Jul
02
Wolfson: No Verbal Agreement Between Batum And Timberwolves, Sign And Trade An Option
By caseyholdahl Posted in: NicolasBatum
Darren Wolfson of ESPN Radio affiliate
1500 ESPN Twin Cities reports that Nicolas Batum
left a meeting with the Timberwolves without a verbal agreement for a new contract. But he also reports that a "team source" has told him a sign and trade between the Trail Blazers and Timberwolves is a very real possibility:
According to a source with intimate knowledge of those discussions, Batum is the Wolves' Plan A in free agency -- and he told the Wolves he has legitimate interest in coming.
Financially, the Wolves know where Batum stands, so a verbal agreement in advance of July 11 -- the first day free agent contracts can be signed -- could come very soon. But as of Monday night, with Batum no longer in the Twin Cities, a verbal agreement had not been reached.
A team source said Batum's agent is very much in control of the situation, more so than for most free agents.
Comcast Portland is reporting Batum will meet with the Blazers on Thursday or Friday. The Wolves think there's a decent chance he'll express his desire to play in Minnesota.
The team source said there's a far better chance that Batum would come via a sign-and-trade, because outright landing a restricted free agent is too tough. He is not planning on taking any other visits.
The option to sign and trade has always been available, though this is the first time (as far as I know) that it's been mentioned in the press as an option regarding Batum's free agency.
It was reported by Chris Haynes of Comcast SportsNet Northwest that Batum would likely
meet with the Hornets and Raptors before making a decision. This report would seem to indicate otherwise.