Which Free Agents Should the Bobcats Target?
by David A. Arnott on Jul 3, 2009 4:00 AM EDT
45 comments
Ron Artest is headed for the Lakers.
Marcin Gortat is gonna hook on with the Mavs.
And Trevor Ariza is closing in on an agreement with the Rockets.
===
The Bobcats need to add two players, and, ideally, they will both be better than the current options. At PG, assuming we keep Felton, that would be a player that's better than Dontell Jefferson. Various guys out there who have no business starting, but can back up, include:
Jason Hart
For the backup PF slot, there are, again, plenty of low-cost options who would be better than the current player, who is "no one". Guys who can simply soak up minutes. Expand it to "backup big man", and there are even more options, like Brian Skinner.
Rob Kurz (more of a SF, I guess)
I'm pretty sure none of these guys will get paid anywhere near $5.5 million this upcoming season, which kind of illustrates why giving Felton the QO looks like a bad idea. Not only were a bunch of guys available at both positions for less than $5.5 million combined, but other teams aren't going to want to trade for Felton unless they want him to start for them this year. That said, now that we're committed to Felton's money, it might make sense to trade him for a PF who would cost that much, since we, literally, have no one to back up Diaw adequately.
We can offer the bi-annual exception or the mid-level exception to free agents, but that would push our payroll ever higher, and at the point, I think there's a real question over whether or not it's worth it to spend extra dollars on backup positions, as those are real dollars going out of investors' pockets and into players'.
What say you? Which players does it make most sense to target?
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Hopefully we can land Kleiza
But the guys up there along with Bass(who were close to offering a contract to would make sense
I wouldn't feel great about Kleiza as a primary PF backup.
I think he looks ok there in the Denver system, but he doesn’t do much in the post, really.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
On another note
Since Houston has such a need for a center, and we got two rooting away on the bench. Is it a real possibility that we could get a guy like Laundy(who would be the perfect backup to Diaw) in return for either Diop or Nazi, who could be the Rockets starting center intil Yao is back?
I’d give Nazr for just about anyone…
I like Bass…and LB likes McDyess…
We need to focus on young vets…Bass is young…4 years in the league …does that make him a vet or just experienced?
We could send Nazr to Atlanta for Williams, and a future draft pick. Keep Carolina ball alive in Charlotte…
We could send Diop to Phoenix for Hill…get a second Duke player in the mix.
We add McDyess and AI and Larry has 2 guys he’s used to, but we have aging players…
How bout we ship Felton, Nazr, and VladRad to Detroit for McDyess, Wallace, and AI
Trade No. 1- This would never happen. Ever. Why would they trade a 23-year-old rising forward for a bench-warming center?
Trade No. 2- Diop has more value to us than Grant Hill would.
Trade No. 3- As far as I know Detroit has none of those guys under contract making that trade impossible. Also what would we do with those guys? Bench Bell and Diaw?
Case of the beet bandit. Missing beets from all over the farm, no footprints. Inside job. Mose in socks. Boom. Case closed. -Dwight Schrute
I know
Trade #1…wishful thinking…
Trade #2…position wise Diop has more value but he air ball’s foul shots…
Trade #3…again…wishful thinking
With Trade #3, I will say yes…I’d love to see the Bobcats without Bell. He just doesn’t fit…also…I know that all 3 I mentioned are unrestricted free agents…thus…wishful thinking.
For the record…
I’d like to see Felton, Bell, Nazr, and Diop go.
So…with that scenario…find me a rade where we pick up a decent SG, backup PG, and backup C.
There isn't such a trade
Nazr and Diop’s contracts leave them with somewhere between no value and negative value in a trade. Bell is only useful to most other teams as an expiring contract, but for us he’ll help mentor and ease Henderson into the mix. Felton has value not enough to plug more than one hole in the lineup well, which re-signing him also fills.
Actually none of those four scenarios could happen.
- wishful thinking is putting it mildly
- Hill is a free agent, and Phoenix wants him back
- We only have the MLE to use on McDyess or AI but not both
- All three of the Detroit players are free agents
I think Hill at his salary last year is a better value than Diop at his.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Hill could be a tremendous value at $2-3 million...
