Houston Rockets: Nic Batum is not the solution to be sought after
By T.A. Mock
The Houston Rockets are looking for help on the wing, one that preferably can be swapped from Ryan Anderson. Here’s why Nic Batum is not the answer.
The Houston Rockets are said to be looking to add help on the wing. Specifically, they’re looking for a defender or two to come in and fill a hole in the rotation. There have been quite a few players linked to the team in this process as the offseason enters it’s final stretch.
In acquiring a defender, the team is hoping to offload Ryan Anderson’s albatross of a contract. He has two years and $42 million left on his contract. Anderson just doesn’t fit in very well with the Rockets anymore, he doesn’t play enough defense and holds back the pace. So, flipping his contract for a better, pacier defender on the wing will help this team out.
One of the names floating across the Twitterverse and fandom is Nic Batum. Batum was drafted by the Rockets in 2008 but began his career with the Portland Trailblazers and gave the Houston Rockets fits in the playoffs while there. He then signed a huge contract with the Charlotte Hornets that he is currently playing out.
light. Related Story. Turning Ryan Anderson into Justise Winslow and James Johnson is a win
Thus far, Batum played much better for Portland than he has for Charlotte. Granted, he has dealt with some injuries in Charlotte but, he’s played in 64+ games every year since arriving. However, the 2017-18 season was one of the worst of his career.
He averaged 11.6 points on 41.5% shooting from the field and 33.6% from three. He added 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists to go with that shooting. While the assists are actually pretty great for a wing, that’s about the only part of his game to get excited about.
His shooting percentage from three continues a decline that has been happening for about four years. He hasn’t really been a dangerous shooter since the 2013-14 season, his second to last with Portland.
His offense could still end up being serviceable on a new team with less pressure on him, especially with his passing prowess. But, the biggest reason why he isn’t a fit for this Houston Rockets team is his defense is absolutely atrocious.
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He would make Carmelo Anthony look solid on defense. Who, by the way, just verbally agreed to sign with the Houston Rockets upon his return from Africa. So, Rockets fans can stop sweating about that.
Batum rated as the 67th shooting guard in defensive real plus/minus. He also ranked the 11th percentile in individual defense. That is absolutely horrendous for a guy of his height and length. Batum is 6’8″ and should be a better defender than that by default.
On top of that, Batum actually has a worse contract that Anderson. He is signed until 2021 for $24 million this year and blossoming up to over $27 million in the 2020-21 season.
The Houston Rockets need to avoid adding this money at all costs. Batum isn’t worth the extra money the Rockets would be forced to pay. Adding a wing while cutting costs, or at least keeping them the same, needs to be an extremely high priority.
Next. Two crucial players needed to trade for Kent Bazemore. dark
The Houston Rockets would be much better suited trading for Kent Bazemore or the duo from Miami, Justise Winslow and James Johnson. Either of these trades would cost more but, would be infinitely more worth it.