Minnesota Timberwolves Free Agency 2012: Nicolas Batum a Good Fit at Small Forward?

Nicolas Batum has been an integral part of a Trail Blazers starting five that leads in the NBA in scoring. (Photo Credit/Flickr.com)

The Minnesota Timberwolves have hit the free agency period and have shown interest in Nicolas Batum, the Portland Trailblazer’s small forward. The problem is that the Timberwolves already have a newly-acquired small forward in Chase Budinger. Could Batum be a good fit for the Timberwolves at small forward?

Although Budinger and Batum play the same position, they certainly don’t play the same game. Budinger brings the kind of shooting ability that the Wolves have been missing while Batum is a much better all-around player that will bring defensive intensity as well as a good shooting touch.

The answer in all of this? Play them both at the same time. With a lineup of Ricky Rubio, Budinger, Batum, Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic, the Wolves would have a great size advantage and still be strong on the perimeter.

Another major reason this would be a big deal is it allows for a lot more flexibility for coach Rick Adelman. If the Wolves were to get into foul trouble it would be easy to slide the lineup one way or another as he sees fit.

Having players that play the same position can be a problem but only if they have the same skillset. Batum and Budinger compliment each other and can certainly perform on the court at the same time.