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June 29, 2007
Jordan, Bobcats were bold on draft night
The Charlotte Bobcats did something Thursday that I thought was out of their persona. They were bold. The easy thing would have been keeping North Carolina forward Brandan Wright. He’s an athletic tease with Tar Heel ties and so full of potential that you could forever portray him as a worthy risk. Instead, the Bobcats took a real risk that I believe will pay off: They traded for a contract that could cost them $51 million to acquire Jason Richardson. Amen. Richardson might not be an All-Star, but he’s just what the Bobcats weren’t. He can score 20 points a night in the Western Conference (you know, the varsity to the East’s J.V.) and shoot 47 percent from the field. Whatever a "go-to guy’’ is, Richardson qualifies. He’ll make the Bobcats interesting next season under certain conditions. Here are those conditions: That they re-sign Gerald Wallace and Matt Carroll. Failing to do that means the Bobcats got nothing from expansion, and I don’t think they want that. An important aside about what transpired Thursday. Jordan said long ago not to assume that free-agency was the only way to use cap room. He kept reminding people that trades might be at least as productive as pursuing free agents off other rosters. He nailed it with this move. Assuming he follows it up by retaining talent, he deserves our respect and an open mind to the future. TWO UNRELATED TOPICS: Having said that, I can see why the Bobcats bought out the final $4.2 million season on his contract Friday. Brevin broke down a lot physically, and there are cheaper options as a backup to Raymond Felton.
Posted by rbonnell on June 29, 2007 at 02:30 PM | Permalink
Comments
I agree that the Eastern conference is JV compared to the West, so who knows what Richardson will do with the Bobcats. Maybe he will go back to scoring 23 per game like he did two years ago, if so, it was worthwhile.
But Richardson has never shot above .446% from the floor (average for a two-guard) and has a career average of .433%. He was relagated to 16.0 points per game -- and was the Warriors third option -- in an injury plagued season last year.
What impact does the trade of the $10 million trade exception to the Warriors have?
Posted by: Bruce | Jun 29, 2007 3:02:20 PM
By signing Jason Richardson who is going to make about $10.0 million a year, they can now sign Gerald Wallace to a competitive contract also. If they’d tried to get a bigger name veteran, like Rashard Lewis or Vince Carter, they would have had to pay more. Also, realistically, those players don’t want to come here. This was the best move the Bobcats could have made. They got the veteran star player the team needs, and the type the fans want, plus they more than likely will now resign Gerald Wallace. And as good as Brandon Wright may be at some point in the future, the last thing the Bobcats need now is another project. The future is now for the Bobcats, the fans and the team are tired of waiting.
Posted by: Good Move Bobcats | Jun 29, 2007 3:21:25 PM
Bruce--
I'm not sure if the $10 million trade exemption is something that the 'Cats included in the trade. I think it may just be something that teams are given if they trade a signed player for a draft pick. Check out the wording in this article from the San Jose Mercury News...
"By dealing Richardson for a draft pick, the Warriors netted a trade exception of more than $10 million that they can use for up to one year to acquire more players."
http://www.mercurynews.com/warriors/ci_6260097
If I'm gathering the correct implication out of this, it just means that they can absorb $10 million more in salary, through a trade, without having to pay the luxury tax.
Thought?
Posted by: BustaCat | Jun 29, 2007 3:38:26 PM
Busta, I'm pretty sure you are right. We did not give them a tradeable credit like a mid-level exception. My take on the trade:
Long term, Brandan Wright may well be a better player at his peak than Jason Richardson. But over the course of their current contracts (4 years), I am willing to bet almost anything that it is Richardson who will be the most valuable NBA player. Without a single roster addition, the Bobcats were ready to compete for the playoffs. With an established veteran (or a rook who could have contributed this year), the Bobcats are ready to compete for homecourt advantage in the first round. BW was not that guy. What the Bobcats have always lacked has been a go-to scorer who can create his own shot...Richardson is that guy. Furthermore, who's to say that Wright would have even stuck around for his second contract in Charlotte for the time in which he might actually be fulfilling all that "potential"? I certainly won't be one to defend MJ's term as a GM with the Wizards, and the Adam Morrison pick sure doesn't look great, but it's early yet, and it wouldn't shock me if this trade works out for both sides given the current state of affairs with each team.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jun 29, 2007 3:49:11 PM
Ok, so I'm still on a high resulting from constantly fabricated stories on the sports "news" websites, but the draft is over and the Bobcats are in the biggest off-season of their brief existence.