But he’s a free agent, so we can’t trad efor him.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Diogu should fit well for the amount he will command
This guy can play but never really got the opportunity to. When he was starting to play better in Indiana, his knee got injured. Then, he had to compete with LA and Frye in Portland when his game was played more on the inside where they already had two 7 foot centers. When he was shipped to Sacramento it was only to relieve salary issues. They aren’t going to play him above their two young PFs.
When he did get playing time he immediately got 30 points and double digit rebounds. You know he can guard other PF because he is mobile enough at 6’9" and he is strong enough to guard Oden in Practice.
He should be worth a veteran’s contract.
Diogu's only started 3 games in the last three years
I like the guy, but that doesn’t happen for nothing.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I would like to see them sign Leon Powe
by Heyward is the next crime dog on Jul 3, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions
I got one
For Salary relief the Bobcats can trade Felton and Nazr for the Wizard’s Mike James and Deshawn Stevenson. Mike James is even more expensive than Felton but he should work better as a back up than Felton would. Deshawn won’t be playing much in Washington with Nick young improving plus the Mike Miller and Foye trade makes him a 4th option in the wing position. Stevenson would complement Bell perfectly and he could play both 2 and 3 position.
With Felton’s new contract , Washington might need to throw in another player to make the trade work, like Dominic Mcguire or Juan Dixon. But this should be an effective salary dump to get rid of Nazr’s huge contract plus Washington can use his size after they shipped two of their Back up Centers in the Miller-Foye trade.
Nice…
Felton and Nazr for James, Stevenson, and Dixon
New contract for Felton? I thought they are offering him an additional year for 5.5 mil…
Then next year we offer a contract of some sort.
by andrewlail76 on Jul 5, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope he either gets better or we ship him somewhere for something good
by andrewlail76 on Jul 5, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Felton's pretty much impossible to trade
If he signs a new contract, base-year compensation comes into the picture. If he doesn’t and takes the QO, he has the right to veto any trade.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
There's no BYC if we can work out the trade with the new contract.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Felton
I just started coming to this site and i’m already tired of the felton hate. We understand you don’t like the fact that we gave him a QO but get over it. You complaining is not going to make him go away. He’s going to be here this year so get over it… Now as far as our needs go lets assume LB is happy with Jefferson as the third point guard. So basically we’re looing at the backup PF. I say make a run at Mcdyess and if he doesn’t sign I say play Radmonovic and Gerald some at the four. Possibly using Ajinca 5-10 min a game at that spot. I don’t think any of those other guys are any better than that option so why waste the money!
He’s here for the year unless someone wants to trade…
Felton hate?
Well…hate is such a strong word…let’s just call it a dislike of him not being consistent…
by andrewlail76 on Jul 5, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Felton and Diop are off the board
No sense trying to trade either of them. Bell likely won’t get traded either. That leaves Nazr. The Bobs have been trying to trade him for a while. There’s not much value we’d get back for him. The best option is likely to keep him until his contract is expiring, then trade him when he has real trade value.
also
I wanted to ask why the Bobs should be wanting to sign a FA point guard? We’re already over the cap on a team that’s just fighting for a playoff spot. DJ and Felts have the position locked up. Adding a PF the caliber of Bass or Dyce is job 1. Then maybe a wing if you see something that looks interesting. Bargain basement PGs make no sense to me however.
Think of it as insurance. Should we trade Felton or if DJ suffers an injury we’ve insured ourselves of a quality back-up.
Case of the beet bandit. Missing beets from all over the farm, no footprints. Inside job. Mose in socks. Boom. Case closed. -Dwight Schrute
+1
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
If Felton returns, the 3rd PG should be a D-league type prospect like Jefferson.
The backup PF spot is a much more urgent priority, and the Bobcats are showing interest in McDyess and Bass. Those would be two solid options, and Drew Gooden would be a good fit, too, but may be a bit too pricey. I’d take D-League talent over any of the PF’s mentioned in the original post and hope Ajinca could contribute something this year.
Spending money on a PF to go with Diaw could be a great investment. It could well be the difference between making and missing the playoffs this year. Fielding a winner will go a long ways towards making the Bobcats a viable NBA team in Charlotte and could pump up the team value assuming Bob Johnson is finding it difficult to sell the franchise for his asking price.
Sweet!
Hadn’t really thought about which D-Leaguers could be good fits, but he’s one guy that definitely should get a shot with an NBA team. If the Bobcats don’t sign mid-level talent, then Benson is my new favorite – a hungry young guy who would embrace the role of hitting the boards hard and providing energy off the bench. He’d be an instant fan favorite, and hopefully he’d keep his blog going, too.
