The Great Raymond Felton Debate

[spectre]

Bobcats wrap-up: Felton hopes, talks like he'll be back

CHARLOTTE — You’d think it would be the best of times for Charlotte Bobcats guard Raymond Felton.

After all, the fifth-year guard finally realized his goal of making the playoffs this season as Felton helped the six-year-old franchise make its first postseason appearance.

Instead, Felton will enter this offseason — as will many Bobcats fans, players and even management — with a great deal of uncertainty.

There’s no doubt that clearing up the questions surrounding the status of head coach Larry Brown is a top priority for the franchise. Brown has two years left on his head coaching contract, but reports have swirled about the possibility of his leaving the franchise for the Philadelphia 76ers so he can be closer to his wife and family.

But as soon as Brown’s status is cleared up, figuring out what to do with Felton has to be the next order of business. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound point guard is an unrestricted free agent.

This side of a disappointing showing against Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson in the playoffs, Felton seemed to show the kind of improvement many in the organization expected of him this year. He averaged 12.1 points, 5.6 assists and 2.1 turnovers per game this season and appeared to endear himself to Brown and his teammates in the process.

“We made the playoffs happen,” Felton said in assessing the season. “Unfortunately, we didn’t do what we wanted to do in the playoffs. We’ll have to do better next season.”

When asked why that sounds like a player who expects to return, Felton said that’s undoubtedly his preference.

“I want to be here and they know I want to be here,” said Felton, the fifth overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft — or just two months after he helped the University of North Carolina to the 2005 NCAA title.

Still, Felton reportedly turned down a six-year, $40 million contract offer from the Bobcats last summer before signing the predetermined one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer last September.

“I’d rather not talk about it other than to say it’s a business and I understand that,” Felton said.

Many players have struggled mightily — or at least been frustrated — when going through a “contract year” like Felton just did.

But Felton never seemed to play pressured at all this season.

“I’m a strong-minded, strong-hearted person,” Felton said. “And what is there to stress about? You’re playing basketball. So I don’t have time to be frustrated by any of that.”

Felton’s attitude is admirable, but this summer it’ll be interesting to see how much he’s offered — and by whom — since he can negotiate with all 30 NBA teams.

“Personally, he’s been phenomenal for me to coach,” Bobcats coach Larry Brown said of Felton at Friday’s seasonal review news conference. “He comes to every practice and every game and tries with all he has. But when you look at our situation financially, that’s a decision (majority owner) Michael (Jordan) has got to make.”

[DY_nasty]

So.... because he doesn't go on twitter about his free agency options like Chris Bosh it means that he's gonna be back?

...

[spectre]

So.... because he doesn't go on twitter about his free agency options like Chris Bosh it means that he's gonna be back?

...

Interesting that you got that out of the article I posted.

The only real news was the 6 year 40 million line which was new to me (I'd heard the more generic 7 per). The rest is just things that have been said throughout Felton's RFA/FA.

[DY_nasty]

Just sayin...

As a guy in journalism, it irks me to look at a headline like that considering whats actually in the article.

I thought the 6/40 deal was the initial offer that Felton later rejected and (rightfully) laughed at.

[spectre]

I didn't realize he got more than one offer.

IMO from the FO's position I don't think it was bad, nor would I blame Felton for rejecting it. Given his RFA status and the FA market this year where a lot of teams have space it was most likely all about business.

Higgins even said as much earlier this year.

In regards to the title, I didn't see any of the "hopes to be back"...so I agree it could have been a little more geared to the content. I like Walker though; he tends to throw little tidbits out there that we don't normally see from other sources.

Journalism eh? Working now or school? Sports journalism?

Edit:

Just saw the Bull City...I'm in Raleigh. Nice to see other NC fans getting on board outside the dreaded 100 mile radius.

[DY_nasty]

I'm actually in Charlotte right now. School and all that stuff. Sports Management major out at Johnson C. Smith btw.

The Bobcats practically gave away the tickets on our campus. I just happened to slip up and fall in love with the team.

About Ray though, I don't see him staying for cheap unless someone makes love to contract negotiations.

[davcbow]

Bobcats wrap-up: Felton hopes, talks like he'll be back

To me that sounds like it can go either way, there is no clear direction established yet....

[BRNC]

If LB does return it is hard to imagine (given the relationship between LB and DJ) the FO will not extend every effort to retain Ray...will be interesting to say the least...

[GoBobs]

Felton is a very good player, but he hasn't proven he is a game changing player in this league. Problem for him is really good players don't get paid nearly as much as stars. I think Felton should get something right around what he got this year. That puts him between Jared Jack and Marvin Williams which are two comparable talents. My max offer would be like 3 years 16 mil with the last year a player option or 6 years 35 mil with a player option in the 5th and 6th year. I think that is a situation where both sided can win a little bit. Felton gets a valuable player option in case he shows breakout improvement. The Bobcats get to sign him for less then they offered last summer.

I think I might also offer the same thing to Tyrus Thomas if he would rather do that then play under the qualifying offer.

[spectre]

I don't understand why we'd offer less this season than we did last year considering his improvement. Of course in all honestly I'm surprised the FO was willing to go as high as it did last summer as I don't think last year's play justified it.

The 6 yr/40 million would have broken down like this (w/ 10.5% raises):

5.281
5.834
6.389
6.944
7.498
8.053

That's starting out less than what his QO was this year. That's also slightly less than the MLE (which by definition is "average"). From that perspective it's almost a no brainer for him to have turned it down.

The question isn't whether he's worth that IMO, but whether the FO wants to stick with him or look in another direction (whether for financial reasons or something else). Thing is as BRNC said...if LB comes back the 3rd reason comes into play; is there an alternative to Felton that he can live with?

If LB doesn't come back I'm much more amenable to going in another direction. I don't think Felton has "maxed out" in potential like some do...but I question if another coach could get it out of him like LB could.