Tough Question to Answer

[ohara831]

OK, here is the past and the future. We have to make the right call here, so let's calmly think this through:

Over the summer. we had to make a decision on picking up the options on May and Felts. We did so. Ray will cost us $4.2 mil for 08-09 season, and May will cost us $2.7 mil for 08-09.*In my opinion, we were right to pick up Ray's b/c I still beleive he will be a great PG. Problems now are just mental. I know that the team wanted May to bounce back after 2 disappointing seasons, but he could not complete either of his first two seasons, and they committed to him anyway. His work ethic was questioned, but they took a chance anyway. I fear it will backfire as I do not expect May to play again as he was out of shape to begin with, has never committed to being in shape, and will now be sidelined for likely 6 months before being allowed to start working out again. Do not think he has the make up to do it. That will be a wasted $2.7 mil unless we get him to retire and we get the Insurance benefit regarding salary hit.

**CURRENT ISSUE: Adam Morrison made $3 mil first year, and $3.25 for this year. The team holds the options on his 3rd and 4th yr. I am sure he is slated to be higher in 08-09 than this yr. Do we take the Option on him? That is a lot of $ which may go to a FA signing next yr if we let him go. Can he possibly return to some semblance of what we expected of him?

In light of his recent injury and what he is faced with in surgery, combined with his Diabetic condition which will make it tough to heal as well as one would hope, I am inclined to say "Do not pick up option." However, we can watch and see how he heals over this next 9 months or so. But come summer time, a decision must be made.

This is a tough issue, and not so wonderful to think of at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Adam and we all want the best for him. But this is a business decision. Sometimes making the right business decsion may seem like the cruel and heartless way to go, but the team has to make the right call here. Your thoughts?

[dav7z]

I am kinda disapointed in us picking up Mays option . Yes he can play when he does . But hes done little to help his self in this matter either.
In Morrison thats just somyhing you can't control. He was in shape playing defence. And was regaining his confidence. This is just a accident no one can control. My self im not ready to discuss the return of Ammo but im wishing him the best of luck. In hopes he can return.

[bobcatsden]

A healthy May for that salary is one of the biggest steals in the NBA. The Bobcats had to roll the dice on his being healthy, just in case it panned out. The upside was tremendous, and the downside (which is how it turned out) isn't the end of the world. The relatively small contract doesn't take up much cap room, and there clearly isn't an abundance of NBA-ready players out there who we would otherwise have signed.

As to Morrison, we probably shouldn't pick up his contract. It's going to be humbling for the Bobcats to admit that they're never going to get sufficient return out of a 3rd overall pick. But it's am admission they need to make.

[Mustachio]

its just way to early to tell. hes getting the surgery.... but no one knows how significant the recovery time will be. If hes back in the summer and playing hard... picking up his option might not be a bad idea.

if hes still recovering come preseason next year... it will be a tough decision but based on his salary and production (despite potential) it would be hard to pick up his option.

however the Bobcats dont HAVE to make that decision next year i dont believe. they can make it in his 4th year. i understand what your saying about money... but i think his 3 mil salary will be offset by losing Harrington, McInnis, and likely DA at the end of the season. that frees up roster space and well over 3 mil for Free Agent signings.

so what im saying is... no matter what they will at least keep him for year 3. because they will have roster space and extra cap to work with when signing any potential free agents.

[ohara831]

I see what you're saying Mustachio. You make some good points. (Glad to see you back on line with us!) I would wait until Spring to see how the healing is coming. But, IF it is not coming well, then I think I would refrain from picking up yr #3. We are a young team with Crash, Ray, Oak and J-Rich. If we have an available 6-7 mil coming off the payroll, that gives us a real good edge on the competition when it comes to going after a FA big to play alongside Oak. Again, I want to emphasize that I would wait until Spring to make the decision, but I would make it prior to year #3 rather than prior to #4 as that significant amount of money can allow us to make a big move in FA next year when others are more restricted.

[qchoops]

I would think this would be partly influenced by whether or not the team is able to re-sign Herrmann, once his deal runs out this year. If Herrmann does re-sign, I would have to think it would lessen the likelihood. I would tend to think the team should pick up the option on Morrison, if only because I'd rather the team spend the 3ish million to see what they have in him, rather than let him walk away and sign with another team and bounce back.

[davcbow]

Im now looking towards next season and just trying to compete this season because I think our team has just too many injuries. The starting team is mostly still on the floor but our bench is thin, Felton is still learning his position and learning how to score. Id try my best to be able to extend Herrmann's contract because in my opinion; he dont get hurt much, he plays his heart out and he does contribute good minutes when he is in the game. May and Morrison are both "iffy" at this point to say the least. Harrington is Harrington injury or not, Dudley is still ? with his turf toe. Davidson has 1 bad game and coach benches him. So Im writing off this season because of the re-learning curve. Coach is still learning the team, the team is still learning the coach. We as a team are kinda stuck between a rock and a hard spot and its going to be very difficult to crawl out from under it. I pray for the best for our team and also that May and Morrison both heal completely, but in a bussiness sence the right moves need to be made to become the team we all want, I dont see that happening till next season.

[bizzlecatz]

Im now looking towards next season and just trying to compete this season because I think our team has just too many injuries. The starting team is mostly still on the floor but our bench is thin, Felton is still learning his position and learning how to score. Id try my best to be able to extend Herrmann's contract because in my opinion; he dont get hurt much, he plays his heart out and he does contribute good minutes when he is in the game. May and Morrison are both "iffy" at this point to say the least. Harrington is Harrington injury or not, Dudley is still ? with his turf toe. Davidson has 1 bad game and coach benches him. So Im writing off this season because of the re-learning curve. Coach is still learning the team, the team is still learning the coach. We as a team are kinda stuck between a rock and a hard spot and its going to be very difficult to crawl out from under it. I pray for the best for our team and also that May and Morrison both heal completely, but in a bussiness sence the right moves need to be made to become the team we all want, I dont see that happening till next season.

This coming from Davcbow, who's always positive. Now I 'm really worried.

[bobcatsden]

Yikes - lots of sky-is-falling chatter. We still have Okafor, Wallace, Richardson, and Felton. That's always been the foursome that mattered. I don't think Morrison's injury is worth throwing in the towel on this season .... far from it.

But.... just think, the absolute WORST case scenario is that we regress and wind up with another lottery pick. Kosta Koufos or Roy Hibbert would make nice consolation prizes.

[davcbow]

But.... just think, the absolute WORST case scenario is that we regress and wind up with another lottery pick.

Dont get me wrong guys; I hope for the best and pray for even better. I love the Bobcats and will always pull for them through thick and thin. I just hope Felton gets his head right and Dudley's toe heals and Harrington? whatever.

Im sure things will not be as dismal as they seem right now but right now Im just bummed out to the max and see lottery pick....