Brook Lopez

[dav7z]

Artical says the Charlotte Bobcats are instrested in offering Lopez a max deal.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--nets-near-contract-agreement-with-brook-lopez.html

I hope we don't comit that Much money for him .
THOUGHTS?

[gamecocksmitty4]

I don't buy it. Offering ANY player (let alone being Lopez) a max offer is not a Cho move, especially at this point in the process. I have a feeling that Cho put that out there to drive up the price for Lopez to force the Nets to sign Lopez to a max deal and handicap them from being able to get Howard. Considering the salaries it would be much more difficult for the Nets to get Dwight and would allow the Cats to have the upperhand in any negotiations where they act as the facilitator.

[spectre]

I think it's just a move to gain some leverage trying to get in that 3 way. BKN is not going to let him go to another team.

Very much like our "interest" in Gordon.

The max thing is very worrisome, but I did just read on hoopshype that GMs are saying that Lopez at max is still a positive asset assuming he remains healthy.

[westbrook08]

I completely disagree that offering a player a max contract is not cho's style.We haven't seriously targeted anyone since he has been here so it would be hard for anyone to know what his style is.And secondly,there were numerous reports that we were going to offer eric gordon a max deal,but he never made it past phoenix before signing an offer sheet.I would believe that getting talent is what every gm's style is.Whether is comes through trades,the draft,or free agency is irrelevant.

[gamecocksmitty4]

I completely disagree that offering a player a max contract is not cho's style.We haven't seriously targeted anyone since he has been here so it would be hard for anyone to know what his style is.And secondly,there were numerous reports that we were going to offer eric gordon a max deal,but he never made it past phoenix before signing an offer sheet.I would believe that getting talent is what every gm's style is.Whether is comes through trades,the draft,or free agency is irrelevant.

The one thing that Cho has consistently said is that he wants a lot of cap flexibility and that he will not add any long-term, big money guys right now.

[amour217]

I find it very hard to believe we'd even consider offering max to Blook Ropez

[akaseinfeld]

Man, It sucks so bad that Lopez was off the board when we drafted, leaving us to pick Augustin.........:facepalm:





***Disclaimer*** - Sarcasm intended

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Man, It sucks so bad that Lopez was off the board when we drafted, leaving us to pick Augustin.........:facepalm:





***Disclaimer*** - Sarcasm intended

When "DJ Augustin" rolled across David Stern's lips, it was possibly my least favorite moment as a Bobcats fan.

(DJ, I hope you have long career on a winning team as a solid back up. You seem like a good guy.)

[bes628]

I think he would have to clear medically to get a max deal.

[ND22]

Interesting that his rebounding numbers have dropped so drastically in the last two years. Are injuries the cause? Other than that he is probably worth it. This is a "max deal," but this isn't a Joe Johnson max deal. Comparatively, to the rest of the league Lopez is one of the better centers in the league when healthy, and in my opinion, we probably aren't going to get a better center than this. Howard, Bynum, and Hibbert aren't coming here. Same goes for guys like Hortford and Gasol (Marc). We need legitimate scoring on the block. Lopez would give us that, along with size. If he can get his rebounding numbers up, he helps us even more.

Thing is though, we probably won't end up with Lopez. Brooklyn will match any offer sheet, and if he's traded, he goes to Orlando. Maybe this move is our way of getting what we want out of this monster trade. Lopez is our first option, but if we don't get him, we get plan B in the trade.

EDIT: Seems I'm mistaken, if Lopez signs with Brooklyn the Dwight trade is done, so no plan B. Welp.

[dav7z]

Interesting that his rebounding numbers have dropped so drastically in the last two years. Are injuries the cause? Other than that he is probably worth it. This is a "max deal," but this isn't a Joe Johnson max deal. Comparatively, to the rest of the league Lopez is one of the better centers in the league when healthy, and in my opinion, we probably aren't going to get a better center than this. Howard, Bynum, and Hibbert aren't coming here. Same goes for guys like Hortford and Gasol (Marc). We need legitimate scoring on the block. Lopez would give us that, along with size. If he can get his rebounding numbers up, he helps us even more.

Thing is though, we probably won't end up with Lopez. Brooklyn will match any offer sheet, and if he's traded, he goes to Orlando. Maybe this move is our way of getting what we want out of this monster trade. Lopez is our first option, but if we don't get him, we get plan B in the trade.

