, but was certainly at the centre of one of the most intriguing free agency episodes this off season.
The French small forward, who was a restricted free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers, was offered a four-year offer worth $45 million from the Minnesota Timberwolves early in the off season and in the days that followed, the
player publically lobbied for the Twin City franchise. David Kahn, the Wolves president of basketball operations, branded Batum as the top free agency priority of his franchise, which is trying hard to make a cut into the elite teams of NBA this season.
The Trail Blazers were however adamant to retain their player.
Desperate to land Batum, Kahn tried to engage Portland in a sign and trade deal, but they did not budge one bit. Neil Olshey, the new Trail Blazers General Manager, finally matched the Wolves offer sheet on Wednesday and retained
the fourth year forward, who averaged 13.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 59 games last season, starting 34 of them.
Now that he has been retained, Batum is making an effort to win back the Portland fans. The 6 ft 8 in forward says, he was actually worried that the Trail Blazers would not match his offer, one which even he considers a bit lofty
considering the talent;
"I told my girlfriend, imagine if they don't match," Batum said. "I don't want to have to play against these guys."
Batum also gave an insight as to why he was a bit disgruntled last season, when the Trail Blazers, after making a strong start to the season went through an incredible slump, and finished off with a 28-38 record.
Nate McMillan the previous coach used to employ Batum mainly as a perimeter shooter, something the forward didn’t like. McMillan was fired midway through the season, and the Trail Blazers then parted ways with Gerald Wallace, giving
a clear indication of a long rebuilding process. The whole scenario frustrated Batum;
"Last year, I was mad about basketball," He said. "All of this process was basketball only, not about the city or anything."
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