Trailblazers officials reported that they are working out a deal that they can't comment on until they wrap up their swap with the Knicks. I think they confirmed that the deal was going to bring in a small forward. Anyone think that could possibly be Adam Morrison?
The Bobcats just cut Brevin Knight. Woud Portland have a reserve point guard to deal?
Posted by: Big Q | Jun 29, 2007 4:40:27 PM
Yeah Bonell, I remember Kareem Rush. He was waived because of the breakout prefomance Alan Anderson had. Carroll is cool but he is not what you hype him to be. he is one dimensional. I like him but he is only a open spot up shooter. The Anderson kid is part of the reason they are making these moves. Checking the background on players, you would know A Squared (that's AA for the idiots) played a 6-6 PG for two years at Mich St. under Tom Izzo. What a resume.
Open your eyes with this promo I produced!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVBS9SaPksY
Plus Bonell never responded to any of my questions in the so called live chat.
Posted by: T-Dub | Jun 29, 2007 4:44:22 PM
disclaimer, T-Dub is AA's brother...
Backup to a backup is probably AA's future role.
I love the trade, just interested to see what else might happen.
Posted by: Bonnell=Greatest Reporter Ever! | Jun 29, 2007 5:23:38 PM
T-Dub is just dangling off his brother's balls.
Rick - thoughts on the Billups rumors now that Knight is gone???
Posted by: I LOVE BONNELL | Jun 29, 2007 5:35:31 PM
Rick, if you paid attention I gave that disclaimer to everyone already. I have faith in a good player that happens to be my brother. Don't be mad cause you don't have one, a don't look like you could play ball either. I think ex-players (real players) make better sports writers anyways.
Plus Bonell won't talk about Alan so I will. Plus I will put his 30 min documentary I produced in festivals showcasing the drive to fulfill his dream even without the media's help. Different from Rick, I respond when someone questions me.
And mostly I want to change the subject from the KKK s**t you had written on these blogs RICK!
Holla Again!
Posted by: T-Dub | Jun 29, 2007 9:10:50 PM
Well said Rick...totally agree.
Posted by: spectre | Jun 29, 2007 9:26:54 PM
I don't appreciate all the Charlotte media and fans expecting to see, meet or interview Michael Jordan. You do not give him the respect that you would give owner Jerry Buss in LA. You should respect our phantom owners and not try to talk to them. Where is the respect? Please understand that they are OWNERS....leave the brain trust alone and don't try to talk to them. We have private lives, so please show us the respect that other NBA owners have. Don't second guess Michael or talk to him....please understand he is an OWNER. Thank you. And, by the way, can we get some more publicity from the Observer? Bonnell, you never give us any good press!
Posted by: Bernie B. | Jun 29, 2007 11:46:59 PM
No one is talking about it, but the key to this trade is.... Sean May. If May comes to camp in decent shape and stays healthy, this move turns to gold. May put up 13 and 6 in the 30-some games that he played. If he can only reproduce that for 60 games the Bobcats should make the playoffs.
But to those fans who were concerned about Brandon Wright's weight had he stayed in Charlotte, it wouldn't have been an issue. All he would have had to do is hang with Sean May during the offseason and he would have came to camp at about 240.
