Bobcats making offer to Dragic

[Scottley Crue]

Check that, Dragic is UFA. He has received interest from Phoenix, Dallas and Toronto and is far apart in talks with Rockets on new deal.

Per Ken Berger

Edit: Link to original tweet: https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/statuses/220691702954983425

Interesting...

[ammofan]

WoW! That would actually be a really good signing tho. He's better than Kemba AND DJA. Obviously, DJA is on his way out.

[Scottley Crue]

Interesting to see what the deal is. Hopefully, it's a good one and he'll take it.

[Proudiddy]

I have no idea how this signing makes any sense. If we're projecting Kemba at the 1, and Hendo at the 2. I don't get it. He's a solid player, but he's going to be overpaid.

[Bosnian-Bobcats-Fan]

I'm not a fan of this....he's like 26 right?...i heard we're gonna offer 9 million per year....I'd rather go for illyasova instead of dragic...guess they only see kemba as a 6th man

[Proudiddy]

At 9 mil a year??? WTF are we thinking? He isn't a franchise player. This would only be a SLIGHTLY better signing in terms of value than Tyrus' deal.

[The Prodigy]

I would absolutely hate this. How are we going to find out what Kemba can give us if we never give him the job?

Also, why are we interested in dishing out huge dollars to anyone at this point? I didnt think that was in the plan this offseason.

[Deadshot]

From everything I've read in the last few days, he will probably want 10 mil per. Coming from the fan of another small market, be prepared to overpay for him if you actually want to get him.

If I thought they were going to give DJ 7m/yr I would go with Dragic at 10. But I doubt DJ's offer was that high.

And is Hendo going to be the 2 still with BG off the bench? I would at least consider moving Hendo to the 3 and starting BG as well. Walker/BG/Hendo/Jamison?/Bismack wouldn't be horrible.

[Bosnian-Bobcats-Fan]

Exactly keep the cap space....we can add a veteran pg with size if we want to add size to the backcourt....kemba put up the same type of numbers as dragic....Idk....i wouldn't do this

[Proudiddy]

Why not just keep DJA at 7 per? We'd rather pay Dragic 3 mil more for similar numbers?

[Bobcatter]

Why not just keep DJA at 7 per? We'd rather pay Dragic 3 mil more for similar numbers?

I don't think it would be similar numbers. When Lowry was injured this past season, Dragic was given more minutes and had a big breakout. Check out his ESPN game log for this past season...http://espn.go.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/3423/goran-dragic

[ammofan]

I don't think it would be similar numbers. When Lowry was injured this past season, Dragic was given more minutes and had a big breakout. Check out his ESPN game log for this past season...http://espn.go.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/3423/goran-dragic

Yeah there's a big difference between DJA and Dragic. Dragic is a legit starting PG. DJA is a good 3 point shooter with a good Ast to TO ratio just because he never takes a risk to make a big play on the court. Thats why he never really changes the game for us unless he's nailing 3's or something.

I noticed alot of times when Kemba entered the game changed. The tempo picked up and even if Kemba had a TO or something, he made an impact on the game. And most of the time it was in a good way.

[notdeadyet]

Yep; he can flat play the PG position. Bigger than Kemba. Kemba, IMO, isn't ready for big-time minutes.
If this happens, I'd expect us to withdraw DJ's qualifying offer, returning him to UFA status.

[SJackson1]

i think he would be a great signing for us, but who would start ?

[JGib23]

I think this would be a terrific signing (dependent on $ and years ) think Dragic starts with Hendo and Kemba teams up with Ben Gordon from the bench. That way we have a shooter in the back court at all times.

Dragic avg like 18 & 9 as a starter last year.

I prefer Dragic over DJ

[BountyHunter]

i think he would be a great signing for us, but who would start ?

Dragic will make between 9-10 mil. He will start. Kemba will be the change of pace PG off the bench.

BTW I like this .. A point guard that can matchup Defensively with other PG'as in the league. And also he was great down the stretch with the Rockets.

[bes628]

I like dragic, idk about 9 mil though. Although to me he is > kemba and dj in terms of sizE and skill

[dnbman]

How good is he defensively?

