Post by Charlotte Bobcats on Feb 1, 2009 14:39:47 GMT -5
Charlotte Observer
3 games after a trade that sent Jordan Farmar and Ben Gordon to Denver for Josh Howard, the Bobcats have no more wins. Yes they have played two very elite Legends team in the Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz, but didn't appear to be in the same league (no pun intended) as the teams. The first game, a 7 point lose to the LA Clippers has to sting, though the Clippers have been playing great basketball as of late. The most troubling thing for GM Charles Boen has to be the play of PG Derrick Rose. He hasn't been in double figure in either asst. or points since the trade, and something has to be done. "I guess this team doesn't mesh well, and we are so far out of the playoff hunt now it's kind of sad." said the GM "Our schedule has been BRUTAL lately and we can't these guys to play, Coach Singletary is trying but nothing is working. I'm afraid it's time to start looking to next year, which there is nothing wrong with that we have a BRIGHT future. I would expect to see lots of moves for some of the veteran players such as Josh Howard, Al Harrington, Cuttino Mobley, SAR, Eddie Jones, and though he's not a veteran Darko Milliac." Though on a side note the Bobcats haven't totally given up, they have put Eddie Jones into the starting lineup for Cuttino Mobley in hope to get more defense on the court, and are still entertaining offers for their 09 1st round pick.
The Bobcats have a lot to look forward with a little over 21 M in cap space, they can offer the league max (5 years/$20 M a year) to any free agent in this next off season. Boen is notorious for the trade last year that helped The Detroit Pistons keep Dwight Howard, in which the Bobcats acquired TJ Ford at a very reduced price. I doubt we see any of that, but you never know? When asked about it Boen said "I'll do whatever trade I have too with anyone (this includes his SE division rivals) to make this team a better team. If I can get a good player that can't be resigned at a reduced price and be able to be the only to sign him, I will do that because Free Agency is never a guarantee." Though Boen wouldn't comment some FA targets have rumored to be Dallas F Shawn Marion, Phoenix F Ron Artest, T-wolves F Danny Granger, Blazers F Corey Maggette, and if none of them become FA's the rumor is Boen will bring one of his old favorites. Warriors Forward Charlie V. who is the perfect fit for Boen's "scoring forward" or David Lee who is a hard hustler and teamed up with Andris Biedrins could control the glass for years to come. They could both see themselves back in Charlotte if not resigned by their teams. This is mere speculation, and Boen will probably throw big bucks at any talent on the market.
The next part of the equation that the Bobcats have to look forward is (at this moment) 3 lottery picks. The highest belonging to the Bobcats is #11 right now, the Knicks at #8, and the Nuggets #7. This is by worst record, there is a draft lottery in the NBA and it could be higher or lower depending on the lotto balls. The Knicks are struggling in the loaded East and have yet to make a deal yet to fix there problems, and it's reported that their GM told Boen that "I will not trade with you unless our 1st round pick is involved," In other words, they don't think they will be getting any better. The Nuggets have made some trades for next year, and looks like they will work there way down the leagues ladder. Not sure what the plan with Andrea Bargnani is (recently acquired from the Pacers, former 1st overall of the Raptors in 2006) but there starting 5 has gone from Marbury/Bayless/Howard/Howard/Perkins to Bayless/Gordon/Barnes (maybe Bargs here?)/D12/Pernkins or maybe D12 at the 5 and Bargs at the 4? Not sure but the lose of Marbury will hurt this year, though it is understandable why they made the move when he doesn't have much basketball left. Even though they probably didn't mean to do it, the move helped the Bobcats a lot. "One of the reasons I sent Gordon to DEN was to weaken them to help our pick" said GM Charles Boen "That and to get under the cap thresh hold so I can throw max at a big stud player on the market. I guess third would be I thought he could helped us get in the playoffs, guess I was wrong?" Who knows what will happen, but expect a few trades before the deadline then just get through the rest of the year. Next year Bobcats fans look out because this team has a chance to be elite