EDIT: Seems I'm mistaken, if Lopez signs with Brooklyn the Dwight trade is done, so no plan B. Welp.
Funny how the name Gasol reminded me of this . The Lakers willing to give up Gasol for MKG
NOW THATS BIG, And speaks big about Cho and his drafting abilitys read the artical.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/07/10/3373393/lakers-will-rue-day-the-kidd-got.html
Sports center still says a deal for Howard will be done today . If not they will sign Lopez

[ND22]

Funny how the name Gasol reminded me of this . The Lakers willing to give up Gasol for MKG
NOW THATS BIG, And speaks big about Cho and his drafting abilitys read the artical.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/07/10/3373393/lakers-will-rue-day-the-kidd-got.html
Sports center still says a deal for Howard will be done today . If not they will sign Lopez

I could see this playing out:

Mitch Kupchak: "Hey Kahn, here's what we'll do. You get Charlotte's 2nd pick, and we'll trade you Pau Gasol for it."

David Kahn: "No shit? I'm down. Let me give Rich Cho a call, I got the perfect deal for him."

Kupchak: "Sounds good, I trust whatever the deal is will be enough to get them to bite."

*David Kahn phones Rich Cho*

Kahn: Chobot!! My man! What's going on?"

Rich Cho: *silence*

Kahn: "Right, so I was wondering, are you still shopping that #2 pick?"

Cho: "Yup."

Kahn: "Awesome. Well I am interested. So here's what I'll do for you. I'll trade you DERRICK WILLIAMS for the #2 pick."

Cho: *hangs up phone*

*Kahn calls Kupchak back*

Kahn: "Mitch!"

Kupchak: "You get the deal done?"

Kahn: "Yeah...about that, they weren't interested."

Kupchak: "What did you offer them?"

Kahn: "....Derrick Williams."

Kupchak: *silence*

Kahn: "But hey, how about you trade us Pau Gasol for Nikola Pekovic and the rights to his 'Where in the world is Nikola Pekovic?' TV spinoff?"

Kupchak: *hangs up phone*

Kahn: "Well, at least I got Chase Budinger."

[Black]

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine
Source close to process says Portland & Charlotte have indeed told Brook Lopez they're ready to sign him today to four-year max offer sheet

It's getting down to the wire. Stay tuned folks.

[BlockParty]

@netw3rk
RT @MikePradaSBN: . @HowardBeckNYT reports that Brook Lopez has a max offer sheet from another team on the table.

In the article http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/sports/basketball/nets-balancing-lopez-future-with-pursuit-of-howard.html?_r=2&smid=tw-share:


It was not immediately known which team was preparing the offer sheet, but three teams have the cap room to do so: the Charlotte Bobcats, the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Dallas would make a lot of sense, they have nearly unlimited money and have been the bridesmaid on just about every FA encounter this offseason

[akaseinfeld]

Interesting.

[akaseinfeld]

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine
In other words: That's B-Lopez's incentive NOT to just sign sheet w/Blazers or Bobcats. Waiting a little longer might get him fifth year

[ncstamey]

so he'd get to choose between Mavs, Blazers and Cats?

If so... we ain't gettin him.

[GoBobs]

I don't believe the bobcats and blazers have offered. That is just hype. The guy had a fractured foot which is serious injury.

[akaseinfeld]

John Schuhmann (http://twitter.com/johnschuhmann): Bobcats should probably have just drafted Lopez, instead of D.J. Augustin.

:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

[SWedd523]

I don't believe the bobcats and blazers have offered. That is just hype. The guy had a fractured foot which is serious injury.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69vkEcc-zfc

[westbrook08]

Ah' i knew this thread was coming today! lol. Let me just end all speculation.We are not getting lopez.It's not even a possibility.I heard one of the guys on espn radio talking about this yesterday and it is nothing more than a move to gain favor with lopez's agent.Brooklyn is willing to give lopez max money but they don't know about 5 years and they want to put all sorts of medical restrictions on it.If lopez signs an offer sheet with another team and immediately forces the nets to match then he gets all his money and he doesn't have to worry about losing any paychecks if he's hurt.Basically whatever team does this for lopez will have have the favor returned by his agent trying to steer one of his guys there in the future.It's the politics of sports and nothing more.He's not leaving to another team as a free agent.Not even a chance.

[BlockParty]

is nothing more than a move to gain favor with lopez's agent.

Same agent as Hendo, and maybe more important during this offseason...Jamison (though that decision is purely Antawn's)

http://hoopshype.com/agents/arn_tellem.htm

[westbrook08]

We also need a cheap big to back up biz and i could see him getting us sheldon williams really cheap.I know it's not glamorous, but jamison,williams,and starting future negotiations with hendo on friendly terms certainly wouldn't hurt.