[WAM9]

I'm no expert on Dragic but I am not for this anywhere near $9-$10 million per.

It just doesn't seem like the right time for this. Maybe we are going to lowball him and hope that the other offers just don't work out.

Something just doesn't make sense to me here.

[Black]

Dragic is leaps and bounds better than DJ. As a starter last year he was a stud. I'm trying to find the splits, but take my word, he was around 18 and 8 as a starter. I don't know about 10 a year, but he is looking for a guarantee of being the starter. If he accepts a reasonable deal, he would be a great addition.

Edit: Found the splits. 28 games as a starter last year:

18 ppg
8.4 apg
3.5 rpg

1.8 steals

.490 from the field
.379 from three

Not to mention, he's 6'3''.

[ohara831]

Dragic would be the best PG this franchise has ever had.

[Black]

Dragic would be the best PG this franchise has ever had.

Seconded, thirded, and fourth....ed.

[dnbman]

Dragic is leaps and bounds better than DJ. As a starter last year he was a stud. I'm trying to find the splits, but take my word, he was around 18 and 8 as a starter. I don't know about 10 a year, but he is looking for a guarantee of being the starter. If he accepts a reasonable deal, he would be a great addition.

Edit: Found the splits. 28 games as a starter last year:

18 ppg
8.4 apg
3.5 rpg

1.8 steals

.490 from the field
.379 from three

Not to mention, he's 6'3''.

The stats are certainly nice, though, I agree with Wam: now doesn't seem the time.

The only reason why I might like it is that he's the type of point guard that could orchestrate talent once we get it, but isn't going to instantly turn the team into a playoff team. If that's the case, then we still pick up some high draft picks over the next season or two as our guys mature. The reality is great point guards who can orchestrate are difficult to find in this era of mostly combo guards.

It wouldn't be a terrible move, but it would be somewhat at odds with our seeming philosophy, and you're really gambling that this guy is going to be your starting pg of the future.

[Whiz Kid]

If he can average the 18 and 9 (basically) Then I'm for it. Just don't keep overpaying and not getting production. Sign him and Jamison and i think they'd complement each other and lead to good thing happening.

[BlockParty]

Not sure Goran ends up here even if we offer $9M..just pushes his price up elsewhere. Just because we offer it, doesn't mean he signs the offer sheet, but the amount gets leaked, Phoenix is stuck drinking a tall glass of reality with Nash going to the Lakers and will probably overpay for Goran...additionally we are sending a strong message to DJ and his camp that he's not as much of a game changer as he thinks.

But...I wonder how the logistics of this offer works, I'm sure we have space under the cap without rescinding DJ's QO to make the offer to Goran...but my guess is, we would go ahead and rescind it (unless we've been told by Goran's agent that there is no way he signs with the Cats).

[Proudiddy]

I didn't look at the numbers, just assumed they were close in numbers. I thought Dragic was a bum until he blew up in the playoffs that one season for the Suns. But, if he was really that good, I'd think he'd beat out Lowry in Houston... But, he didn't.

I'm just skeptical of the signing if we're offering 9 mil. I'd be excited at the potential, but worried about how this affects our long-term plans and the commitment.

[dnbman]

But...I wonder how the logistics of this offer works, I'm sure we have space under the cap without rescinding DJ's QO to make the offer to Goran...but my guess is, we would go ahead and rescind it (unless we've been told by Goran's agent that there is no way he signs with the Cats).

I think we could agree in principle with Goran and then rescind DJ before inking the actual deal. Not certain.

[BlockParty]

I think we could agree in principle with Goran and then rescind DJ before inking the actual deal. Not certain.

Yeah, I just know the rules are quirky...remember when we traded GW and Nazr, had to waive a couple players (including UPS because we were getting 3 players for GW to make the numbers work and 2 for Nazr), that was because both deals had to stand on their own, and it didn't matter that we fully intended on waiving some of the players in the deal...If DJ's agent thinks he won't get to whatever our QO is...he could sign it.

Kemba's health is the key..no reason to think he won't play 82 games...but we have to have a plan if it happens...so we will almost certainly have a backup PG to Kemba that makes more than him.

