ChrisHaynes, CSNNW.com Trail Blazers Insider (@ChrisBHaynes)
Editors Note: Updated 1:05pm
LASVEGAS The Nicolas Batum saga has taken on a life of its own andmost are ecstatic that this situation will be resolved shortly. A lotof Portland Trail Blazer fans have been on pins and needles inregards to where Batum will be playing next year.
However,there might not have been anybody else who was more concerned with howthings would play out than Minnesota Timberwolves forward DerrickWilliams.
CSNNW.comasked Williams how close he was to being dealt to the TrailBlazers in a sign-and-trade for Batum.
Itwas real, Williams explained to CSNNW.com. My agent told me tobe aware and know what's going on at all times. It definitely lookedlike I was headed to Portland at one point, but I couldn't reallyfocus on that because I play for the Timberwolves. But, it's hard."
EverydayI was talking to my agent and he would call me at the end of the daywith updates and that's all you could ask for. (It) was definitely atough time.
Williams, 21,said the Batum uncertainty really affected him because he's only beenwith the team for a year, and being the No. 2 pick inthe 2011 NBA draft, he didn't want to leave Minnesota without showingthe city what he was capable of doing.
Throughoutthe whole draft process (last year), it was a big thing about howmyself, K-Love and how Beasley were going to play together. And nowthat Beasley is gone, we're still having the same (trade) talks aboutthat, Williams said. I thought it would be over once Beasleyleft, but it's the same thing going on.
Williamsadmitted to glancing over the Trail Blazers roster just in case atrade went down, but says he tried not to go there with histhought process.
Yesterday,the Trail Blazers told Batum's agent that Batum needed to be in townfor a physical, an indicator that the team is set to matchMinnesota's offer sheet of four-years, 46.5 million.
WhenWilliams heard about this news, he said he was relieved a bit, butsays he's still on the edge until he hears otherwise.
Ipretty much have been hearing that I was going to Portland everyday,Williams said. When they (Timberwolves) tell me I'm staying, I'lllet it go. You can't just ignore it, but you have to just playthrough it and stay professional.
