A trade I think is possible, and beneficial...

by James Dator on Jul 9, 2009 8:09 AM EDT

Bobcats get: SF Shane Battier, PF Luis Scola

Rockets get: SG Raja Bell, C Nazr Mohammed, Future 2nd rd pick.

The Rockets are in desperate need of a big man, and with the injury exception for Yao they have the room to take the extra $1.5 mil in this deal. Also, with the Ariza signing they have a glut of players at the 3 and though giving up Battier is big for them, they're also getting a caretaker to hold the paint until Yao comes back. They also get a lockdown defender in Bell who can ease departure of Ron Artest.

As for the Bobcats, I see this deal being predicated on the possibility of Larry Brown being able to have a sitdown with Allen Iverson and coax him to come to Charlotte and end his career like Grant Hill is doing, rather than fizzling out like Latrell Sprewell. Scola gives up the PF depth we need and Battier gives us a tenacious defender off the bench. It also sheds $1.5 million in cap space, which is a need for the Bobcats.

This would make our team:

PG: Felton/Augustin

SG: Iverson/Henderson

SF: Wallace/Battier

PF: Diaw/Scola/Brown

C: Okafor/Diop/Ajinca

What do you think? Would you make this deal? Also, this trade works according to ESPN's trade machine.

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I like that trade. Although I think the Rockets would be hesitant to give up Scola. Would MJ and LB be happy with another Dukie coming on board, lol. But you’re right, Battier would give us some grittiness that this team is lacking. Scola would bring offense and energy off the bench.

"A Tar Heel Born and a Tar Heel bred, and when i die ill be a Tar Heel dead."

by mad_dog_maddux on Jul 9, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

No doubt the Rockets would be hesitant, as the Bobcats are easily getting the better end of the deal talent wise. However, desperation leads to some undesirable moves.

After losing out on Gortat the FA market for centers is razor thin, and Nazr at least gives them a shot to do something this year without Yao. Plus, Bell’s expiring contract is definitely enticing to a team who could play a roll in the summer of 2010.

by James Dator on Jul 9, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Well Played

Bell’s contract would be worth its weight in gold for the players of Bosh, James, Wade, and the like. Im totally wanting Nazr out, if LB is not going to play him, they should trade him.

"A Tar Heel Born and a Tar Heel bred, and when i die ill be a Tar Heel dead."

by mad_dog_maddux on Jul 9, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

It takes two teams to make a trade, man.

If nobody wants Mohammed, it doesn’t matter how bad we want to give him away.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, very true. Its that contract that scares so many away, but oh well.

"A Tar Heel Born and a Tar Heel bred, and when i die ill be a Tar Heel dead."

by mad_dog_maddux on Jul 10, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, the contract...

And the fact that he’s never been any better than an average player, and that was some time ago.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 10, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Have you watched the Rockets play much?

They do fine with Scola as the primary center, and looking at Mohammed’s career numbers, he’s hardly a sure upgrade.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t oppose this in the slightest.

Case of the beet bandit. Missing beets from all over the farm, no footprints. Inside job. Mose in socks. Boom. Case closed. -Dwight Schrute

by mjschaefer on Jul 9, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

Sorry, man, not gonna happen.

Scola is a better 5 than Mohammed (he played about 20% of his minutes there, even with Yao healthy, and both guys they’d give up are under far more reasonable contracts.

Also, the idea of being forced to bring Iverson on scares me to death. His skills are in severe decline (even though he won’t acknowledge it), and he’s hardly a good veteran mentor. Maybe Brown can keep him in control, sure, but is he the guy we want to serve as an example for our young guards?

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

I’m not saying it’s the best move for the Rockets and I agree Scola is better, but in a size obsessed league playing a 6’9" center is hardly ideal, especially for 82 games and especially in the West. Scola is going to be a RFA after this season, and would be due for a MAJOR raise, a raise the Rockets won’t even attempt to give him if they hope to roll the dice for a D Wade, Chris Bosh or Amar’e.

