Bonnell: Chandler not opting out

The mega-free agent class being set loose Thursday will not include Charlotte Bobcats center Tyson Chandler.

almost 2 years ago David A. Arnott 25 comments 0 recs |

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This means 1 of 2 thi ngs...

1)He is healthy and will try to play out of his mind this season…in hopes of showcasing that he is not an injury prone bum that has already seen his best years…

2)He is a washed up bum past his best years and he’s seeing this last $12.* mil as his last big check…

Everyone pick a side

by andrewlail76 on Jun 30, 2010 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

I'm hoping for #1

by andrewlail76 on Jun 30, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I pick #2

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at Real Bits of Panthers

by James Dator on Jun 30, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

UNO!

by Newsinz on Jun 30, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd be shocked if #1 were true, more than likely #2.

We’re not even sure if we have a Starting PG yet to make Chandler look good….

by Aisander D on Jun 30, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely 2

I’m holding a “pray we can trade him” meeting. Let me know what days work for you.
Optional “let’s just shoot him instead” meeting if demand warrants it.

by Ourdaywillcome on Jun 30, 2010 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

i second both of these motions

--(insert quote, lyric, or joke here)

by StudMuffin15 on Jun 30, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

He will opt out if the price is right.

He may be more valuable to the Bobcats as trade material, so the Bobcats haven’t offered 4 years at 6.3 million a year. This may still happen. He is just not opting out today. Tyson wants more than 6.3.

by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Jun 30, 2010 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

Isn't it funny how disappointing players can be throughout the whole year,

and then when it comes down to free agency, they start looking at you like you’re the one that needs to pay up. Like, I really don’t see how Raymond Felton can feel good about himself “demanding” anything. Now they saying he has strong interest in the Heat. Smh. Get Felton the hell out of here. He should be dying to come back to avenge himself at a reasonable salary. Instead, I think Raymond will leave for a better contract, and then end up on about 5 or 6 teams before he retires.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Jul 1, 2010 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Absotively posolutely!

I’m deeply disappointed in Felton. He flourished under Brown like never before in his career and looked to be on the verge of taking it to the next level. Four playoff games later and there are question marks all over him. He’s being told by his agent that he’s the best PG available this season if the leaves the Cats. Fair enough. It’s also a weak group to be at the top of. Staying in Charlotte means another year of tutellage under LB and that’s worth a whole lot more than money to someone wanting to better themselves as a player. So he goes for the coin instead. He might make a few extra bucks, but he’s going to be devoured by the local media in Miami (or whatever town he lands in) the moment he starts trying to charge the paint in the late minutes. After his post-season performance against Orlando, guards all over the league are looking to tee up on him. It’ll only be worse if he gets megabucks based on expectations he can’t possibly live up to.

This was a terrible career decision by Felton. It was pretty clear MJ wanted him but wouldn’t pay stupid money to keep him. Once Ray dug in his heels he became expendable. How smart can his agent really be? Did he really think that given the option to keep either Tyrus Thomas OR Raymond Felton that the Front Office would even hesitate? Dumb, dumb, dumb

I wish you luck Mr. Felton. You’re sure gonna need it. Pack a rabbit’s foot. Hell, take the whole damned rabbit.

by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 1, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I can't believe people are turning their backs on Raymond just because he's going for the money.

Yea he’s got a lot of flaws and the Bobs shouldn’t over pay him, but if he can get paid in Miami then why not? You think he’s charging the lane in the late minutes when Wade is in the game? There’s a good chance Bosh, Amare, or Boozers ends up down in Miama. What do you think having a post player with actual offensive skill will do for Felton? What will playing alongside Wade do for Felton?

You’re mad at him for making a feew extra dollars, and expanding his horizons? Give me a break.

Let Raymond walk, but no need for the sorry attitude. Wish him well and be glad we didn’t over pay for him.

by and1droid on Jul 1, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I still like Ray and want to keep him.

Dudes’ got heart

by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Jul 1, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess if you got room in your basement you can keep him for as long as you want

by andrewlail76 on Jul 1, 2010 8:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

No I'm not mad at him and it's not because he's making a few extra dollars.

His wisest move was staying in Charlotte.
1. He remains under LB’s instruction. After several lackluster years Felton really came into his own last season and much of it was because he drank the LB Koolaid. His best chance to maximize himself as an athlete comes from continuing that process IMO.