[KembaSlice]

I don't care how well we're "in" with a players agent. If that player has a choice between us and another team, we have a small chance of getting that player.

Brett Jensen ‏@Brett_Jensen
Like I told @rick_bonnell today, the Bobcats HAVE to do something. They only have 4 inside guys on roster. They have to make a move.

I think we are actually interested in signing him. Not buying the agent crap.

[westbrook08]

I don't care how well we're "in" with a players agent. If that player has a choice between us and another team, we have a small chance of getting that player.

That's bullshit.We have a great young core with kemba,mkg,and biz.And were gonna be drafting really high again next year.The max players are easy to get deals done for.Most of the other guys it really comes down to what teams will give them what they want.And we're gonna have TONS of cap room soon.And think about this.If we are lucky enough to get nerlins noel or shabazz muhammed in the next draft and add that to biz,kemba ,and mkg,do you really think that a big time scorer or big man would balk @ coming here if we were basically one player away from contention and had the most money to offer them @ that point?I think charlotte will be considered a destination and not a fall back option in the very near future.

[KembaSlice]

Even if we do get Shabazz or Noel, I don't think we are one player away from contention or a very desirable destination. I trust in Cho and will stand by whatever move he makes. But we are a lot farther away from being desirable to FAs than people on here think.

[BETCATS]

Can't believe Cho would do this for any real reason other than trying to get in Brook's agent's pants. Which is probably exactly why.
If we actually get him for this price somehow, I'm gonna be pissed.

[westbrook08]

Well that's kind of funny because the media always talks about how players don't wanna be here yet all the guys who play here constantly talk how much they love area and want to stay.And Noel and Muhammed are both very likely to be franchise players.Next year is already being compared to when garnett and kobe both came out really young.These guys are the real deal.And i could definitely envision a scenario that if we landed one of them that with the core we already have that chris paul might seriously consider coming here.And in a dream scenario,maybe even recruit bynum to come too.Biz,kemba,mkg,and possibly even hendo are gonna be pretty damn good players.As they develop,people are gonna want to come here.And once the cba kicks in,the amount of money we have will make a big difference.Regardless of who we draft or have on the roster.Just my opinion though.

[MKGforpresident]

This is my first post... Been reading the forum for a while and Bobcats fan since I was at the first game with primoz lol...

I actually think we are interested in Lopez. He is only 24, a legit 7 footer, and most importantly an inside presence that is an established low-post scorer in the league. He has had a couple injuries but he's is a great NBA big man when he is healthy. Bizmack could move over to PF and then we have the lineup of Kemba, Hendo, MKG, Biz, and Lopez with BG comin in shootin off the bench. That is a solid young team with the opportunity to add more pieces in the draft.

[MadBOBCATfanUK]

probably saying to brooklyn, throw us a nice juicy bone from that Orlando trade, or we definitively end your pursuit of Dwight Howard. Nice way to flip the tables Cho now it's the flashy big market team held at gunpoint. Actually now I read into the agent situation I think it's more that. But way to try to screw over the Nets.

[westbrook08]

Well first of all welcome to forum.We're glad to have you aboard! I can assure you however that i listened to them talk about this for a solid 30 min yesterday and there's no way that brooklyn is giving up on howard and letting lopez walk.On top of that,lopez doesn't wanna leave brooklyn.This is something his agent was reaching out for other teams to do strictly so he can get his client what he wants.All these teams know that the nets will match immediately.They are just doing it for future favors from art tellam's firm.And it's also worth noting that the owner of the nets has made it clear that he wants a contender,not a playoff team once they move to the new arena this year.So even if he had to fire the gm,get on a plane,and then deliver the check personally,lopez won't be going anywhere unless it's in a trade.

[spectre]

probably saying to brooklyn, throw us a nice juicy bone from that Orlando trade, or we definitively end your pursuit of Dwight Howard. Nice way to flip the tables Cho now it's the flashy big market team held at gunpoint. Actually now I read into the agent situation I think it's more that. But way to try to screw over the Nets.


Yup. Lopez is RFA so BKN isn't letting him go. I do think we have interest however.

[westbrook08]

Of course from a basketball standpoint we would want him.I think everyone knows that.But we would be doing this for leverage and favors,with no real expectation of getting him.Our best chance is if he signs a sheet with us tonight and then breaks his leg coming down the stairs tomorrow for breakfast! lol. Other than that,i don't think he'll be in charlotte anytime soon.

