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June 10, 2008
Don't expect Bobcats to pull off blockbuster draft-night deal
Some of you have checked with me, wondering how the Charlotte Bobcats could lack huge salary-cap room this summer. Some things to consider:
- When Emeka Okafor becomes a restricted free agent July 1, he’ll temporarily count for $16.2 million against the Bobcats’ salary cap (although temporary could include the summer and beyond). The Bobcats don’t actually owe him that money; it’s called a cap "hold’’ – a roadblock of sorts – and it’s that large because Okafor was the second overall pick in 2004.
Those holds are designed to keep teams from making under-the-table deals with their own free agents, sign free agents off other rosters, then formalize the deals with their own players. (You might recall the Miami Heat’s failed attempt way back when to sign Juwan Howard and simultaneously retain Alonzo Mourning.)
That hold would stay on the Bobcats’ cap until (1.) Okafor signs a new contract, (2.) Okafor signs a one-year qualifying offer (making him an unrestricted free agent in July 2009) or (3.) the Bobcats renounce his rights (which obviously won’t happen.)
- The Bobcats sacrificed some cap room when they traded two expiring contracts (Walter Herrmann and Primoz Brezec) to Detroit, in return for a long-term commitment to center Nazr Mohammed. Mohammed counts $6.05 million against next season’s cap and has two guaranteed seasons beyond that.
- Whoever the Bobcats draft with the ninth overall pick this month will count about $2.14 million against next season’s cap, under the NBA’s first-round pay scale.
Can the Bobcats still do some things? Sure. But it would be far more difficult this summer to pull off that draft-night deal that essentially swapped the eighth pick and massive cap room to Golden State for Jason Richardson.
Posted by rbonnell on June 10, 2008 at 07:06 PM | Permalink
Comments
Nice going Bonnell, you idiot! Take away any hope we have of getting any better for the next couple of years. WHy dont you write for the obituary column, your writing style is morbid
Posted by: Frankie Bob | Jun 10, 2008 7:36:48 PM
Frankie, it's not Rick's job to sugarcoat everything about the Bobcats. If you want that, just head to bobcats.com
Rick is a sports reporter, and this is a blog.
Rick, I keep seeing Lopez as the Bobcats pick, what are your thoughts on who you think the Bobcats will pick? I've also heard Love, Randolph, or Jordan.
Posted by: real bobcat fan | Jun 10, 2008 8:06:49 PM
Bobcats.com doesn't sugar coat everything. I think they do a nice job of covering the team - esp some of the additional sections like the blog squad and special feature sections. The new website has a lot of video, which is nice too.
That being said it is Bonnell's job to be objective. And frankly I think this is one of his better blogs. It reports info, such as the cap hold with Okafor, that maybe many fans don't know.
Posted by: summer cap | Jun 11, 2008 1:58:31 AM
Frankie, you are the idiot.
Posted by: mcap | Jun 11, 2008 8:33:41 AM
I didn't have a chance to respond to T-dub yesterday but I just started blogging on here a couple of months ago, years after Brevin was gone so I don't know how I could have ever supported keeping Brevin. Also, for a PG to grow and develop, they need to play strictly the PG position, whether in a starting or a backup role. Worst thing we did was move Felton around.
I would love Randolph but I think he will be gone by the time we pick. Yes Procton, even though you have critized him numerous times, Randolph looks to be going in the 5-7 range.
If Lopez slips and we take him at 9, I am worried about what our team will look like. Hopefully Okafur will prove he can guard an Eastern Conference 4. Not sure how successful this will be but lets say he does it well. Then comes the question about offense. You will be starting 4 players without a reliabe jump shot and Richardson (Felton will be the 2nd best shooter in the lineup despite what you say about percentages b/c Wallace can't shoot to save his life). You will have two post players that prefer to play around 4-8 feet from the basket neither of which is a very good pick-n-roll or pick-n-pop type of player. Hopefully Okafur is working on his 12 foot jump shot this off-season.
Honestly, if Lopez slips and we take him. I could see us not giving Okafur the huge deal he wants and using that money to go after a more athletic 4 w/ an outside game next offseason to pair w/ Lopez.
Posted by: Mason | Jun 11, 2008 9:28:34 AM
what are your thoughts on Javale Magee, Donte Green or Robert Dozier in the first round and Joey Dorsey in the second. Personally I think these are strong picks.