Nazr’s contract is overblown, but as a player he is underrated… he’s just a guy who needs more minutes to prove his worth.

by James Dator on Jul 9, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Good try, but it's not even close

This trade would be extremely lopsided in the Bobcats favor. Nazr isn’t underrated as a player – he’s finished. If Nazr could play at all, the Bobcats would not have traded for Diop, another overpaid and offensively challenged center.

Lots of teams want Battier, and the Rockets could get a much better center for him. They already turned down Dalembert and don’t appear to be interested in trading him for anyone.

Scola is also a key starter, and the Rockets will have cap space next year even after they re-sign him when McGrady’s $23 million contract expires. Cap space generated from Raja’s expiring contract would not be as valuable to the Rockets as it would be to some other teams.

Also, the Rockets received an injury exception for Yao’s contract, and they still have the MLE to sign a center. If Yao can’t return next year, they would likely receive another exception.

by ClipCat on Jul 9, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Haha...can a player be "finished..."

If he was never started? The guy always struggled to play even 20 MPG at a league-average rate.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I like the trade for the Bobcats....

…sans the Iverson part. Iverson is an extra not involved in the trade and unnecessary. Don’t want him a s a Cat. He’d only mess up chemistry

PG Felton/Augustin
SG Battier/Henderson
SF Wallace/Radmanovic/Brown(def a sf not a pf)
PF Diaw/Scola/Ajinca
C Okafor/Diop

by dudemanhey on Jul 9, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

As for Iverson...

We have to get points from somewhere. Even in decline and turmoil last season Iverson averaged more points than any Bobcat.

I know alot of any Iverson deal would have to be predicated on the notion Larry can bring him in line… but if there is anyone in the NBA who can do it, it would be LB.

A deal for Iverson scares me too, it really does, but I think we have built a team with enough high character guys that even if he goes south they’ll be uninfluenced by him. We have had enough years of ‘playing it safe’ every off season, and making the risky moves during the season. Lets take a chance on him now (provided Larry is convinced). Maybe it goes down in flames, but we’re the least improved team in the east right now. We didn’t get McDyess, it would take a miracle to land Brandon Bass and something has to change fast.

If the Cats dont win and put some asses in seats it will be a pretty grim outlook. Like it or not, A.I would sell out games in the Queen City. I know it’s not all about economy, but for the Bobcats, it would get us more national games and showcase the fanbase to other potential FAs down to road who see our fans as aenemic and uncaring.

by James Dator on Jul 9, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

It matters how Iverson scores his points

On the surface, adding Iverson’s 17.5 PPG may seem like a good addition to the Bobcats. But Iverson shot at only a .417 percentage and only .283 from 3pt range. That’s just awful, and it showed as Detroit’s winning percentage dropped rapidly upon his arrival. What you get with Iverson is Ray Felton’s shooting (.408 / .285) with a much bigger ego and spotty defense. Felton paired with Iverson would be one of the worst shooting backcourts in NBA history, and it’s safe to assume the Bobcats would repeat as the lowest scoring team in the NBA.

For comparison, Eddie House shot .445 and .444 for the Celtics. Those are the kind of percentages needed from an offensive minded 6th man. House is no star, but he was far more valuable to the Celtics than Iverson was to the Pistons last year. What the Bobcats need is an efficient scoring and rebounding PF to share time with Diaw. The best remaining realistic FA options (possibly available for the MLE) are Drew Gooden, Chris Wilcox and Brandon Bass, but it’s not clear that the Bobcats are willing to pay for any of them.

by ClipCat on Jul 9, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

It all depends on whether...

you believe A.I is done, or you are willing to give him a mulligan for last season.

Ultimately, that’s what it comes down to. When the Detroit trade was done I knew it was a bad idea putting Rip and A.I together.

In terms on MLE FAs. Gooden Would be nice, as would Wilcox… but I think there is a snowball’s chance in hell we’d land Bass without a sign and trade of some sort.

by James Dator on Jul 9, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Iverson has always purported to be a PG.

That he couldn’t lead a team to success with several All-Stars shows he just ain’t got it.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Why does something have to change fast?