[bes628]

There's absolutely no way dragic comes here and doesn't start

[SWedd523]

I'd say he's worth around 9 per. He instantly be the best PG we've ever had and would push Kemba to his much more suitable role as the 6th man Jason Terry role. Doesn't really seem like the type of player Cho would go for, but if they can get him for a deal like that then by all means. He's 26, yeah, but he hasn't been a heavy minutes player under most circumstances so he's young in NBA years

[Proudiddy]

And it appears we are the frontrunners:

Marc J. Spears: Bobcats making hard run at HOU free agent G Goran Dragic, source tells Y! Dragic spoke to CHA exec Rod Higgins tonight. Hou,PHX still in mix Twitter

Pair that with the fact that the Rockets are meeting with Jeremy Lin and that the Suns have signed Beasley and Gordon and it sounds like we're going to win out on the Dragic sweepstakes.

Again, I have my reservations, but I'd be excited about the potential. This also probably guarantees another 1st round pick coming in because we'll most likely be trading DJ and/or Hendo.

[BlockParty]

There's absolutely no way tragic comes here and doesn't start

Agreed, I just think Phoenix's offer will be higher, Eric Gordon's $58M deal was matched by the Hornets so Phoenix has even more money available to them.

[BountyHunter]

Agreed, I just think Phoenix's offer will be higher, Eric Gordon's $58M deal was matched by the Hornets so Phoenix has even more money available to them.

But if Gordon insists then Hornets might do a sign and trade with Phoenix. And that would put them out of the running.

[BlockParty]

But if Gordon insists then Hornets might do a sign and trade with Phoenix. And that would put them out of the running.

Gordon's a RFA..he can't insist on anything. If he didn't like that as an option, he shouldn't have signed his rookie contract which give the NBA team 4 years to control the destiny of first round draft picks.

[JGib23]

Agreed, I just think Phoenix's offer will be higher, Eric Gordon's $58M deal was matched by the Hornets so Phoenix has even more money available to them.

Offer isn't even signed yet- just a verbal agreement Can't sign until July 11th. New Orleans than has a couple days to officially match.


For those complaining about Dragics stats and age.... Go look up Steve Nashs age and production his first 4 years in the NBA. Not saying Dragic = Nash but he was an u derstudy of Nash and I see a lot of similarities in Dragic and 26 year old Nash

[McBeastie]

I'm a bit hesitant about $9-10mil per for him as well. Hopefully Cho would structure it to be front-loaded.

Some per-36 numbers from last season.

Season Age G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS

K. Walker
2011-12 21 66 25 1792 5.6 15.4 .366 1.4 4.5 .305 3.4 4.3 .789 0.6 4.1 4.7 5.8 1.2 0.4 2.4 1.6 16.1

G. Dragic
2011-12 25 66 28 1752 5.7 12.3 .462 1.4 4.2 .337 3.1 3.9 .805 1.1 2.4 3.5 7.2 1.7 0.2 3.2 3.4 15.9

D. Augustin
2011-12 24 48 46 1408 4.7 12.5 .376 1.6 4.6 .341 2.7 3.1 .875 0.6 2.2 2.8 7.8 0.9 0.0 2.8 1.7 13.6

[Frosty06306]

And it appears we are the frontrunners:


Pair that with the fact that the Rockets are meeting with Jeremy Lin and that the Suns have signed Beasley and Gordon and it sounds like we're going to win out on the Dragic sweepstakes.

Again, I have my reservations, but I'd be excited about the potential. This also probably guarantees another 1st round pick coming in because we'll most likely be trading DJ and/or Hendo.

Why does this mean we'd trade DJ or Hendo?

[dnbman]

Why does this mean we'd trade DJ or Hendo?

I don't think it would mean much for Hendo, but I do think DJ would be gone soon, perhaps at mid-season if he ends up taking the QO and nothing else.

There's not enough minutes to go around for all of those guards, especially if Dragic is brought in on the premise of being the starting PG and playing significant time.

[Proudiddy]

There's not enough minutes to go around for all of those guards, especially if Dragic is brought in on the premise of being the starting PG and playing significant time.

THIS.

But, it's also possible that we sign Dragic and then rescind our offer for DJ. I'm hoping we keep it on him so we can pull off a deal for some assets.

