Esteban

Batista

He is likely to become the first Uruguay native to play in the NBA. He’ll have no fantasy value if he makes the Hawks final roster.

Batista’s transfer is reportedly worth $1.2 million and will keep the 31-year-old away from the NBA for another season. He’s never been a fantasy factor before and that doesn’t look to change soon, so fantasy owners can mve along to the next blurb.

He’ll compete for a roster spot in training camp and chances are he’ll latch on as one of the team’s final 15 players. Batista, a 6-foot-10, 270-pound Uruguay native, played sparingly for Atlanta last season, but averaged a tournament-best 12.4 rebounds and 20.8 points during the recent FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas.

“The situation has reopened,” agent Marc Cornstien said. “Boston is very much alive.” Cornstien has said Indiana and Charlotte also made offers and talks with Phoenix have slowed. Batista played sparingly for Atlanta last season, but averaged 20.8 points and a tournament-best 12.4 rebounds in the FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas last month. He’s not worth drafting for your fantasy team regardless of where he ends up.

The Bobcats, Suns and Pacers are targeting him as well after he played well above his head for Uruguay at the FIBA Tournament in Las Vegas. Batista, who barely saw any time for the Hawks (1.5 ppg) last year, led the tournament in rebounding (12.4) and was third in scoring (20.8). “I think he will be a good pick for them (Celtics),” said Cornstien. He’s a tough banger who runs the floor.” Meanwhile the Hawks are just hoping he doesn’t turn out to be another Boris Diaw (circa 05-06).

That means that Charlotte, Phoenix and Indiana are still in the running for his services and given the Suns’ outlook and need for a big man, our money is on Phoenix. Batista averaged a FIBA tournament-best 12.4 rebounds and 20.8 points during the recent event in Vegas. The C’s are probably still looking for another big man to bring into camp.

“I’m fed up of sitting on the bench and I felt it might be the same after the Celtics’ European tour,” Batista said. The deal is reportedly a two-year contract.

He’s leading the FIBA Americas Tournament in rebounding and is near the top in scoring as well. He’s an unsigned free agent with the Hawks, but could be in line to secure a spot with an NBA team this year based on his strong performance in this event.

This isn’t all that surprising given the fact that they have a suprlus of bigs as it stands. However, this should not be the last we hear from Batista this season, especially after his fantastic FIBA tournament. Expect him to land with another team at some point this season. The C’s roster is down to 16 players now and two more cuts are expected soon. Celtics on the bubble include rookie guard Jackie Manuel, rookie forward Brandon Wallace and guard Dahntay Jones.

If he keeps this up, he could be signed by an NBA team prior to the start of the season. Of course, it’s important to remember he did this against Panama.