I was just thinking about the Bobcats after the game tonight. They signed Big Al. They seem like a team that actually wants to win games and be competitive.
I just want to throw out this idea and see what people think of it. I'm still of the opinion that Boston wants to bottom out this year, collect future assets, dump the overpaid vets and build around youth.
green = assetsblue = expiring contractsred = bad contractsBoston Trades:
Rajon Rondo - 12 million/2 yearsGerald Wallace - 10 million/3 years
Brandon Bass - 7 million/2 years
Courtney Lee - 5.2 million/3 yearsBobcats Trade:
Ben Gordon - 13 mil expiring
Ramon Sessions - 5 mil expiringCody Zeller (age: 21) - 4 mil/4 years
Bismack Biyombo (age: 21) - 3 mil/2 years
Kemba Walker (age: 23) - 2.6 mil/2 yearsFuture 1st rounderhttp://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=k7nymk7Why for Boston?: Yes, we'd be giving up Rondo. But we'd also be dumping the garbage contracts of Wallace, Bass and Lee. #1 - That would give us
30 million dollars in cap space in the offseason. Not saying we'd sign them, but it's fair to mention that we'd have money to offer two max deals to a free agent class that involves players such as LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. Just sayin... #2 - It would help us bottom out this season and get us even closer to adding a franchise player through the draft. #3 - Zeller, Biyombo and Walker are fine young assets to add to our collection. If they gave up a 1st rounder, that'd be amazing. #4 - Dumping Wallace and Bass means more minutes for Oly/Fav/Sully/Zeller/Biyombo. Really, if you think about it there is a TON to love about that trade.
Why not for Boston?: There's literally only one reason... and that's giving up Rajon Rondo. But I'd rather take 30 million in cap space, a better shot at this epic draft and multiple assets.
Why for Charlotte?: Rondo, obviously. You put Rondo out there with Al Jefferson, Gerald Henderson and MKG, you have a nice little foundation for the return of the Charlotte Hornets. Brandon Bass is a capable starting big whose mid-range shots would compliment Jefferson's inside game. Lee is a solid and serviceable veteran. Wallace is still capable of producing and contributing to a playoff team. If the Bobcats did that, I think they'd probably finally be a playoff team.
Why not for Charlotte?: As appealing as Rondo is, do they really have the sand to give up on the #4 pick this year (Zellar) as well as Walker and Biyombo? Will Rondo really make that big of an impact on the team? Do they really want to lock into a bunch of mediocre vets at high salary? Wallace is the worst contract of the bunch... that said, in 2 years he becomes a valuable expiring contract that they can flip.
Thoughts?