Bobcats future: All about salary cap space and draft picks!

[JohnnyTimmons]

Hello all. Long time listener, first time caller.

Our situation appears tome to be very simple to turn around: free up as much much nonessential cap space as possible, don't lose possible trade bait for nothing, acquire draft picks.

Easier said than done, to be sure, but I feel if the FO focuses on these aspects we can be competitive by next season, and contenders by the following one.

I feel both Diaw and Augustin will probably leave at the end of their contract, and would be valuable as backups if a contract could be reached for under 4 million a season each. (Diaw would have to take less years as well) I see neither player accepting this and trying their hand at better contracts, and a starting spot.
With this in mind I would hate to lose both for nothing, and feel as if we could get young prospect pieces/moderate picks/cheaper role players in return for them. I would package them with some combination of Maggette (obviously not a part of our team's future) and either Najera or Carrol.
I know you are thinking we would get jack shit back for these players, but you would be surprised the moves that teams make when inspired by injuries and playoff hopes. And something is better than nothing. And in Najera/Carrol's case, we could desperately use their contracts off our books.

Diop is not mentioned because who the fuck wants his Baby Huey ass and his absurd contract? Besides, just one more season after this and its auto cap space.

My question to you, who would you try to trade for in an ideal world? Which players would you be willing to move to perhaps sweeten these deals? Would you even do these deals? And, assuming we could free cap space and move these players, what would you focus on next year contract-wise?

ORIOLES
GAMECOCKS
PANTHERS
BOBCATS

[Wolfpackbobcat]

We need to be smart about trading away assets. If we get a shot at moving up in next years draft or gaining lottery picks, then go for it. We still need to build our depth though, so cant trade everyone away.

[JohnnyTimmons]

That is a very good point I wasn't considering before. Freeing space and getting picks is all fine and good, but you do have to field a team in the meantime, and have depth on your bench beyond that.

[fallen xxi]

What we need to realize is that we no longer have to worry about making stupid trades, dumb draft picks, etc. Rich Cho knows everything there is to know about the salary cap and could possibly be the smartest GM in the league. This dude can build a team..heck look at how he restructured the Bobcats toward success in the course of 1 draft.

[docend24]

This is next year roster assuming young guys brought back and Diaw, Najera just expired:

Augustin(FA), Walker
Henderson, R.Williams, Carroll
Maggette, R.Williams, (Cunningham), D.Brown(FA)
Thomas, White(FA) (Cunningham), D.Brown(FA)
Biyombo, Mullens, Diop

we may be thin at C and swingmen rotation but adding Drummond, Lamb or Barnes if you insist would help with that a bit. We wouldn't be good yet but would have some future bench pieces and 2013 with (most likely) two first rounders ahead.

[ALong13]

I expect Diop to be on the roster this season, and then traded next season as an expiring contract. I do believe DJ is gone and Kemba will take over, but I wouldn't be shocked to see us draft or sign a legit center and move Biyombo to PF. I also wouldn't be opposed to drafting a SF if an elite one is there. If Henderson turns the quarter this season than lets keep him around as our starting 2-guard, but no matter what, Best man available IMO, other than PG maybe

[Toocool]

I liked what Mullens showed in the pre-season game.
Has holes in his game (lack of rebounding and boxing out), but I think he can develop nicely into a decent starting Center.

[anton273]

We suck... if we dont get a top 3 pick next year ill be disappointed...we need a franchise player and Kemba/Smack aren't it.

[Pepperz]

We still dont truely know what we got with Kemba and Bitchsmack. How good can they really get.

[JohnnyTimmons]

I agree with Pepper. While ai tend to be more optimistic than pragmatic, I still believe the jury is out on our two draft picks. Gun to my head i believe Kemba will be a great scorer avg 5 assists a game eventually, and will really shine with a scoring top notch wing or true post threat big man.

[spectre]

Today we have a direct challenge to your 2nd point. Was not matching the offer sheet for Cunningham good or bad in your opinion?

BTW, great thread...I usually love these things. I'll probably get all into this with you as soon as Christmas gets by.

[superb1]

Today we have a direct challenge to your 2nd point. Was not matching the offer sheet for Cunningham good or bad in your opinion?

BTW, great thread...I usually love these things. I'll probably get all into this with you as soon as Christmas gets by.

not sure yet. he has potential and really did not won't to see him go, but as far as need, I believe we are covered at F once everyone is healthy. basically that's all I got on the issue, hope him the best and hope it does not bite us later and we use that cap space wisely. With Cho is Charge, I think so.

[JohnnyTimmons]

No, for the short answer. Cunningham has some promise and is young, but possibly for no discernable reason, I would always rather see D Brown backing up maggette instead.

This make come back to bite our ass later, but honestly, at the end of the year, how many of us will even remember losing him? He could turn out to be a solid sixth man or back 3, but that is near his ceiling so i wouldn' AGONIZE over the shoulda couldas.

[spectre]

I wasn't talking about need.


don't lose possible trade bait for nothing

Now I'm not saying that we could have moved him for any real value down the road, but I'd bet anything that right now he has at least twice as much value as UPS.

Combining him with say DJ to get a guy in the MLE range wouldn't be adding a negative (and one could argue slightly help)...whereas adding Najera would probably bring the value of our package down. We'd not be adding any long term salary, but at least with Dante we'd be giving up a younger guy that most would perceive as still having potential to get better.