I don't dislike what he does on the court...
But it’s interesting to me that he hasn’t even got as much as a summer league shot since ’07. Why do you think that may be?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
the way i see the roster....
…there isn’t really a need to add any player through free agency. The Cats’ roster is over capacity already and if they make any move it needs to be a trade.
1 – Felton / Augustin
2 – Bell / Henderson
3 – Wallace / Brown
4 – Diaw / Radmanovic
5- Okafor / DIop
that still leaves Jefferson, Mohammed, & Ajinca. Not a bad line up. Obviously room for improvement. But maybe the Cats can develop the young players they’ve got now. Between Augustin, Henderson, Ajinca and Brown that is 3 first round draft picks and 1 second round pick over the last two seasons. All of four may blossom into a talented core of the future.
So rather than foolishly chase FA’s that may – or may not – be an improvement when the team needs to save money, the Cats should spend their efforts on 1) developing those young players that they’ve already invested money in and 2) finding someway to unload Mohammed’s contract if they refuse to play him.
And i don't understand why Brown won't play Mohammed.
If it was a video game I’d sub Nazr in every so often at both C and PF just for a change of pace and a different look. Not to mention they’re paying him so much money. Is Mohammed just that bad? Out of shape? Did he have a falling out with the coaching staff?
I’m with you on this one…
If you’re paying the guy and he’s healthy, why not play him. IT isn’t like he’s like May and can’t play for weight/knee issues. I had read an article where Nazr had been working out this off season and was in pretty good shape…
I’ll look for the article so I can post it.
Those references about his conditioning...
are from his twitter feed.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Again…honestly…you are correct
We have a good batch of players that will come around. Ajinca has excellent basketball I.Q…he just needs to hang with May and put on some pounds..just not too many too fast. Henderson and Brown will fit well as they get into the NBA and that playing style.
Reality is that we really are stuck. There isn’t any way to get rid of the big contracts we have on worthless layers…
Even with the Morrison, Shannon Brown trade…
If we would have just kept them both, Morrison would have a year left and S. Brown would have been contract worthy. Instead we have VladRad’s contract, and Cartier Martin(who I like also)
I liked Matt Carrol and Ryan Hollins…
If we would have kept them, we would’nt have the Diop contract…Matt would have been here with his contract, but it wasn’t a bad one. Ryan continues to mature in the NBA and would have been a great C/PF sub…but we didn’t
If both of these scenarios would have taken place…we’d only have Nazr’s ugly contract, and my guess is that we would have seen many Diaw to Hollins Alley Oop dunks…or Diaw to S. Brown Alley oops…
also…you’d see Adam sitting on the bench with Sean..at least they would have each other to talk to…
We would unload May this year…leaving Morrison as the last of the bad draft choices to unload.
But we are where we are, and we have to live with what is here…
Time Heals all wounds…
Also, hindsight is 20/20
You seem very patient.
Most (including the front office, apparently) weren’t anywhere near close to satisfied with Hollins’ progress over the last few years. Is he really any better than he came into the league?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
But is developing players on the court really the best option...
If they’re going to hurt our play and our record?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh...
And they’ve tried to play Mohammed. He’s sucked. Every other team in the league knows that, and they’re not going to trade for that player with that contrac.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Couple notes...
Anthony Carter is a good player. If Felton leaves, I’d be delighted to have him as our backup. He takes care of the ball and his good shot selection is a good thing. In addition, he would be a good veteran mentor for Augustin.
Also, I asked Bonnell about Bogans as a backup point candidate, and he reminded me he’s never really been much of a PG.
Those PF options are pretty ugly.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
Agree on Carter
He’s probably the best of a very weak group of PG options. But I only like that option if losing Felton helps the Bobcats improve somewhere else, such as backup PF.
Why deal for scruffs?
Is Chris Bosh available? Why not get a true center and let Ameka play the pf spot which is his true postion isn’t it?
Because Emeka isn't a PF at all and Chris Bosh would cost, well, our whole team.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 13, 2009 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions
not seeing much powe love…not an all-star but definitely a nice player to have that will contribute with toughness and work ethic.
...If he can ever play again.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 13, 2009 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions
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