Posted by: Sean Knight | Jun 11, 2008 9:31:04 AM
I don't think trading the number 9 pick would be wise unless it yielded us someone who is going to be here for a while and is young and fills a need. In general, we need to avoid morgatging the future looking for quick fixes.
I agree on all of your points Mason. And I too am someone who began posting during last year who T-Dub claims was posting a while back. It helped "support" his argument, but it's not legit.
I agree especially on the Lopez thing. If it is about getting HEIGHT, then trading down and looking at Kousta Koufas (sp) from OSU would make more sense, IMO. He would be a 7 footer, but would be able to step away from the basket. The same reason I don't see Jordan as an Okafor compliment, I don't see Lopez, despite Lopez being more skilled. Another guy in the lane who doesn't space the floor just doesn't make sense for this team right now unless they are planning to not sign Okafor back, which I would not agree with unless he were asking for too much money.
Posted by: jperry | Jun 11, 2008 9:36:44 AM
Guys we need to do everything we can to get Lopez!!! He is the only Lottery big man we can get that is going to produce for us. He can run the pick and roll and pick and pop. Okafor can run the Pick and Roll we just would need a PG that would look more at passing off the PnR then just driving to the basket. Driving to the basket would be alright if Felton was taller, but his height is hard to overlook when driving to the lane on PnR's. I have pleading to trade Wallace and the 9 to the timberwolves for the 3rd and a future 2nd round pick. This will take a big salary off of us for a player that doesn't fit, but was signed in fear to what the city would do if not resigned. This also gives us Lopez for sure, unless something really weird happens that drops Rose or Beasley to the 3rd which I could never see happening. If we can't get Lopez then I would trade down in the draft and take Hibbert. He is a 7 footer that would help Okafor downlow on defense, while taking the off-season to develop Okafor's jumpshot from 10-15 feet and help improve his foot speed to be able to guard other 4's. One way or another I would trade the 9 because I don't see any player really worth it for us to take there since we are so stacked at wing players.
Posted by: knewton83 | Jun 11, 2008 11:38:32 AM
Are you seeing mocks w/ Brooke falling to us? If he does then we should jump all over him, but if the mock has Robin being taken there that is suspect. He is a stretch in the top 20 much less top 10.
Posted by: JD | Jun 11, 2008 11:57:39 AM
I would do whatever T-Dub thinks the Bobs should do.
Posted by: LeeL | Jun 11, 2008 1:37:07 PM
I am done with the PG talk, lets just agree to disagree. But on the other hand I like the Kousta Koufus idea because I am from the the midwest and watched him play at OSU and he has confidence along with the shot. He reminds me of Okur for Utah, a big that can step out and knock the shot down. With Okafor in the game or out it would work. The pick in roll would be killer for this team with that kind of center in the game. It almost worked with Brezec but he was just too soft. Koufus played in the Big 10 which is a power/strength conference so he would be able to handle the banging.
Other option would be to get Alexander from west virginia (I think), this guy has some guts and take it to the basket like a beast. Solid body for the 4 spot and has a nice touch on his shot for the 3. I think these two are good choices and can help right away.
Holla!
Posted by: T-Dub | Jun 11, 2008 2:13:25 PM
LEEL, ARE YOU TOO YOUNG TO MOVE ON! I'M OVER IT. NEXT TO-PIC!
YOU KEEP MY NAME IN YOUR MOUTH LIKE CHICKS WITH MY DICK! LOL LOL LOL!
I LIKE THAT, I WILL USE THAT ON MY NEXT ALBUM!
Posted by: T-Dub | Jun 11, 2008 2:18:07 PM
Most of the mocks I have seen lately have Brook falling. Twolves need a center but they don't like the idea of pairing Lopez, not overly athletic, w/ Jefferson, not overly athletic. They also don't see Lopez as having a very high ceiling so most analyst think they pass. After the Twovles, chance he goes at #5 but most analyst think he slips past them as well and falls to us at #9 if we want him.
I think he would be a good player for us and would provide some help on the boards and is definately more versatile on offense than Okafur, I am just not sure I like the fit on our team. At the same time, passing on the best big man in the draft w/ the #9 pick would be hard to do.