[spectre]

It's really smart though. Figure Cho is asking for the moon to be a facillitator in this deal and BKN says we're asking too much. We say fine...we'll just screw the whole trade up and offer Lopez a contract on our own if you don't want to pay our price.

I think it's awesome we're using all our ammo at times like this.

[westbrook08]

Oh' i agree.Cho's the man!

[akaseinfeld]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA) Brook Lopez is still weighing a Charlotte offer sheet against the Nets 4-year max offer, with partial guarantees in 5th year, sources say.

[akaseinfeld]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA) Nets will match any offer sheet, but would be unable to trade Lopez without his OK for a full year under terms of CBA.

[Black]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA
Brook Lopez is still weighing a Charlotte offer sheet against the Nets 4-year max offer, with partial guarantees in 5th year, sources say.

10 characters

edit: Beat me to it.

[westbrook08]

Glad to see we're moving the needle on this.I bet the team that's really freakin out is houston.

[BETCATS]

Would we amnesty Diop or Tyrus if this shit does go down?

[akaseinfeld]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA (https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA) Brooklyn has reached agreement on a 4-year, $61 million max deal with Brook Lopez, league source tells Y! Sports

[Proudiddy]

Welp, back to hoping we can lure Yancey Gates to sign a 10-day with us after summer league... SMH...

[Chevalier au Lion]

I cannot understand why we want Lopez. Why we offer the max deal to a player who was injured all the last season and can´t rebound and defend.

[westbrook08]

We were offering this deal to force the nets hand.We knew that they would match or reach an agreement faster.It was a favor to his agent.Read the last 3 pages of the forum.But to answer your question,lopez is totally a max player.Did you see how little defense was played in the playoffs by post guys.Having a 5 who can drop almost 20 a night is probably harder to find than anything else in today's nba.You can find guys like kwame or joel anthony to be goalie type defenders for cheaper.

[Talent]

How many centers average 20 points in the league? He is worth a max deal more so than most of these players that are getting them.

[Plowright]

He is not worth a Max deal, lets be serious. Especially for us, it is not like he is the missing piece of the puzzle. The only reason the Nets gave him Max was because they think they can win a championship with the team they have. I am happy we missed out, would have taken away our CAP flexability

[ND22]

This is ridiculous. Our current crop of big men are Bismack, Mullens, Diop, and Tyrus. That's it. None of them have any offensive scoring ability, and only one of them holds any presence on the defensive end. We try to pay Brook Lopez max money because he can give us 20+ a game in the post, which is 20+ more than we were getting from there. Have we EVER had a 20+ scorer from the post? Do you know how much pressure that takes off of our shooters? But no, some of you are too concerned with how much cap room we won't have after this.

We all trust in Cho right? So if Rich Cho is on the phone trying to sign Brook Lopez for 5 years, you would trust he understands the hit it would have taken on our cap, right? Cho is running things here people, if he believes the team can still build the way he wants to build even after giving Brook Lopez $58 million dollars I'm going to trust him. This isn't him trying to get in the good graces of an agent. You don't offer $58 million dollars for that. Anyone who's saying this isn't like Cho...Cho made the offer!

At a certain point we're going to have to spend, and unfortunately, I don't see it being on the top tier of players. Its going to be on the 2nd and 3rd tier guys, are we're likely going to have to overpay, but we're going to overpay the guy that fits our team, and in my opinion Lopez would have fit our team.

[Black]

This is ridiculous. Our current crop of big men are Bismack, Mullens, Diop, and Tyrus. That's it. None of them have any offensive scoring ability, and only one of them holds any presence on the defensive end. We try to pay Brook Lopez max money because he can give us 20+ a game in the post, which is 20+ more than we were getting from there. Have we EVER had a 20+ scorer from the post? Do you know how much pressure that takes off of our shooters? But no, some of you are too concerned with how much cap room we won't have after this.

We all trust in Cho right? So if Rich Cho is on the phone trying to sign Brook Lopez for 5 years, you would trust he understands the hit it would have taken on our cap, right? Cho is running things here people, if he believes the team can still build the way he wants to build even after giving Brook Lopez $58 million dollars I'm going to trust him. This isn't him trying to get in the good graces of an agent. You don't offer $58 million dollars for that. Anyone who's saying this isn't like Cho...Cho made the offer!

At a certain point we're going to have to spend, and unfortunately, I don't see it being on the top tier of players. Its going to be on the 2nd and 3rd tier guys, are we're likely going to have to overpay, but we're going to overpay the guy that fits our team, and in my opinion Lopez would have fit our team.

Agreed, but it's a moot point anyway.