[KembaSlice]

Sign Dragic and do a sign and trade with DJ.

[Black]

Obviously DJ is gone if we bring Dragic in.

[dnbman]

THIS.

But, it's also possible that we sign Dragic and then rescind our offer for DJ. I'm hoping we keep it on him so we can pull off a deal for some assets.

That seems like the best possibility for getting anything for DJ, especially if he could help a team in the playoffs next year. However, it's a bit strange that there aren't ANY rumors at the moment for DJ going anywhere. Tons of PG talk, including Felton. Very interesting.

[Proudiddy]

It appears it won't be as easy as I had thought...


David Aldridge: Despite his request, league source reiterated tonight that Hornets will match $58M sheet Suns committed to Eric Gordon Tuesday. Twitter


Chris Broussard: Source: Jeremy Lin still meeting with Rockets. With Nash In LA, source says NYK likely to match any offer. Twitter


Paul Coro: The #Suns' next task will be settling on a point guard between Goran Dragic & Raymond Felton. Felton visits Phoenix tomorrow. Twitter

[Black]

If you believe in players holding grudges, there's a chance Dragic is not to happy with being traded by the Suns in the first place.

[SJackson1]

Dragic was a beast for the last couple of months last season and realy showed off his skills. If we sign him it would send out a message around the NBA that we will be back with a bang next season !

[skratch]

Is he gonna backup kemba?

[Black]

Is he gonna backup kemba?

No, as he is more skilled, and would be paid more.

[Talent]

I think this is a fuck you to DJA and I think it is rightfully so given.

[Black]

Dragic agrees to a deal with the Suns.


Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA
As ESPN reported, Goran Dragic agreed to a 4 year, $34M deal with the Suns. Rockets decided that was "too rich" and let him go, source says.

There goes that.

[dnbman]

Dragic agrees to a deal with the Suns.



There goes that.

That's alright. That would be a significant investment given that we don't even know who our key personnel will be in a couple of years. I'd rather wait and either draft our future point guard or sign a guy after we've got most of the pieces in place.

[Black]

That's alright. That would be a significant investment given that we don't even know who our key personnel will be in a couple of years. I'd rather wait and either draft our future point guard or sign a guy after we've got most of the pieces in place.

Who knows, maybe we trade for Marshall in a couple years.

[skratch]

Glad we didnt get him, i like kemba still wanna see what he can do, he can be our ty lawson imo

[Hugo]

I think Dragic is going to be pretty good. However I think this year should be spent assessing Kemba.

[Proudiddy]

I was actually starting to fall for the idea.

Fucking Suns. What are they doing? And why did they draft Marshall if they wanted to splurge on Dragic?

[spectre]

Wow, glad I missed this ride.

Don't understand the move at all unless maybe Dragic's numbers blow Cho's database away.

[Scottley Crue]

This makes me wonder if that leak came from Dragic's agent to persuade other teams to get moving on a contract. We usually don't find out about the Bobcats' business until after its done. Either way, that's more space for other people. Cho will get something done.

[ohara831]

Pity. Would have been a good investment for the Bobcats.

[westbrook08]

I'm glad he didn't sign with us.He's never even started a full season and i don't want us paying that much for a guy who "got hot in the playoffs".Kemba should be our starter and we do need size at the position,but it needs to be for a decent back up.Dj still needs to go, because we just have too many small guards.Hopefully some other team will be up against the cap and have to give us a pick in a sign and trade.

[BlockParty]

Wow, glad I missed this ride.

Don't understand the move at all unless maybe Dragic's numbers blow Cho's database away.

It could be a favor for Goran's agent/agent group? UPS is our only tie at the moment. Ironic that Nash and Dragic are represented by the same company, maybe Bobcats did this as a favor to http://www.bdasports.com/bda-atheletes/ when they knew Nash was going to the Lakers.

[SJackson1]

Dragic has agreed deal to sign with the Phoenix Suns.