Javale has had terrible workouts and #9 is too early for Green. I like Joe Alexander, espicially when WVU knocked out Duke in the tourney, but I think he is too small to play PF. I like his game though a lot and would be a great fit for the Bobcats w/ his great range and length.
Posted by: Mason | Jun 11, 2008 3:08:23 PM
Sorry I don't agree with Rick Bonnell that the Bobcats shouldn't make any trades for the draft. What the Bobcats should try to do is trade often injured Gerald Wallace and the 9th pick to move up to the 3rd or 4th spot to make a move on Eric Gordon, who in my opinion is the best player in the draft. He can beat you off the dribble, has crazy range on his jumper, passes well to open teamates and plays defense. He reminds of Dewayne Wade with his athletic ability and more range on his jump shot.
Then their lineup would be:
PG Raymond Felton
SG Eric Gordon
SF Jason Richardson
PF Sean May
C Emeka Okafor
Then when Felton penatrate denfenses and kick out he'll have J-Rich and Eric Gordon two good jumpshooters to pass the ball to. Most important they'll have to other players besides Felton good at creating their own shot, with Eric Gordon and Sean May. With Larry Brown coaching them they'll be better on defense, Felton will improve at the point and Sean May will provide go to scoring in the post. The only question will be,is can Emeka Okafor and Sean May stay healthy.
Posted by: Jsn23nc | Jun 11, 2008 4:12:45 PM
Emeka stayed healthy all season. Sean May...has NEVER been healthy. He has about as much chance starting at PF as I do.
Posted by: apauldds | Jun 11, 2008 4:28:03 PM
Yes, Jsn23nc, that would be genious. Lets get rid of one of our best defenders for yet another shooting guard. I don't think we have enough of them yet. Even when May was healthy, still trying to remember when that was, he played better coming off the bench. I like J-Rich better at the SG spot and Wallace at SF. Even if May comes back 100% and stays healthy, we're still short on quality bigs. We need another big athlete who'll command attention on the post as well as the outside. Our perimeter shooters are too well guarded b/c our current bigs don't command that kind of attention. He's lanky, but I am really liking the idea of Anthony Randolph. I like the idea of:
PG Raymond Felton (Boynkins or 2nd rd pick off the bench)
SG Jason Richardson (Caroll off the bench)
SF Gerald Wallace (Dudley/Morrison off bench)
PF Anthony Randolph (S. May off the bench)
C Emeka Okafor (Nazr/Hollins off bench)
Threw Hollins in there b/c I still have hope for him. Won't ever be a star, but with an actual coach, he will be better developed IMO.
Posted by: Eric | Jun 11, 2008 4:50:03 PM
T-Dub, from what am I supposed to move on? Due to your eloquence and basketball knowledge, it was a foregone conclusion that I would agree with your analysis on the topic. I yearn for your knowledge and insight on all subjects. I don't see any need for such degradation due to the above referenced facts. BTW, good luck on your next album.
Posted by: LeeL | Jun 11, 2008 4:53:31 PM
trades will happen. with the addition of brown mostly. he has never joined a team and at least altered it a little, if not alot. jordan has veto power, yes, but do you think they only brought brown here to coach, given the track record he has as a roster maker? its really a braintrust now, though jordan has the larger part of the brain. brown was brought here to help tweak a roster with players(richardson, wallace, okefor) and potential (felton, morrison). bold moves should really be made here, because this assembly of people will not go far even with brown coaching them up, even as a best case situation.
I do like (on paper) 5 mohammad 4 okefor 3 wallace 2 richardson 1 felton// top bench options morrison, carrol, dudley. but injurys happen and that team only goes so far because of the post play between mohammad and okefor both not very mobile and unable to guard modern 4's like turkaglu in orlando.
bobcats can go young with a trade for a post player(collison in seattle/OKC?) or veteran but still not old(wallace in detroit?) or look for castoffs from changing rosters (gooden in chicago?)either way brown knows that on paper does not work on the floor. look for a veteran signing or two this offseason as well(duhon from chicago as backup pg?)
Posted by: brendan | Jun 11, 2008 4:56:25 PM
LeeL with a zinger.
I'm beginning to place T-Dub in the same category as Seansmomma on those other ridiculous posters. Someone to ignore or laugh at, depending on your taste.