Posted by: Sgait | Jun 30, 2007 12:09:11 AM
Come on, this is a dumb trade. Brandon Wright will not take long to become the next Rasheed Wallace. They could have traded the #22 pick (Dudley) for Richardson. Go out and get Kobe or KG if you want to make the playoffs. Jordan is just as bad a decision maker as Isiah Thomas in N.Y. Couldn't the Bobcats see a pattern in Washington? Jordan should just try and get every former TarHeel and see how that works, Felton PG, Carter SF, R. Wallace F-C, Jamison PF, Stackhouse, May, B. Wright, Shammond Williams, Mccants, Noel, Terry, M. Williams, Haywood, Mcinnis and let Dean Smith come out of retirement and coach
Posted by: Dave | Jun 30, 2007 2:36:56 AM
We traded the #8 pick for a guaranteed 18 Pt/5 Reb per night and a proven clutch player. There’s NO WAY this is a bad trade. Anyone that stays up late to watch the West Coast games knows that Jason Richardson is a top 10 shooting guard in the NBA. And, the Bobcats have him under contract for the prime of his career. His athleticism is much needed on a Bobcats team that, with the exception of Wallace and Okafur, sometimes seems a step slow. This also takes the spotlight off of Morrison (in 2 –3 years everyone will see why he was drafted so high, I guarantee it). Assuming no ridiculous injuries, I believe the Bobcats make it to the playoffs and may even get to the 2nd round.
On a side note, I just moved to Charlotte from DC a year ago and am amazed at the negativity surrounding this team. This team has been building the right way and, unlike some losing teams, plays hard every night. It’s almost like the fans expect a playoff team immediately. As a Bullets/Wizards fan, I know that these types of things take time. Based on the Richardson trade, the Bobcats appear to be willing to spend $ to build a winner. That was the big question that I was initially worried about for the team. The other big question is whether they can retain free agents. Whether G-Wallace stays or goes will say a lot about the quality of this team behind the scenes, since he's been here since the beginning (assuming the Bobcats don't lowball him, of course).
Posted by: Ripster | Jun 30, 2007 7:14:33 AM
We traded the #8 pick for a guaranteed 18 Pt/5 Reb per night and a proven clutch player. There’s NO WAY this is a bad trade. Anyone that stays up late to watch the West Coast games knows that Jason Richardson is a top 10 shooting guard in the NBA. And, the Bobcats have him under contract for the prime of his career. His athleticism is much needed on a Bobcats team that, with the exception of Wallace and Okafur, sometimes seems a step slow. This also takes the spotlight off of Morrison (in 2 –3 years everyone will see why he was drafted so high, I guarantee it). Assuming no ridiculous injuries, I believe the Bobcats make it to the playoffs and may even get to the 2nd round.
On a side note, I just moved to Charlotte from DC a year ago and am amazed at the negativity surrounding this team. This team has been building the right way and, unlike some losing teams, plays hard every night. It’s almost like the fans expect a playoff team immediately. As a Bullets/Wizards fan, I know that these types of things take time. Based on the Richardson trade, the Bobcats appear to be willing to spend $ to build a winner. That was the big question that I was initially worried about for the team. The other big question is whether they can retain free agents. Whether G-Wallace stays or goes will say a lot about the quality of this team behind the scenes, since he's been here since the beginning (assuming the Bobcats don't lowball him, of course).
Posted by: Ripster | Jun 30, 2007 7:20:54 AM
Another positive from the trade is that it gives Wallace another reason to stay in Charlotte. All good players definitely think about the playoff chances of teams when deciding whether they will re-sign or not. I think Wallace plays better as the 2nd option instead of the first, and the trade will allow him to be that. And, from a team perspective, not having to carry the scoring load allows him to expend more energy on defense (where he is sorely needed).
Posted by: Ripster | Jun 30, 2007 7:30:49 AM
Ripster,
Welcome to Charlotte...we wish our owners would move here like you did. They are, of couse, too important to actually live here full time.
Because the Bobcats have not endeared themselves to locals, I sense they are looking to appeal to the "transplant" population. So, if enough people like you move here from Detroit, NY, Syracuse, Buffalo, Chicago and DC, we should have the Bobcats Arena rocking in just a few years down the road.
Rufolpho from Juarez
Posted by: Rudolpho Mulligan | Jun 30, 2007 9:06:43 AM
Ripster
Posted by: DR | Jun 30, 2007 10:28:22 AM
"Brandon Wright will not take long to become the next Rasheed Wallace."
It's Brandan Wright, not "Brandon," and he is a loooonnnnnng way from being the next Rasheed. For one thing, Rasheed is a legit 3-point threat, while Brandan can't score outside five feet.
"They could have traded the #22 pick (Dudley) for Richardson."
