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Portland Trail Blazers: Nicolas Batum opts in, Wesley Matthews opts out

By Stevie Cozens

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 27: LaMarcus Aldridge #12, Nicolas Batum #88 and Wesley Matthews #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrate after Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on April 27, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won the game 123-120. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 27: LaMarcus Aldridge #12, Nicolas Batum #88 and Wesley Matthews #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrate after Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center on April 27, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won the game 123-120. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Ex Portland Trail Blazers Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews have both made their choices around their player options. Batum opted in, and Matthews opted out.

NBA Free Agency and the Draft are getting closer, and we are now seeing players making decisions on their player options. Ex Portland Trail Blazers Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum made their decisions recently and were announced by NBA Insider Shams Charania.

Batum has had injury issues and then limited effectiveness at the back end of his five-year max deal with the Charlotte Hornets, so him opting in isn’t a surprise. He will likely play a small role on a Hornets team that will be tanking in the 2021 season.

Matthews on the other hand, was a little up in the air. He had a great year for the Milwaukee Bucks and was one of their best wing defenders in what was a disappointing playoffs for the Bucks as a team.

In the last few days, though, there have been rumors that Matthews would sign with the Lakers to replace Danny Green, who has been conditionally moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder. I still like the idea of Matthews being a backup wing for the Blazers, but his skill replication with Gary Trent Jr. means this is an unlikely move for Neil Olshey and the team.

Two Blazers need to make decisions on their options; Rodney Hood and Mario Hezonja. I expect both of these to be straight forward decisions of opt-ins.

Next. 3 scenarios to bring LaMarcus Aldridge back to the Portland Trail Blazers. dark