2. He remains a local hero. You can say Felton won’t drive the lane playing with reliable bigs or someone like Wade, but I don’t buy it. He has wanted to be the “go-to” guy since college and that tendency isn’t going to go away. What will playing alongside Wade do for Felton? It’ll get him chewed out in the media and by Wade himself each time he makes poor choices on the court. Here in Charlotte he won over some very difficult fans and writers. There will be expectations placed on his shoulders in almost any other city he goes to and the people and pundits won’t be nearly as forgiving there as they’ve been here.

3. By expressing a willingness to play for small money in his first year, he would have likely stood to get compensated handsomely once the cap money opened up in the next 2-3 seasons with the Cats.

4. Here in Charlotte he was a big fish in a small pond. How much positive court time is he going to get playing with the Wades and Stoudemires and Boshes? His job is going to become “feed the ball to the star” and every single shot he takes is going to be compared to what the result would have been if he had chosen to dish to the spotlight player instead.

I said I was deeply disappointed in Felton’s decision. That’s very different from being mad at him. He’s bought a bill of goods from an agent that cares more about commissions than clients. Note that it was his AGENT I referred to as dumb. If Raymond Felton had been reasonable he would have had a solid career in Charlotte. I do indeed wish him well. But the odds are good (again IMO) that he’s going to be worse off with any of the clubs that are allegedly talking to him than he would have been standing pat. Money should not be the first consideration for a pro athlete. Becoming the best player possible, gaining fame and respect, and going for a title should come ahead of money in almost all cases. Look at the players guaranteed max money. They are shopping for the best opportunity to win a ring. It’s Lebron AND Bosh’s priority one. I haven’t turned my back on Raymond Felton. I feel like he’s turned his back on himself at his agent’s urging.

by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 1, 2010 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions

-1

I just don’t see Raymond as being a guy who gets worse playing next to stars. In fact, I don’t see what basis you have for saying half this stuff.

In college, Ray played next to the biggest ego in college basketball and the an all american big. He knows how to play w/ big time players.

I think you’re taking what you want to see in a basketball player (small town hero willing to take less money for the love of the fans) and projecting it onto what’s best for Ray.

This Miami thing is all hypothetical at this point, but let’s say it happens. He plays next to a indisputable super star for the first time in his nba career. There’s a great chance he plays next to two. He has to shoulder less decision making and scoring responsibility. So what happens? He shines doing what he does best. He’s a complimentary guy. He hustles, plays solid/above average D. He can get to the lane and score at times, can make a good pass. He’s a good ball handler, and he won’t have to over dribble w/ so many option on offense.

I can’t see how more money on a better team (the hypothetical Miami scenario) is a bad move for his career. It may be a little less “small town, blue collar, good ol’ american” in your book, but why should Felton care about that?

by and1droid on Jul 1, 2010 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

You see it differently than I.

I have zero problem with that. I don’t feel I’m projecting anything on Felton and as I often say, your mileage varies.

Time will tell and I’m all for agreeing to disagree and revisiting this once the variables have been decided and we can see how it all plays out. You are right when you say it’s just hypotheticals right now.

My recent posts do reflect a lot of how I wish things were in contrast to the way things presently are in pro hoops. My personal investment in the sport is just as valid as anyone elses. I’m not alone in my opinions nor is there a shortage of people who feel I’m overly optimistic and positive. But I do feel you’re mistakenly labelling my viewpoint as a “sorry attitude” and maybe it’s misinterpretation on my part but I’m feeling a fair bit of condescension coming from you. Did I run over your dog or something?

by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 1, 2010 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

It's nothing personal to you ourday...

It’s more the ideas that I’m tired of hearing. LB is a great coach who can help Felton, but he’s not going to regress to a middle schooler just because he jumps to another team (especially if he’s playing next to better players).

You mentioned money plenty in that first post that I responded too. You can say you’re not mad at Felton for going after extra money, but I have a hard time believing it after what you originally said. If that’s what you believe, fine, I’m just saying that I disagree.

