just for debate

[Chef]

what do you guys think of this:

assumption: we are not going to resign ray to the contract he will want

trade:
cle:
ray
diop
graham

bobs:
hickson
jawad williams
big z
#1

we waive z so he can go back for their #1. if not not #1.

why we do it: to get something for ray and get a power forward. plus we lose diop
why they do it: ray starts for mo for the next month or so while he heals. they don't have to rush him back. he instantly becomes the best back up in the league though the playoffs.

why we wouldn't. do we really want to eff up our first serious playoff season?

[Slam]

IF we aren't going to sign him then it would be better to get something for him rather than nothing (see: The Bulls) while dumping a contract (Gana) at the same time.

[ND22]

That's a big "if", and my guess is, "if" we don't do something like this, we want him back, which all signs seem to be leading to. A young forward like Hickson and a 1st round pick would be nice though.

[spectre]

That would "f" up our playoff chances so I'd assume we wouldn't do that.

As Slam said tho IF the plan is not to sign him then absolutely...need to get something. CLE would offer him a chance at a ring, but it would also kill his Bird Rights. I'm not so sure he'd be willing to do that...esp. if he wants to stay.

Remember Crash had all sorts of offers but wanted to stay in Charlotte. There's a lure to players who've been here during the losing and wanting to stay here during the upturn.

I'm going to assume we want to keep him however.

[tondi]

With our draft history, I'm not sure an extremely low 1st round pick would be particularly valuable.

[teej]

I think, and this is a thought remember, that since we're making the playoffs, Bob J is (wait for it................................................ ..) going to be willing to spend over the luxury tax. Between him and MJ, the money is clearly there, and he's only said in the past he isn't willing to do it for a non-playoff team. To me, if this team makes the playoffs and is remotely competitive in the first round, he'll pay to keep Ray. Also, now that Ray sees us winning and has Jack and Crash as his friends, he may take less.

Plus, with TC, Lexy and Nazzy expiring next year, they might figure they could trade one or two of them for some relief and still be competitive.

Anyways, I don't think we'll trade Ray, since his only real chance to make money is here (and he knows that).

[Slam]

CLE would offer him a chance at a ring, but it would also kill his Bird Rights. I'm not so sure he'd be willing to do that...esp. if he wants to stay.

He'd also be 2nd fiddle behind MO - which I don't think would be that attractive to him.

What team (style and PG need wise) would be the perfect fit for him?

The way he has been knocking down the 3 ball this season, maybe he would work in the triangle for the Lakers?

I'd LOVE to see him get up and down with the Knicks - although with no real help there at the 2, I wonder if he would revert back to having to be "the man", which doesn't work for him.

I could see him seriously helping the Pacers.

Not saying he would WANT to go to any of those team, not saying we AREN'T going to sign him, just thinking for his style of play and what they need, these might be the best fits?

[teej]

^Only team I could see him accepting of those is the Lakers.

But I don't see anything they have we'd take for him.

[docend24]

(Without loooking at the contracts) I don't like it.

Just in case, could we sign him back in summer if we actually did such a trade?

And as unprobable it sounds, Gana might be finding his way to be efficient once more, so there is a hope he won't be just deadweight this year. On the ohter hand his improvement is well timed to showcase before the trade deadline.

[spectre]

We're all worried about what he might want and he did play some hardball with the FO (assuming the FO made a legitimate offer and didn't low ball him) by taking the QO. Felton didn't really risk much though because he knew he had that QO...he WOULD be back this year.

Next year how hard do you think it'll be for him to actually leave? He wants to be here...he's been thru the losing and we're starting to turn it around. Just how difficult would it be for him to actually sign a contract with another team?

I think we still get him at a good deal next season. Could be reading it all wrong...but in the end I think he'll want to stay too much.