Trail Blazers: Batum is Back in Rip City!

Nicolas Batum is making his return to Portland for the first time this season.

Nicolas Batum will be making his return to Portland. This will be the first time he plays on the Trail Blazers’ court since being traded to the Charlotte Hornets this past summer. Last year he was coming off of a down season, as he struggled with his shot. Batum hit just 40 percent from the field, which was the lowest of his career. His shooting woes led to a decline in his scoring average. The result was the lowest scoring average since his rookie season. The main contributor to his shooting slump was a wrist injury he battled with throughout last season.

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He was then sent to Charlotte, the Trail Blazers acquired two year big man Noah Vonleh and six year vet Gerald Henderson. Batum looks at his opportunity with the Hornets as a chance to bounce-back from his poor performance in Portland. Charlotte was in need for more help on the wing and figured that Batum was the piece that they were looking for. There is no doubt that he had the versatility to get the job done, the main concern was will he come back from the off season completely healthy and ready to go.

Nov 11, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) prepares to pass as he is defended by New York Knicks guard Landston Galloway (2) during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Since his debut with the Hornets, Batum has been averaging around 34.7 minutes per game. He has been scoring 14.9 PPG (shooting over 40% from the field, and over 30% from beyond the arc). This is an increase in both columns from last season. He has increased his rebounding numbers (6.4) and his assists (5.3). Batum is making things look easy from the wing, just as the Hornets organization expected. He will become a free agent after this season. Giving him a year in Charlotte to revamp his value. It’s safe to say that Batum is off to a pretty good start.

Batum was not the only player on the move in this trade. The Trail Blazers acquired shooting guard Henderson and power forward Vonleh. Both players have been contributors to the Blazers success since their arrival.

Dec 26, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) dribbles the ball as Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh (21) defends at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Henderson had a slow start due to recovery from hip surgery, but recently he has found his rhythm. In the month of January Henderson’s numbers have been going in the right direction. He is playing 16.9 minutes per game. He recently recorded 15 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 21 minutes during the Trail Blazers 112-97 win over the Sacramento Kings. Slowly but surely Henderson is proving his solidity to the Blazers.

The other addition was 20 year old big man Noah Vonleh. The talented power forward is off to a good start. He has been placed in the starting role in just his second season. He was the 9^th overall pick in the 2014 draft, but saw limited playing time as a rookie in Charlotte. During his tenure in Portland so far he is averaging 16.0 minutes per game. He has been scoring 3.7 PPG (shooting over 40 % from the field). He’s been grabbing 4.0 RPG, and shooting above 80% from the free throw line. Vonleh is a skilled big man who has a lot of potential. Through patience and dedication, Vonleh will indeed become a long-term asset for the Blazers.

The trade seems to be working with both sides. This should lead to a warm reception for Batum tonight.