« Bobcats would be smart to keep Voskuhl | Main | Dominoes pushing Wallace back to Bobcats »
July 06, 2007
Chances of re-signing Wallace still good
Bobcats executive vice president Bernie Bickerstaff called me Friday morning, to say they continue to talk with Gerald Wallace’s agent, but nothing has yet been resolved. I know from my email that Bobcats fans are sick of hearing that. Many of you believe the longer this drags out, the worse the Bobcats’ chances of re-signing Wallace. I understand the concern, but I don’t entirely agree with your conclusion. I suspect the Bobcats were in the greatest danger of losing Wallace at the outset of free-agency nearly a week ago. That’s when the Orlando Magic still had abundant cap room, and a determination to sign a small forward. The Magic addressed that need by coming to terms with Seattle’s Rashard Lewis. Orlando’s decision eliminates one of the few suitors who could make Wallace a head-turning offer without going the sign-and-trade route. Remember: No team can acquire Wallace via sign-and-trade without the Bobcats’ cooperation. The Bobcats might never offer that cooperation to a team looking to poach Wallace. Wallace wants to be here. The Bobcats want him here. The rules allow the Bobcats to offer him more years (six) and slightly larger annual raises than any other team. In other words, I still think this will work out with Wallace re-signing with the Bobcats.
Posted by rbonnell on July 6, 2007 at 03:54 PM | Permalink
Comments
Rick...
How about some salary cap numbers? Where does the hopefully eminent signing of Wallace leave the 'Cats? Will we have enough to extend Emeka? What about addressing the hole at backup pg (Summer Leaguers only?) or better quality at the Center position? A simple statement of where the 'Cats are salary-wise would be helpful.
Posted by: BustaCat | Jul 6, 2007 4:12:56 PM
is there any chance that richardson can stay a warrior
Posted by: steveo | Jul 6, 2007 4:26:30 PM
In response to the salary cap question: The bobcats current figure is 35.3 million. This is without Carroll's salary which is a projected 4.5 million. To use a round number, lets say the 'Cats sign Wallace for 10 million (i'm hoping 9), that puts our number up to almost 50 million. That 50 million includes 11 players on our bench and BK's buyout. With the Voskhul signing (3M?) and 3 minimum players, it looks like our figure will be right around 53-55 million. I'm interested to see how much Okafor gets in an extention, I don't think he's close to a max-deal player.
Posted by: chad | Jul 6, 2007 4:34:18 PM
If you salary cap expectations are correct, how does that leave the bobcats for next years free agency which is supposed to be great?
Posted by: Local | Jul 6, 2007 5:12:24 PM
The Bobcats haven't made a dumb move yet this offseason (although $27M does seem high for Matt Carroll); hopefully they won't screw up and re-sign Voskuhl. I've said it before, I'll say it again: let that stiff walk. Sign Darko for something like three years, $21M. You can still re-sign Wallace, maybe without even going over the cap and incurring the luxury tax.
Posted by: Brock Landers | Jul 6, 2007 5:28:14 PM
How about either Darko or either MaGloire? Maybe sign BK back with a paycut or either go after Steve Blake. I feel we are just a center away from doing something big. Free agents for next year, who are they.
Posted by: Andrew McNeill | Jul 6, 2007 6:06:57 PM
You are right Brock, the BC's havent yet and I hope and pray it stays that way....
Right!, something big Andrew!!!
Posted by: Dee | Jul 6, 2007 7:03:39 PM
When you look at the salaries this year we are close to the cap. But securing Okafor would really apply to next year where we only have %20 of the cap used up. I feel wallace deserves his 8 maybe 9 and let the young guys run. The davidson dude stayed all four years in school and so did dudley and they can show some nba readiness. Matt got a great young nba contract so now just hold it down.
These guys have been together now going on three years as a core group and now it is time to produce. If not the bobcats are in a great position next year in a free agency that is monsterous.
Posted by: T-Dub | Jul 6, 2007 7:35:38 PM
The cap room is quickly disappearing. I think the folks that post comments on this blog have been clamoring for an explanation of where the Bobcats are against the salary cap. Maybe we can get one before July is out.
It will be interesting to see if Bob Johnson is willing to go over the cap -- the cap this year should be around 57 million -- in the next couple years to produce a winner.
Thank you Chad for your work.
Posted by: Steve | Jul 6, 2007 7:39:13 PM
maybe bob can talk the fellas from tasty chicken stand into playing for minimum wage. here is an idea, why don't bob move here and pay some taxes for the arena charlotte tax payers had to build for him.
Posted by: theinsider | Jul 7, 2007 12:57:23 AM
People, Jeff McGinnis is our backup point guard!
Posted by: John | Jul 7, 2007 12:58:24 AM
People, Jeff McGinnis is our backup point guard!
Posted by: John | Jul 7, 2007 12:58:45 AM
Bob Johnson does have a home here in Charlotte, you moron.
