Bobcats Rumors

[TarHeelBorn]

Few tidbits from Chad Ford:

- "Small forwards on the market include Richard Jefferson of the New Jersey Nets, Josh Howard of the Dallas Mavericks, Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats and Tayshaun Prince of the Detroit Pistons."

That came from a reference to a possible trade with the Suns who have Barbosa and Diaw "on the block". He also said it's unknown whether or not the Suns would be interested in Wallace b/c of his contract. Main thing for me was that G-Dub is being shopped.

- Ford seems to think that Westbrook has a promise b/c he has canceled all remaining workouts. He has reasons to think the promise didn't come from Chicago (obviously), Miami (obviously), Minny (obviously), Memphis, New York, Bucks, Clippers, or Pacers. That leaves the Sonics and the Bobcats. Sonics like him and might think about trading down to take him. However, Ford thinks we are the most likely to have made the promise.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=Drafttradetalk-080618

[TarHeelBorn]

Also found this...

Ian (Charlotte, NC): Do you think there is any chance Kevin Love falls to the Bobcats? If not, do you think they take Brook Lopez or try to trade back and take Koufos, Anjica, or Hibbert?

SportsNation Chad Ford: I think Love goes No. 5 to Memphis. If he doesn't, the Bobcats are a likely destination. If he's gone, I think they look at Brook Lopez, Russell Westbrook, DeAndre Jordan and Alexis Ajinca.

Gary(Charlotte): Chad what are the chances of Gearld Wallace being moved?

SportsNation Chad Ford: Larry Brown likes to shake things up. I hear he's available. I think someone will show interest. They really want a center.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=21133

[~spectre~]

Westbrook said flat out he hasn't talked to us yet, but maybe that's just doublespeak and his agent did instead. One thing I found very interesting in the writeup on the official site was LB saying that he hasn't seen anyone that could come in and start yet.

That being said, how can we trade Crash without opening up another hole in the starting lineup? Somehow I just don't see LB going with Hammer or Ammo.

[TarHeelBorn]

My preferred move at this point would be to trade down, pick up a roll player or back-up PG or something and take Hibbert or Alexis Ajinca.

[jailer]

How old is gerald wallace. If he is only 25 I would like for the grizz to make a move for him.

[TarHeelBorn]

How old is gerald wallace. If he is only 25 I would like for the grizz to make a move for him.
Not sure what kinda deal would get done there. I don't think the Cats would use Wallace as part of a package to trade up unless it yielded a top 3 pick. Maybe top 4, but no one besides Beasley, Rose, Mayo, and maybe Bayless are worth losing Wallace for.

[MikeUK]

If Westbrook were still there would we take him over a project big?

Wallace plays the 4, JRich the 3 and we get a defensive 2 who can do a bit of everything else. Completes our starting 5 but makes us a bit of a Pheonix style fast break offense. It would seem to fit so we play to many of our starters offensive style, but leaves us weak guarding bigs on defense even though we take maybe the best defender in the draft and have a very good overall defender in Wallace guarding that bigger guy!

I could still see a trade of Wallace for Odom making sense here, even though I'd hate to see him go, it just seems to make us more balanced, and the Lakers the same. I wouldn't do it if in charge but it would make us more balanced especially in that draft situation.

[meanmonster]

Gerald Wallace will not play the 4 spot under Larry Brown, count on that. Brown knows how to win basketball, and while PHX could have won a Title at some point...the odds are against. You must have a good complimentary team.

I hope the Bobcats do not select Lopez, he doesnt have much upside. If they were thinking along those lines, they'd be better off to trade down and select Hibbert.

[TarHeelBorn]

If Westbrook is there, we will definitely be tempted. I don't think Brown will every start or play Wallace at 4 at all so Westbrook would be drafted to compete with Felton to either push him to the next level or to take his job.

I like Odom but he would be a short term solution to enable us to pick up a new PF/C in free agency next year. I don't know why but I get the feeling that Gerald won't be a Bobcat next year, I just hope the front office doesn't take too little in return.

[rufuspaul]

Westbrook would make sense if we have a deal in place to get a quality 4 for Crash. I'd hate to see him go, but meanmonster is right. LB won't play him at that position and we're already loaded at 3. We get a quality big, a back-up for Felton, and hopefully Ammo and May come back healthy.

[PacerRaptor]

How old is gerald wallace. If he is only 25 I would like for the grizz to make a move for him.
trade Gerald Wallace for Mike Miller:

Felton
Miller
Richardson
Okafor
#9 (Lopez or Jordan)

[rufuspaul]

trade Gerald Wallace for Mike Miller:

Felton
Miller
Richardson
Okafor
#9 (Lopez or Jordan)

The problem with that is that #9 is not going to be a starter.

[UConnCeltics]

What happened to Sean May? He was drafted in the lottery and I was looking at depth charts and he was the 4th PF. He eat himself out of the league?

[rufuspaul]

What happened to Sean May? He was drafted in the lottery and I was looking at depth charts and he was the 4th PF. He eat himself out of the league?

