Could The Jordan Connection Bring D-Wade or Joe Johnson to Charlotte?

[Proudiddy]

I don't think it's likely, but we need to bring in a superstar-caliber guy that is relatively young. I started thinking about all the guys available this summer and the amount of cap space, or lack thereof, that we have...

I started thinking, in order to get a top name guy, we'd most likely have to do a sign-and-trade to clear up enough space cap wise... But, I'm not totally clear on how that works. But, I assume with the expiring contract of Tyson Chandler and possibly another player and maybe a 2nd rounder we could make it happen.

Lebron: I thought of the guys out there, and although Lebron is the best player on the planet aside from Kobe, I don't see it happening. Lebron also reveres Jordan, even going so far as to suggest his number change next year is to honor Jordan. And being about the same age, I can attest Jordan was obviously the most influential player to guys our age. But again, it would essentially be a lateral move for Lebron. Cleveland and Charlotte, without doing the research, I assume are relatively similar markets. But, Cleveland has already built their team around Lebron and are built to contend for several years. I just don't see Lebron making that move.

Joe Johnson: I could definitely see this happening. To me, out of all the big guys available, Johnson seems the most realistic option. Atlanta is a larger market than Charlotte, but as big as Atlanta is, it never seems like the Hawks are that big of a draw there. Additionally, it isn't like ATL built their franchise around Johnson although he is a integral part of what they are. It just seems like it wouldn't be that much of a jump to go from ATL to Charlotte, ESPECIALLY being that Johnson is a member of the Jordan Brand. This is really intriguing to me.

D-Wade: I actually think I prefer D-Wade out of all the guys just b/c of his game. I'd like to say he's a realistic option as well, but it's hard to imagine a guy leaving Miami for Charlotte. BUT, not only is Wade a member of Jordan Brand, he is now the chosen frontman of the brand and the face of it now... Jordan chose him to be. That says a lot. But again, I'd like to think it's possible, but I just don't see Wade leaving Miami for Charlotte. It also seems that he had a dislike for our team in that last game we beat them...

But, I just really think Jordan is going to use all of his resources to put our team where the Hornets were at one time and beyond, in terms of success. And I really believe to do that, he wants to bring in a guy that the world already knows. I could be wrong, but wouldn't it be easier to get on National TV when you have D-Wade or Joe Johnson (moreso with D-Wade)? I would love to see this happen. MJ has already shown he's willing to make bold moves (trading multiple times, including the trade for Jack), and he has made it clear he will do whatever it takes to make this team profitable, marketable and fan-friendly. What do you think?

[teej]

Joe Johnson is not worth a max contract. I like Jack more for what we're paying him.

D-Wade hates LB.

Not happening.

CP3 is probably our best bet, though I'd love to be wrong.

[SirBobcat]

For any of this to happen they'll have to agree to a sign and trade...which is extremely unlikely. Maybe they should be more focused on finding a gem or two in the 2nd round then hoping that the unlikely will happen.

[mj4life]

won't happen on either cause it would put us well over lux tax limit and d wade loves south beach i think he will someday move on but probably 3 or 4 years from now. joe johnson either resign with atlanta or moves to chicago to be with d rose or new york to be with c bosh( i don't think they get lebron)

[mrtarheel]

If Tyson was an expiring this year I think we could pull of one of the big names more of a Joe Johnson type player. I think we end up with doing something with Tyson next season for a young center and role players on cheaper contracts

[mj4life]

Joe Johnson is not worth a max contract. I like Jack more for what we're paying him.

D-Wade hates LB.

Not happening.

CP3 is probably our best bet, though I'd love to be wrong.
we have legit shot to one day have cp3 on our roster cause at some point the hornets will have to cut payroll they have a hard time breaking even when they make the playoffs

[Proudiddy]

Tyson's contract will be considered an expiring after this season. I think he only has a player option year left, which I'm sure he'll take... Thus making it an expiring contract.

[SirBobcat]

Sorry why would Atlanta give their division rival their best player for an expiring contract? Miami also?

[Proudiddy]

Sorry why would Atlanta give their division rival their best player for an expiring contract? Miami also?

They wouldn't have a choice. If I'm not mistaken, teams do sign-and-trades with unrestricted free agents generally when the team expects that they won't be able to retain a pending free agent.

For instance, if in this dream world D-Wade decides he wants to sign with us and Miami knows they won't be able to keep him... They come to an agreement with us to sign Wade to a max deal, as Miami will be able to sign him to a larger amount than we would, and then we would just send them fodder in return. This way Miami at least gets something in return, whereas if Wade just left, they would get nothing. It's essentially an agreement between two teams knowing that a player is leaving the original team.

For example, Rashard Lewis... When he signed with the Magic, it was through a sign-and-trade... Technically, Lewis signed a deal with Seattle having already agreed to those terms with the Magic. Seattle signed him to the deal with it agreed upon that he was going to Orlando. All Seattle got back was a 2nd round pick and a trade exception.