[tondi]

On the bright side, it will be easy to stick to the plan of building through the draft if we can't get any FA's to sign here. I don't really understand the point of overpaying for somebody like this anyway. If we want a larger pass first PG we should stop drafting small chucking PG's. I know the PG draft is expected to be weak next year but lets give Kemba a shot at it and then overpay for somebody NEXT year if he doesn't seem to get it during the upcoming season. It's not like we aren't going to suck either way so why commit ourselves to someone who isn't exactly a proven commodity when we have last years 1st round pick ready to take over the position?

[wend28]

Glad that Phoenix saved the Bobcats from themselves on this one. It would have been a huge waste of cap space. Stick with Kemba.

[Twan's Kin]

Now that Dragic is out of the picture, we can turn our attention to acquiring Ramon Sessions.

[SJackson1]

how about trying to get Shaun Livingston back ?

[ND22]

how about trying to get Shaun Livingston back ?

This! I've wanted him back since we traded him. That contract of his was one of the best deals we ever made.

Shame we would have to trade for him though.

I don't know why anyone would want Dragic at 9 million a year. A good player, but not worth that contract. Suns are shelling out money in the wrong places with Dragic and Beasley.

[Adam42R]

This! I've wanted him back since we traded him. That contract of his was one of the best deals we ever made.

Shame we would have to trade for him though.

I don't know why anyone would want Dragic at 9 million a year. A good player, but not worth that contract. Suns are shelling out money in the wrong places with Dragic and Beasley.

Weren't we a little freaked by how much rehab time Liv needed to spend between games and his injury at the end of the season he was with us? Was that lower back or tailbone? Don't recall but it seemed to have nothing to do w/ his knee issue but I thought that all the concern that the knee might not hold up might have given the team pause. Frankly, I really liked the guy a lot and I'd love to have him back. I don't know if he'd fit w/ an up-tempo/hard D game like we're advertising but he's so long at the point, he could definitely post smaller PGs up and I really loved his attitude (I'd want Kwame back for the attitude as well actually).

I get the Dragic acquisition would be pricier than where we are shopping these days but in all honesty, what they paid for Beasley is really quite reasonable at 18m over 3 years.

[Frosty06306]

If the Rockets get Lin, will they keep Livingston or release him possibly?

[Mustachio]

Considering the per 36 numbers that someone posted earlier, feels like a case of "grass is greener". 7 win seasons tend to devalue players huh. I know a lot of people here think after one season Kemba is 6th man material, but I still think hes the guy. Kemba looks just as productive in a MUCH worse situation. When considering free agent point guards Dragic was high on my list, but never imagined him making that much money. Rather have Felton/livingston as back ups than pay that much for that little extra bump it provides.

Seems like it worked itself out.

[BlockParty]

Weren't we a little freaked by how much rehab time Liv needed to spend between games and his injury at the end of the season he was with us? Was that lower back or tailbone? Don't recall but it seemed to have nothing to do w/ his knee issue but I thought that all the concern that the knee might not hold up might have given the team pause. Frankly, I really liked the guy a lot and I'd love to have him back. I don't know if he'd fit w/ an up-tempo/hard D game like we're advertising but he's so long at the point, he could definitely post smaller PGs up and I really loved his attitude (I'd want Kwame back for the attitude as well actually)..

I don't recall there being any reservations about Livingston's health when we traded him, earlier in that season we were very cautious about any pain he experienced. And his tail bone injury was a freakish fall (had to hurt), but he was recovered. He was part of the trade with Stack Jack and Maggs because....we really wanted to get rid of Jack and the Bucks really wanted Livingston to be included.

I think Livingston would be the ideal backup to Kemba (he has height so he is would make our lineup versatile playing Kemba along side him if something happened to Kemba. He probably needs to practice his 3 point shot, but that is true of every guard/wing on our roster in Dunlap's system.

[westbrook08]

I think kemba can be a good starting point guard.But i think long term if we get a true point guard with size and can use kemba off the bench as firepower and can get both guys to buy in like kidd and terry did that we would have a better chance to compete for a title in the future.There are just alot of guys that are small scoring point guards that teams try to make into starters and it just doesn't work alot.I'm not saying kemba can't.But i think he's gonna always be a better scorer than facilitator and i'd rather have a true point running the game and just let kemba be free to go off when he comes in the game.

[Bosnian-Bobcats-Fan]

I'm all for bringing livingston back