Basically. He hasn't played healthy since college. Best case scenario would be to have him back at 100% but I would settle for him just getting enough minutes to have some trade value at this point.

[TarHeelBorn]

The problem with that is that #9 is not going to be a starter.
Hate to say it but probably only JRich, G-Dub, and Okafor (as a PF) are starters on most quality teams in the league. A some guys, like Lopez or Hibbert, may not be starters but they could be and they are at least NBA ready enough to back-up Nazr. Case in point, we MUST add front court depth this off-season.

[PacerRaptor]

Hate to say it but probably only JRich, G-Dub, and Okafor (as a PF) are starters on most quality teams in the league. A some guys, like Lopez or Hibbert, may not be starters but they could be and they are at least NBA ready enough to back-up Nazr. Case in point, we MUST add front court depth this off-season.
whats wrong with Nazr? How come he didnt start more games? I remember seeing him play when he first came to Charlotte and he put up some good numbers, but after that he came off the bench and played like shlt

[~spectre~]

Nothing was wrong with him...supposedly he had a "career" year with us. His minutes went down because our idiot of a coach couldn't figure out how to play him alongside Mek.

[TarHeelBorn]

Nothing was wrong with him...supposedly he had a "career" year with us. His minutes went down because our idiot of a coach couldn't figure out how to play him alongside Mek.
He's still not a long term solution.

[~spectre~]

He's still not a long term solution.

Absolutely not. But I am starting to think he might be the stopgap this season, allow us to get a big like Hibbert, the French guy or even a combo like Westbrook, bring 'em along as they should be and not have to trade Crash.

Ever since LB said he's not seen any starters in these workouts I've been in a quandry on how to get in 5 legit starters. Even if we trade Crash we're not getting 2 starters back...and notice all the rumors (Ford esp.) say we're really wanting a C. Unless we're able to trade that pick back and get a starter that way the only short term option I see is Nazr at the 5...with a lot of Duds thrown in.

[TarHeelBorn]

#9 for #15 + Barbosa or Diaw? Or are the Suns giving up too much?

[MikeUK]

Don't think we can do that because of saleries?

But yeah I think that's a bit much, there isn't much difference in 9 and 15 this year most experts are saying. I can see lopez falling if not taken 3 by Minnesota and while he is meant to be weak on defense, maybe his offensive game would be a good match next to Okafor? Not really seen it mentioned on this board.

[TarHeelBorn]

Don't think we can do that because of saleries?

But yeah I think that's a bit much, there isn't much difference in 9 and 15 this year most experts are saying. I can see lopez falling if not taken 3 by Minnesota and while he is meant to be weak on defense, maybe his offensive game would be a good match next to Okafor? Not really seen it mentioned on this board.
That's b/c he's not seen as having any upside and he doesn't rebound or play defense well for his size. He's all offensive.

[jailer]

I hope you guys enjoyed the fast paced bobcats while they were there. Brown in gonna implement "the right way to play" basketball style. Which means you will be all defense. he is gonna build the team around that philosophy.

[Jordandunk23]

bobcats have talent in their roster. They can solidify the bench and make some moves. I think Coach Brown will put this team in the playoffs next season.

[Felton in '08]

trade Gerald Wallace for Mike Miller:

Felton
Miller
Richardson
Okafor
#9 (Lopez or Jordan)

Umm...can someone please explain to me why we would even consider this? This is one of the worst trade ideas I've seen floated anywhere.

[TarHeelBorn]

Umm...can someone please explain to me why we would even consider this? This is one of the worst trade ideas I've seen floated anywhere.
We won't, don't worry.

[MikeUK]

Yeah can't see us wanting miller for nothing cause of his 9 mil + salery. Certainly not for that.

[TarHeelBorn]

Chad Ford has us taking Love at 9. I hate the pick more now than ever. I really hope we take a true center instead of another PF b/c it won't let us move Okafor to the 4.

[meanmonster]

Okafor may be on the way out the door this summer. Probably would be the best thing for Charlotte. Rid themselves of Okafor , who is not an all-star player at this point... and do their damnest to get rid of Morrison.

[TarHeelBorn]

Okafor may be on the way out the door this summer. Probably would be the best thing for Charlotte. Rid themselves of Okafor , who is not an all-star player at this point... and do their damnest to get rid of Morrison.
If we do trade Okafor, it needs to be in a sign and trade and we need to get something in return. We need to try our damnedest to get some kind of return for him. However, I am pretty confident we can re-sign him b/c his value is way down to other teams.

[~spectre~]

Couple of FWIW rumors:

Guy in Minnesota is speculating about a 9th/Ammo for 3rd/filler trade...the Minny organization has been asked twice (last time this AM) and won't comment.

Laker fan on RealGM says we are in "serious" talks about a Odom/Crash swap.

[liverpooty]

" Chad Ford has us taking Love at 9. I hate the pick more now than ever. I really hope we take a true center instead of another PF b/c it won't let us move Okafor to the 4. "

We dont need Okafor at the 4, we need him at the 5.