Also, that back loaded contract that ends up paying Felton 12 mil is crazy. He’s not worth that. There’s no reason to expect he will be worth that in 4 years. Just because I respect that everyone in life has a right to make what money people will give them doesn’t mean I want the Bobcats to overpay a home team sweet heart just to keep him in town. Look at what happened to Okafor.

by and1droid on Jul 2, 2010 6:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Sign and trade?

by andrewlail76 on Jul 2, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Forget he ever existed?

by Aisander D on Jul 2, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds good

by andrewlail76 on Jul 2, 2010 7:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

+1

I tend to agree…
When you are among equals and you take the ball in your hands to be the hero…or the goat…then it is seen as…thank God someone stepped up. When you decide to be the hero or the goat on a team of all stars…say, for example, if Felton went to Miami and Wade and Bosh are both there…
Felton is supposed to be the 3rd option.
Might he improve among stars…perhaps
Might he thrive in a system other than LBs…perhaps
Will he be making more money next season…absolutely

As for him taking less money, and sticking with the team…I don’t exactly think that is what OurDay was getting at. I believe it was more of…hang with us, and we could give you a graduated contract. Say…for example:

Ray, we can give you $6.2 this year, $8.2 next year, $10.2 next year, and $12.4 the 4th and last year on your contract. Also there will be a tie in bonus…
Average Double figure assists – $500K
Free Throw Percentage 85% or better for the season – $250K
Field Goal Percentage 50% or better – $500K
All Star Appearance – $500K
All Defensive Team – $500K
That would be a pretty attractive contract averaging out to $9.25 per year with a chance to really pad that number by stepping up is game.
He knows Charlotte is strapped for cash
He knows we can offer but so much
If this is REALLY where he wants to be…why wouldn’t he take a deal like that? Could the Front office not create a contract like that? – That is…if they even want him to stay.

I mean last year he wouldn’t take $6mil with the agent he had and this year he has a new agent…
This year, there’s a bunch of cash flying around. Bottom line becomes…we can ginve you an average salary of $9.25 per plus bonuses…or you can go elsewhere and take a chance. The Bobcats are doing what a cash strapped team can do to keep its players.

If he were to stick…and Chandler and Mohhamed come off of the books next year…
What is available next year to pick up?
You’re going to have Hendo, Brown, and Ajinca all steppig up this year and into next. The team is young, athletic and VERY promising for next year

Think about it
Hendo
Brown
Ajinca
Tyrus
DJ
There are 5 guys that are young and FULL of potential.
Sprinkle in 2 All Stars in Jax and Crash…
Would you leave?
I see a team with a “Ridiculous Upside”

Then again…look at my profile pic…looks like I’m no longer negative….

by andrewlail76 on Jul 1, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks!

In fact, the graduated contract you outlined is something I mentioned some time ago. A rather light salary with realistic but challenging incentive bonuses and hefty bumps in successive years as the the cap space opened up. In fairness, it may be that the Bobcats Brass decided not to attemp to keep Felton at any price and didn’t make any effort at all to resign. Or it could be that his new agent just laughed off any contract overtures.

Nonetheless, Felton has the final word – at least where his agent is concerned.

by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 2, 2010 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm stoked.

This means a few things to me.

1) It’s a contract year, and everyone knows how much better players play in contract years.

2) It’s a contract year and everyone knows how much more we get out of a big fat bloated expiring contract. Boosh and/or KAKOW!

"Love it or leave it USA #1!"-Ricky Stanzi Iowa QB and Patriot
"Smokey this is not 'Nam this is bowling. There are rules!"-Walter Sobchek

by HAWKEYESBABY on Jul 1, 2010 8:16 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, it's a win-win situation either way for us.

I’d still rather trade him as I think his offensive liabilities will only tick me off even more over time, but him not opting out is a good sign of us not being left with nothing. No contract to trade or no starting center. Looking over the NBA, it’s easy to say that Chandler is a starting center. But I want a championship center. And if not that, someone who I know is good for at least 10 a night.

by Charlotte Bobcat on Jul 1, 2010 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

It's good news for a lot of reasons.

Not the least of which is that it will limit the amount of time Diop spends on the court. It also gives us the luxury of putting our looming problem at the 5 on the back burner and use Chandler to fix our MAJOR need at Power Forward.

I think the Cats should showcase the hell out of Chandler in the early season – especially against weaker teams. It’s like putting something in the display window at a store. Even a bag of turds will sell if enough people see it and are convinced it’s a bag of turds they might just need.

by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 1, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions