Nicolas Batum admitted he occasionally plays the what-if game in regards to the four-year, $45 million offer sheet he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves and was subsequently matched by the Portland Trail Blazers.

"I've thought about it, but the thing is, we will never know,'' Batum said. "Maybe it would have worked out well and (Minnesota) would have been a good team. Maybe not. You just never know. The thing is, I'm glad (Portland) matched because we are doing good since we matched.''

The Blazers played the Wolves on Wednesday as the team he nearly joined misses the playoffs yet again.

Batum said his desire to leave had nothing to do with Portland the city, or its fans, but rather the direction of the franchise.

The Blazers had just drafted Damian Lillard and he helped turn around the franchise.

"When I signed with Minnesota, Portland had three guys under contract,'' Batum said. "We had drafted Dame, but I didn't know him. Knew he was from a small school, but didn't know him. And didn't know the system we would play because hadn't signed Terry (Stotts) yet ... and we just had a bad season.''

Batum was sold by the opportunity to play for Rick Adelman.

"He was the right coach for me, that was the main reason - coach Adelman,'' Batum said. "But now, I don't regret it, because the way we play, and the direction of the franchise. I'm good with it. I'm good now.''

The Blazers are again a playoff team this season.

"We can imagine what it would have been like, and people say, yeah the injuries and everything, but who knows, maybe it would have been different?'' Batum said. "The thing is, they matched, and after that they signed Terry, got Rolo, Dame became Dame, and bang - we are a 50-win team. I am very happy.''