[meanmonster]

Couple of FWIW rumors:

Guy in Minnesota is speculating about a 9th/Ammo for 3rd/filler trade...the Minny organization has been asked twice (last time this AM) and won't comment.

Laker fan on RealGM says we are in "serious" talks about a Odom/Crash swap.

Charlotte needs to move up if at all possible and get...OJ MAYO. I have seen this kid play since he was younger at Huntington High School in Huntington WV and got a chance to see him play in college. He is the real deal. If Charlotte wants a guy to put AIS (arses in seats) and to get a next gen stud, they need to amp up the charge to try to pursue the 3rd pick...but beware... I wouldnt be surprised to see the Heat take him @ #2. He is THAT good. If the Bobcats can get him, I'd be trecking up from Winston Salem for some season tix, he is the only player besides Beastley I'd pay to watch at this point in this years draft. That may change in the future.

Bobcats send #9, Morrison, and player... (?) for Minny's #3. Even if Miami goes with Mayo, still get Beasley or Rose. Win-Win Situation. And Morrison who is taking up NBA space and money , is gone.

[TarHeelBorn]

" Chad Ford has us taking Love at 9. I hate the pick more now than ever. I really hope we take a true center instead of another PF b/c it won't let us move Okafor to the 4. "

We dont need Okafor at the 4, we need him at the 5.
WHAT?!?! I know you pay more attention to Bobcat basketball than that, liverpooty...

[TarHeelBorn]

Couple of FWIW rumors:

Guy in Minnesota is speculating about a 9th/Ammo for 3rd/filler trade...the Minny organization has been asked twice (last time this AM) and won't comment.

Laker fan on RealGM says we are in "serious" talks about a Odom/Crash swap.
Those 2 deals go through, our starting line-up becomes Felton, Mayo, JRich, Odom, Okafor... kinda small but still playoff potential in the East, especially under Larry Brown. Problem is that we still wouldn't have any depth, which is the major concern.


However, I think Minny will get a lot better offers than 9 + Ammo for 3 unless they send us some terrible contract so they can go after a free agent. That terrible contract is Antoine Walker. If we took on him and Odom, we would clear $24 mil in cap space after next season! That would be pretty spectacular considering we could still have Felton, Mayo, Jrich, and Okafor under contract + cap space. Now if we could only ship off Carroll's contract. However, we really want to have cap space in the 2010 off season, not the 2009 off season.

I do think the Wallace for Odom deal could certainly come to be. It would allow us to clear a ton of cap space in a year. But isn't G-Dub a BYC player? That rule always confuses me with trades.

[liverpooty]

I pay plenty of attention to Bobcats basketball, perhaps more than you do. Okafor guarding all these perimeter 4's all across the league is an absolute disaster. Id rather have Okafor at the 5 and get or draft a 4 that has the athletic ability/lateral movement to guard perimeter oriented forwards.

[MikeUK]

I'm with liverpooty on this, Okafor is weaker defending the 4 than the 5 and is better in the low post offensively than shooting mid range. Sure he's short for a Center but Ben Wallace was even shorter and won multiple DPOY as a Center I thought?

Also Mek is underated offensively one on one he just doesn't otherwise create his own points. If we can get him a partner to spread the floor just a little rather than mr 4 ft range Nazr (who is OK as a squad player) then his offense would go up too.

[~spectre~]

THB Crash's BYC drops July 1st so the deal with LAL would have to go down after that. We're still like 1 million short salarywise, so maybe a re-signed Hollins on a 1 year 1 million dollar contract to make it work?

I agree with Liverpooty that Mek seems to be more comfortable at the 5 spot, but I have a theory that it's Mek and not necessarily the organization who's pushing him being a PF. Remember the Idiot last year 1st saying he needed a C, we get Nazr then 2 weeks later the Idiot declares Mek a 5? Remember Mek and the Idiot getting into a heated argument around that time?

I'm thinking that like Felts and the "combo guard" thing, management is trying to undo last year's mistakes and get the players confidence in themselves and the team back. Mek really only struggles with certain PFs like Bosh, most he can hang with. IMO the main thing is to get a better rebounder/help defender beside him.

Meanmonster, totally agree that Mayo is worth making extaodinary moves in order to acquire him, but even if Miami takes him 2nd Beasley certainly wouldn't be a bad "settle".

[TarHeelBorn]

I definitely meant that in a joking manner liverpooty, we are all friends and avid Bobcats fans here.

The thing is, if we are talking about who can guard who, Love is NOT the answer. He is not going to keep up with anyone that Mek can't ... I don't care what his combine numbers show, he ain't guarding Bosh, Garnett, or Howard. In general, this team is in a tough place and this is a really tough draft; I'd hate to be management right now.

[Timmeh]

Feel free to make new threads dizzle....no need to resurrect 3 year old threads.

[CLTHornets4eva]

" Chad Ford has us taking Love at 9. I hate the pick more now than ever. I really hope we take a true center instead of another PF b/c it won't let us move Okafor to the 4. "

We dont need Okafor at the 4, we need him at the 5.


That was a good prediction. :lol