[SirBobcat]

i just find it hard to believe that one of those guys will want to come to Charlotte. It's very unrealistic honestly, but of course I wouldn't be opposed if the hypothetical idea becomes a realization.

[GoBobs]

We aren't getting any of those guys.

Lets say Lebron really wanted to play for the team owned by Jordan and wanted to force a sign and trade. He would have to go to Cavs ownership and say I am going to play for Charlotte. I am willing to sign for the mid-level for one year because of there cap situation unless you are willing to work a sign and trade. First the money has to match up to whatever we are going to pay Lebron. Any ideas of giving them Diop, Chandler, Nazr, even Jackson hardly hold any water because if the cavs lose Lebron they are going to want to go young. In that situation the cavs probably say we are calling your bluff Lebron. Of course if any of these guys are really willing to play for the mid level come sign up for one year and you will get a max contract in 2011 if we aren't locked out.

My best guess about where these guys end up is Lebron, Wade, and Bosh to the Heat. I see NY and CHi overpaying for Booz and Amare. JJ could also go to the Knicks or the Bulls. All the more reason to win it all this year, that heat team would be a beast.

[ND22]

I'm just going to throw this out there, we're about 3 years away from this, but by that time we'll have cleared the space needed.

Stephen Curry.

Assuming he continues to improve and becomes a big time scorer in the league, he is almost destined to be a Bobcat. He's a Charlotte native, his dad does the color (and played for the Hornets right?) He'd be welcomed here with open arms. By that time Wallace and Jack will be on the tale end of their careers, and we'll need a new player to build around. We should just all get on the Curry bandwagon right now and hope the kid turns into a star.

[teej]

I'm just going to throw this out there, we're about 3 years away from this, but by that time we'll have cleared the space needed.

Stephen Curry.

Assuming he continues to improve and becomes a big time scorer in the league, he is almost destined to be a Bobcat. He's a Charlotte native, his dad does the color (and played for the Hornets right?) He'd be welcomed here with open arms. By that time Wallace and Jack will be on the tale end of their careers, and we'll need a new player to build around. We should just all get on the Curry bandwagon right now and hope the kid turns into a star.

In the draft, he said he wanted to go to New York. He almost hinted that he didn't want to play here. And the way he started off the game in the Cable Box, I almost wonder if he doesn't want the local pressure?

[ND22]

In the draft, he said he wanted to go to New York. He almost hinted that he didn't want to play here. And the way he started off the game in the Cable Box, I almost wonder if he doesn't want the local pressure?

Good point, I forgot about that. Still, maybe this is just me dreaming a bit, but I look at what Rose is to Chicago and I see the same thing in Curry; a hometown hero to build around. He was obviously nervous when he came here, but he packed the Cable Box and the fans were cheering for me and the Bobcats at the same time.

He may not be open to the idea now, but who knows, he could be thinking differently in 3 years.

[teej]

but I look at what Rose is to Chicago

A 9th seed? :rolleyes:

[ND22]

A 9th seed? :rolleyes:

HA! Yeah well that's their fault for letting Ben Gordon go. Think about their series with Boston last year, it was truly epic and Rose was the leading the way.

[teej]

HA! Yeah well that's their fault for letting Ben Gordon go. Think about their series with Boston last year, it was truly epic and Rose was the leading the way.

Yeah, last year was amazing and I hope we can better them by a game, but I don't necessarily see Rose as a championship point guard.

Maybe as a second option like Chauncey in Detroit or in a D-Wade/Shaq scenario, but that's about it.

[Walt Cronkite]

In a word, no.

[Dexmor]

No it's not gonna happen.

[rsxnova]

I think we could land a star if Jordon made them the new Jordon Brand star.

[EC123]

Don't need them.

If the Bobcats are going to spend that kind of money on anybody, it should be Chris Bosh.

A dominant 4 or 5 is what they need.

[eleaf14]

Here are my best guesses...I am thinking there will be alot of shakeup among the stars, but not all happening like most think this summer, but definitely in the next 2 years.

Lebron: I am guessing it will be at least one more season after this one. If he wins this year he's gone...but not necessarily immediately. Im predicting he leaves for the Nets only when they become the Brooklyn Nets. Take a sec and imagine the marketing power of building a team with Lebron, Jay Z and Mr. Prokorov with that fancy new complex they just broke ground on. Thats alot of opportunity that Cleveland cant offer.

I think Boozer, Bosh and Amare will likely set the tone for where Wade and Johnson end up. I imagine Miami and New York to try and each offer 2 max deals. Chicago really only has one to work with.

My gut would be Wade would really only leave for Chicago...but maybe NY has a chance. I just think he's better off staying put unless he wants to play hometown hero with all of that cap Miami has, plus they seem willing to build for him there.

I think Johnson is out in Atlanta and wants a max deal. I doubt he's as concerned as the others as to where he ends up...but obviously will head somewhere to contend if he feels that Atlanta is not the place.

