Oh man. Vonleh was like the one young guy on the Hornets team with a chance to develop a really nice offensive game on a team lacking offensive genius.
So what do they do? Trade him for Batum, a guy known for his defense who has failed to develop on the offensive end past his first few seasons.
They've been in win now mode since MJ took over and it's gonna prevent them from ever winning anything important.
On the flip side, I think I really like the deal for Portland. Batum, if he doesn't pick his game up from last season, was on a pretty bad contract. He really, really took a nose dive last year, basically ending any remaining hope they'd he would eventually become a star caliber player. Get rid of that, pick up a guy who can replace some of the things he did for you in Henderson, and get a really promising young prospect as well.