Posted by: Anony | Jul 7, 2007 1:00:53 AM
John, Jeff McInnis is HORRIBLE! How can you not know that?
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jul 7, 2007 1:59:04 AM
McGinnis is a free agent - hopefully he goes away.
Posted by: Matt | Jul 7, 2007 9:30:11 AM
Rick,
I just heard a rumor that Bob Johnson had been talking to BET executives about moving their headquarters to Charlotte. Apparently, they are looking to relocate to be near the Bobcats arena. They are saying that rap videos would be cheaper to produce in Charlotte than Washington, D.C. Have you heard this rumor?
Lameil
Posted by: Lameil Horton | Jul 7, 2007 10:48:22 AM
A handshake deal has likely been reached with Wallace. We just need to wrap up some loose ends with some other contracts before we finalize his contract. If we sign his contract first we will not be able to sign other players because Wallace is the only player where the long-term max contract exception is needed.
Posted by: Tribe | Jul 7, 2007 11:43:32 AM
A handshake deal has likely been reached with Wallace. We just need to wrap up some loose ends with some other contracts before we finalize his contract. If we sign his contract first we will not be able to sign other players because Wallace is the only player where the long-term max contract exception is needed.
Posted by: Tribe | Jul 7, 2007 11:44:37 AM
Re-signing Voskuhl or an equal back-up is important. Okafor has trouble with huge Centers and will foul out if we do not have another effective Center. Primo is no longer effective. Unfortunately he still has one year left on his contract.
Bringing BET to Charlotte would be a big plus.
Posted by: Tribe | Jul 7, 2007 11:48:10 AM
The Bobcats need to go after Darko. He might want more than he is worth but we have the money. We can sign him to a 3-year deal for somewhere between 21 and 27 million. We can also re-sign Voskuhl for a small contract. Then we can re-sign Wallace under the Larry Bird exception for any amount, and it doesn't matter if we go over cap. Same with Okafor's extension. As long as we can come to agreement with Wallace and then make our moves, we will be set.
Posted by: CBuck | Jul 7, 2007 2:45:18 PM
Lameil, does Bob even own a controlling investment in BET anymore? I hate everyone that post messages on this board. I'll see you in the stands when the Bobcats make the playoffs this season.
Posted by: Nelly | Jul 7, 2007 5:03:22 PM
Money is one color "Green" for all the prejudice comments it doesnt make sense. So what if BET to goes to charlotte, and for the idiot music video are mostly produced in the town the artist are from. And besides recent years have been white producers developing them. More videos would be more exposure for charlotte. Why does a group of black people have to be reffered to as gangsta's.
And keep on the subject, wallace, slide him a 6 year $8 mil. And if he hesistates snatch it back. We can find another player to fall in love with. AA is that player, he is a team first player. He never gets passed the ball but is involved in every play when in the game. He knows how to feed the post and feed the hott hand. But maybe a good summer league will be his opportunity to showcase that. But I guess being an asshole in the NBA is a more respectible image to have, because it gets you more money.
I tell him to think about himself all the time but he says that is not how he plays, it is the team first. And look what that gets him 1 year contracts and fans that hate on his limited minutes.
Basically sign wallace and give AA more time.
Holla!
Posted by: T-Dub | Jul 7, 2007 5:06:09 PM
Only thugs I saw uptown Charlotte on the 4th were wearing CPD uniforms.
Darko would be great as long as we still get Wallace.
McInnis has been crap for about five years now-- he's a free agent and won't be resigned. Keep an eye on Bobby Brown on our summer league roster. He went undrafted this year but is lightning quick with nice handles and a nice shot. K.Burleson is also on the roster and would be a sufficient and cheap backup to Ray-Ray.
By the way, in case folks didn't know, all the summer league games (starting 7/9) can be seen through a live feed. Just go to the Magic's team site at NBA.com
Posted by: BustaCat | Jul 7, 2007 5:19:10 PM
if bob has a home here why does he never go to the bobjohnsoncat games or be seen out and about. talk about a ego he had to name this team after him BOBcats get it? what a joke for a man. He sold Black Every Time a while back. i am sure he would love to make some black videos however. he is all about supporting the minority community. he should refund all the tax dollars back to the white people who were forced to pay them. he only supports blacks so i think that would make him a racist? MJ is just his puppet boy to try and soften people's attitude toward this team. mj wasn't successful with the wizards or his previous wife, so what makes him think he can drop in to nc every once in a while and get some love. move the bobbiecats to vegas, then jordan can bet on them. why is everyone ashamed to have their name put on charlotte coliseum #3? Maybe BET (Black Every Time) can sign a deal to have their name on the building. that would save money in video production, they could make videos during the games next year. this entire organization is a clueless lost cause....
Posted by: theinsider | Jul 7, 2007 9:26:28 PM
Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black (with racist undertones) there "insider".
Posted by: BustaCat | Jul 7, 2007 11:43:40 PM
Post a comment
Advertisements
