Blazers Match Timberwolves’ Contract Offer For Nicolas Batum

Batum provides flexibility on the wing as an athletic small forward who can guard shooting guards, but his greatest asset is his three-point shooting touch. Batum’s a career 37.2 percent shooter from distance, and made 39.1 percent of his threes in the 2011-12 season.

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Batum, still just 23, averaged 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, one steal and one block per game in 2011-‘12.

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For more on the Blazers, visit Blazer’s Edge, and make sure to read their posts on Batum’s offer from the Wolves and Portland’s free agent strategy.

The Wolves have signed Batum to a four-year, $45 million offer sheet, but Portland can match any offers for Batum, a restricted free agent. The main reason Portland wouldn’t do so is to execute a sign-and-trade deal with Minnesota, but Olshey also said Wednesday that he doesn’t see assets worth working out such a deal on Minnesota’s roster.

For more on the Blazers, visit Blazer’s Edge, and make sure to read their posts on Batum’s offer from the Wolves and Portland’s free agent strategy.

In an interview with NBA.com’s David Aldridge, Batum said that he’s ready to move on from the Blazers and have a new beginning in Minnesota.

The Blazers had previously indicated they would match any offer to keep Batum, but that stance has softened in recent days. Batum told Aldridge that the two sides are now working on a sign-and-trade arrangement.

Batum is likely sitll going to end up with the Blazers, but general manager Neil Olshey was rather coy when answering questions related to the restricted free agent during a press conference on Monday to introduce the team’s new rookies.

Answering questions with questions is always a risky proposition, of course, but Olshey’s other comments at the press conference -- transcribed by our friends at Blazer’s Edge -- are just as interesting.

Some of the quotes from Batum’s agent make it seem as though that might not make the player happy, but the Oregonian reports that the Blazers won’t waver from their decision to keep him around.

It shouldn’t be surprising that the Blazers intend to keep Batum -- even if they don’t hammer out a long-term agreement, Portland will have to pay him less than $5 million this season -- but it’ll be interesting to see if any feelings were hurt during this quick ordeal.

Previous reports have said Portland intends to match any offer sheet Batum signed and will not look into trading the fourth-year forward. Batum and his agent met with the Blazers officials Thursday to discuss the 23-year-old’s future with the organization.

Batum can’t officially sign with Minnesota until July 11. Then, the Blazers would have three days to match the offer.

Minnesota had reportedly offered Batum $45-50 million over a four-year deal, a big bump up from the $4 million he is scheduled to make on the final year of his rookie contract with Portland. But with the Blazers matching the Wolves’ offer, Batum will have a choice: stay in Portland and play out that year of his rookie contract, or sign the long-term deal with the Blazers and become a part of their core for years to come.

For more on Batum and the Blazers, head to Blazers Edge. For more on the Wolves, hit up Canis Hoopus and SB Nation Minnesota.