Nicolas Batum's time with the Trail Blazers may be coming to an end after the French small forward and his agent traveled to Portland Thursday to ask the Blazers not to match the Minnesota Timberwolves' offer sheet, according to CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes.
Minnesota's verbal offer reportedly stands at four years and $45 million, an offer which Portland will have the chance to match after July 11. If the Blazers do match despite Batum's wishes, a sign-and-trade would still be a possibility.
Batum grew frustrated with his role in Portland, which he felt limited him to being a spot-up shooter and wing defender instead of allowing him to get out and run the floor in transition, Bounda Ndiaye, Batum's agent, told Haynes.
The 6-foot-8 forward's visit with the Timberwolves and head coach Rick Adelman sealed the deal.
"Ndiaye says Batum is enamored with the opportunity of possibly playing with a true point guard in Ricky Rubio and a All-Star player in Kevin Love. They had dinner with Rick Adelman in which he went over his coaching philosophy and style. At that point, Batum was hooked, according to Ndiaye."
For more on the Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus, and for all NBA news and updates, head over to SBNation's NBA Page.