No, they couldn't have. That's just stupid.
"Go out and get Kobe or KG if you want to make the playoffs"
Neither Kobe nor KG will ever, ever, EVER play for a fourth-year expansion team in a small market. Pull your head out of your ass.
Posted by: Brock Landers | Jun 30, 2007 11:45:24 AM
I think that this was an incredible trade on the part of the Bobcats. With it, the Cats get a proven scorer, and not a project(read: Brandon Wright). The Cats still have the money to resign Gerald Wallace for more money than he could get from any other team under the Larry Bird rule. Adam Morrison does not have to deal with the pressure of people believing that he is the go-to option of the present. He may be in the future, but now he gets a chance to get healthy, and work on his game.
By this move, it shows that Michael Jordan's letter was no mere bluster. The move shows that they're willing to spend the money to get better, and are no longer content with building this team entirely through the draft.
The time is now for the Bobcats.
Posted by: Caleb | Jun 30, 2007 11:57:10 AM
I don't think Jordan knows what he's doing at GM. He didn't do a good job in DC and he's half-stepping it here in Charlotte. If he put in a quarter of the effort he put into playing the game, into being a GM he'd be pretty good. But I doubt he will.
Posted by: Herbie Nichols | Jun 30, 2007 12:18:09 PM
Right now, I'm in a wait and see mode about this trade. I do have a feeling that, barring injuries, that the Bobcats will make it to the playoffs. I like the fact that the wallets are starting to open up a bit and the owners are taking some risks now. I'm willing to be patient with Morrison. As far as May goes, this is a do or die year. I just hope the Bobcats get Gerald Wallace re-signed.
Posted by: Steve | Jun 30, 2007 12:30:29 PM
I like the idea of sending Morrison back home to the pacific northwest (best wishes) and trying to land Joel Pryzbilla and Sergio Rodriguez from the Blazers. This lifts a salary burden from the end of Portlands bench and gives them someone to play at the three while addressing the two last holes on the Bobcats roster-- defense and rebounding at the center spot and a backup point.
I know some will say that it's too early to deal Morrison. Well, one more season like last and it will be too late. And he's not going to get the pt in Charlotte that he needs to develop. At this point he is behind both Wallace and Herrman at the three.
The Bobcats have gone from having too few options at the two and three to too many. Morrison is an attractive asset at this point because of potential, and also because he has TEAM options on his contract for the next TWO offseasons-- if he doesn't pan out, cut him. The additions of Pryzbilla and Rodriguez would make the 'Cats double deep at every position and allow us to let Brezec, Voskuhl and OHarrington go during next years' free agent summer.
Posted by: BustaCat | Jun 30, 2007 12:35:00 PM
If you'll remember Brock, Rasheed Wallace had no 3 pt range when he got to the nba and is a lifetime 33% 3 pt shooter.
Posted by: Dave | Jun 30, 2007 2:44:31 PM
It's amazing how so many people hate on Michael Jordan's stay in Washington.When Jordan took over there they were in a terrible state.He freed them of all those overpaid players(Howard,Strickland,murray,richmondect.ect).Gave the team much needed cap room and turned the team into what it is today.A solid playoff team and if you dispute that you have to be blinded by hate.Please dont scream about drafting Kwame Brown was such a terrible move like he passed up on Tim Duncan or someone.There was no player in the draft worth the number one pick.Also understand the Kwame Brown was able to bring the Wizards Caron Butler.So do the math even a Michael Jordan minus was a plus for the wizards.
I heard the black Jim Rome talk loudly and ignorantly draft night about the Bobcats draft.I'm always perplexed at how all the players in the draft are superstars but in reality only a couple will be superstars and the busts will be twice as many as the good or even solid players.So getting J Rich who will have a great year with the Bobcats and please dont for get Jermareo Davidson.Dont believe he was just an add on he blew the Bobcats away in his predraft workout.Plus Jared Dudley who has the heart of a lion and the will to get better and better.Resign Wallace and the Bobcats will be headed to the playoffs and a bright future.I just hope for for Jordan's sake there isn't an dishonest Abe watching his back with a knife behind his own!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Action | Jun 30, 2007 3:53:50 PM
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