Nazr and Okafor can't work. If he wasn't such a prima donna, wallace at the four isn't too bad. He can guard those 4's to an extent and everything Joe alexander can do at the 4 wallace can better. Not saying I wouldn't rather have randolph, but food for thought,
Felton, Gordon, J rich, Wallace, okafur is a very good line up.
And Jsn's line up of Felton, j rich, wallace, may and okafur, could be a very good line up. I wish may would stay healthy, just not sure it can happen.
Posted by: Bonnell = Procton | Jun 11, 2008 5:38:14 PM
LeeL, that paragraph is what I am talking about. Mocking me like the draft. This is a blog, a gathered group of fans putting there opinoins out there for people to respond to. SO BLOG and stop jocking me. I can handle it. NO PROB. But I have other things to say and looking at my name in your comments is really stupid cause the comment is stupid. At least make a point and then I will rebutal.
Eric is right, keep Wallace and Okafor because they are your defensive anchors. If a trade will happen it has to be some of these wing players, like Carroll or Morrison, Carroll stock is being talked about in the NBA and you can get something good for him. Wether its a higher draft pick, a center, or even a back up PG. Then you can concentrate on bulcking up your middle with a scoring post from the draft. Ala: Lopez, Arthur, D. Jordan, or even Love.
I can see this:
Felton
Richardson
Wallace
Okafor
Lopez/Love
(with Lopez they are defensively stronger and with Love they are offensively stronger)
What do you think?
Holla!
Posted by: T-Dub | Jun 11, 2008 5:47:13 PM
Bonnelll-Procto, huh, lil lil boys. Look man I dont want to spend all me energy responding to idiots like you who only have friend online and not in real life. I can go back and forth with you all day but since OBAHMA will be president I will do as he would and turn the other cheek. I will use these blogs to respond to the topic at hand and not play child like adult game. And yeah sacarsm is the best thing to use online because people can really feal it. I am so sad, I am crying cause of the zinger. AND arent those snack cakes.
Anyhow since I am the BIGGER man (in more than one way) I will never respond to your stupid, insecure, childish, ego-driven, zingerish dribble again. Peace
Holla!!!
Posted by: T-Dub | Jun 11, 2008 5:53:40 PM
Jsn23nc is clearly a stupid jackass for thinking the Bobcats should trade Gerald Wallace and the 9th pick for the 4th pick to snag Gordon. Lopez, Randolph, or one of the other big guys would make more of an impact because in the East, teams need to get big (especially when Nazr is your C and the 6'9 May is your big man off the bench) and don't need a shooter when they've already got Richardson, Carroll, Morrison (in theory), and Wallace will probably bring as much offensively to the table as Gordon would to go along with Wallace's elite lock down defensive capabilities. Gerald Wallace is the best player on the roster for the Bobcats, if anyone is off limits for trading it should be him.
Posted by: Nick | Jun 11, 2008 6:01:25 PM
ANYBODY suggesting that Sean May should be a starter loses ANY form of credibility. While it certainly isn't a Sam Bowie pick, it sure was one that has set the franchise back a couple of years.
What we don't need is another chain-smokin', scrawny, no nuts, jump shooting, 7 footer from Eastern Europe to waste a roster spot on. As they said in the '80s...
WHERE'S THE BEEF?? We need a head-banging center who can rebound and throw an outlet pass or kick it out to a shooter 80% of the time and dunk it or get fouled the other 20.
Posted by: BIG MAC | Jun 11, 2008 6:09:56 PM
What about swinging a deal with nazr, morrison, 9th pick with memphis and detroit. memphis have too many point guards, and detroit are looking to shake things up. A 9 man line up of
PG - Felton
SG - Richardson
SF - G. Wallace
PF - R. Wallace
C - Okafor
R PG - Lowry/Crittenton
R SG/SF - Carrol
R SF/PF - Dudley
R PF/C - May
This team has three point shooting to space the floor, lockdown defenders, and a (possible) elite point guard.
Posted by: Pat | Jun 11, 2008 10:00:10 PM
the bobcats should trade nazr and the #9 pick to memphis for darko and crittenton. then send may to the lakers for chris mihm.
felton/crittenton
richardson/carroll
wallace/dudley
okafor/davidson
milicic/mihm
Posted by: larry | Jun 12, 2008 12:37:34 AM
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