There is also the TMac contract...which some could view as a good deal (since it will never be close to what it is now). I am guessing if New York will have 1st dibs, but if they haven't improved their roster...he will pick his contender.

As for us landing a star:

I am pretty confident that we will have a star player here at somepoint in the next few years...and I am sure Jordan will have plenty to do with that.

CP3 would make the most sense with the homestate connections. He doesnt seem overwhelmingly happy in NO. Collison is playing very well. We would at least have to give up one of our better players of what we have in place. It could happen...but NO will ask for alot I am sure.

Carmelo would be my second guess. But the way Denver has been lately that might be more of a longshot.

As long as we have the Jordan, LB, Higgins team in place we will likely be wheeling and dealing.

[ohara831]

We just had an 11 pt qtr against the sorry Wizards. I just want MJ to get SOMEONE who can SCORE the damn ball!!!! 11 pts against the Wizards in an entire qtr?

[EC123]

F_ck Chris Paul.

The Bobcats don't need a point guard, they need a post player...period.

[BETCATS]

No 1st tier NBA player (an All-Star caliber guy) is going to come here because of Jordan. Because doing that esentially makes them Jordan's bitch. You are comming just to be around MJ every day? That is just weak.

HOWEVER I think if the player has other ties to the team (such as being born in NC, having previously played for LB, or something else along simmular lines) then i could see MJ as being an added bonus. Chris Paul, Josh Howard, or Rip Hamilton are all Jordan Brand guys with other connections to the team, i could see any of them opting to sign here if the circumstances were right.

While i think he cant be the main reason a player will come here, i do think having MJ as majority owner makes us more desirable.

[EC123]

No 1st tier NBA player (an All-Star caliber guy) is going to come here because of Jordan. Because doing that esentially makes them Jordan's bitch. You are comming just to be around MJ every day? That is just weak.

HOWEVER I think if the player has other ties to the team (such as being born in NC, having previously played for LB, or something else along simmular lines) then i could see MJ as being an added bonus. Chris Paul, Josh Howard, or Rip Hamilton are all Jordan Brand guys with other connections to the team, i could see any of them opting to sign here if the circumstances were right.

While i think he cant be the main reason a player will come here, i do think having MJ as majority owner makes us more desirable.

F_ck Chris Paul.

The Bobcats don't need a point guard, they need a post player...period.

[Marvel]

I would absolutely love Chris Bosh.If we can somehow get him(highly doubtful i know but what the hey) we are going to the NBA finals,for sho.

[TheBeagle]

F_ck Chris Paul.

The Bobcats don't need a point guard, they need a post player...period.Errr.....you do remeber what Chris did for an offensively-challenged Tyson Chandler, right? Think what he could do with Tyrus...a post player not nearly as offensively-challenged as Chandler.

[SWedd523]

I could care less what he would do for our post players. He is, after all, the best. PG. in. the. WORLD.






(by a very, very slim margin, and I would still rather have Deron... but what can you do)

[BobCatsFanInTx]

Our team is a team of character players for the most part. Yes Stephen Jackson has had a past but so far he has been a solid teammate and contributor to our team. All in all I think our Bobcats have the makeup of a team that at the least a few stars might want to play for.

Charlotte may not be a major market but if you add in the MJ factor and the fact that your state has a history of basketball crazy fans, I don't think it a major stretch that players you all are writing off would want to play in Charlotte NC for MJ. So, though based on market size it would seem that no major star would play for a Charlotte based team, MJ is very charismatic and I would not look past his influence.

That all said I realize that I have openly stated I worried about MJ as a majority owner. I guess because I have seen too many teams influenced by overly mettlesome owners who ruined their teams. In baseball George Steinbrenner has had success simply because of the way baseball is set up. In the other three major sports mettlesome owners no longer are having the successes they once did.

I have softened my stance on MJ though. There are many more positives than negatives as I think about MJ being the owner. I despised MJ as a player. That was only because I watched too many times MJ destroying teams I would rather see win than his team. I especially hated MJ when I thought he got away with some shit that helped his Bulls defeat the Jazz in the Finals. None the less the man was fun to watch and his competitive drive was unrivaled. That can only be a positive for the Bobcats or whatever the team may be called down the road.

People need to remember that a lot of the Superstars of today grew up as young fans watching MJ work his magic and I am sure if the Bobcats charismatic leader came calling they would not be real quick to dismiss MJ or Charlotte and NC.

On a side note, if MJ ever changes the name of the Charlotte based team would it not be best to eliminate the name Charlotte and rename the team the Carolina something or others? It is not likely NC will have any other NBA teams to represent the state so why not affiliate the team to the state with the name of the state? I personally would not mind seeing the resurrection of the name Carolina Cougars. Anything with Carolina on it would be okay though.

I grew up in Colorado and always hated that the Broncos and Nuggets were named after the city as opposed to the state. The state got it right with the Av's and the Rockies.

That is my long two cents worth.