Sometimes gradual changes and tweeks to the current system are called for. There is an appropriate time for rapid change, but there is a time to stand pat. The Cats don’t have the money to blow on FA’s. The roster is already playoff caliber. Let the team work and improve with out any additional roster changes. They made enough moves last season. – Now it’s time to work hard and make the CURRENT players better.

by dudemanhey on Jul 9, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

But......

by dudemanhey on Jul 9, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Iverson wouldn't sell out games any more than Felton or May once upon a time "could..."

Winning is the only thing that will sell tickets, and I just don’t think Iverson adds to that equation. And we wouldn’t get any national games for him, either. How much did you hear about him on the court last year? The only Iverson references I heard about on TV were how he got himself ran out of Denver and how he refused to play after Detroit took his starting job.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

How about this trade?

Mohammed & Bell for JJ Redick & future draft pick (or cash)

by dudemanhey on Jul 9, 2009 11:57 AM EDT reply actions

Anything to dump Mohammed’s contract is fine with me… but Redick isn’t a starter and can’t play defense which worries me. Getting a big man is a far greater concern. Which is why I think the lynchpin of any deal has to be getting a PF in return.

by James Dator on Jul 9, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

That's what the cash is for.

To free up enough money to try and sign one of the PFs available.

by dudemanhey on Jul 9, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

The Bobcats would give away Nazr and Bell for nothing if they could

But in order to dump salary, another team has to be willing to accept it. There haven’t been any takers so far. With the salary cap projected to drop dramatically next year, dumping Nazr isn’t going to get any easier.

by ClipCat on Jul 9, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Redick played fine defense at times during the playoffs...

He was pretty frequently matched up on Allen, Kobe, etc.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

That doesn't come close to working under the CBA trade rules.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

How about...

How about do the same trade but include Diop instead of Nazr. I think the rockets would be more inclined to take that trade and we still clear some cap space. I know we would rather trade Nazr but lets be serious he has no value. Hold on to him until next year and that expiring contract will be like gold.

by TonyBelk on Jul 9, 2009 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

I was thinking the same thing…

by andrewlail76 on Jul 12, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Iverson...

If that trade was to happen I wouldn’t mind the Iverson signing.

by TonyBelk on Jul 9, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions

Anyone think that there will be any sort of offer to May?

by andrewlail76 on Jul 12, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

I hope not.

Any further money spent on May will be a waste, just as all the other money already wasted on him. evn if it was the league minimum, it would still be a waste (and worse than before) b/c at this point we already know that he can’t contribute on the court.

I feel like Radmanovic is a better option at PF than May and practically every other realistic FA PF as well. There really isn’t a need to spend any more money for the Bobcats. If they’re not going to bring in a big name with a proven game, then the better option is to use the players that are already under contract.

by dudemanhey on Jul 12, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions

At this point, it wouldn't surprise me.

This organization LOVES its Tar Babies, and, sadly, May’s potential is as high as any player left in FA. Unfortunately, however, we know he’ll never reach that potential because he’d rather eat and get his swerve on than stay in decent enough shape for his joints to sustain his body weight.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 13, 2009 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with

“…May’s potential is as high as any player left in FA.”
As far as his conditioning…I am dying to know what he is weighing right now. If he maintains the reduced weight all Summer, I think he’s worth the minimum to take a look at. Summer league this year would have been great for him…if the knee is good. If not for us to consider a re-sign, for other teams to see him. Instead, he’s in Chapel Hill finishing up classes…

Maybe he knows something we don’t. I’ve read claims where he says that there are teams interested in him(I’d like to know which ones cause I haven’t seen anything)…but why would you push HARD to finish school over just getting on the court this Summer to prove you still have game…

I guess it is just tough watching the Budget Bobcats not signing a FA PF with talent.

by andrewlail76 on Jul 13, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Wait...

What reduced weight? I think he’s still losing those last “eight pounds” he’s been losing for eight years. The Suns were a team that was definitely in touch with his agent.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 13, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions