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Fixing the Charlotte Bobcats: a fan’s financial outlook
The Charlotte Bobcats are a team that looked like a promising franchise in 2009, when the team made its very first playoff appearance. The team had acquired Tyson Chandler from the New Orleans Hornets and Gerald Wallace made his first all-star appearance for the team averaging 18.2 points, 10 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game that season. The Charlotte Bobcats would be swept in four-games by the first round by the Orlando Magic and the team has struggled to put together a winning roster.
Following that season, Charlotte failed to resign Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton starting the collapse of a promising franchise. Then a 9-16 record caused Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown to be dismissed as the head coach of the young team. Gerald Wallace would be sent to Portland in a cap saving move for a few bench players and two picks. Since then the Charlotte Bobcats have had a media circus around Michael Jordan and his inability to be an owner and a general manager. The team has had three head coaches in three years and soon to add it’s forth head coach with Steve Clifford.
The team hoisted a league worst wining percentage during a lockout season posting 7 wins and 59 losses in 2011-12. This year the team posted a season record of 21-61 and the roster is showing a steady improvement since the hiring of General Manager Rich Cho. Cho background in scouting talent through mathematical computer databases has seemed to help the Bobcats as it did the Seattle Supersonics who drafted Kevin Durant and then Russell Westbrook as Oklahoma City. However, how many more painful losing seasons will the city of Charlotte have to endure before the team reaches the playoffs again?
For a young franchise with 10 years in the league and can barely fill an arena with fans maybe on a relocation package if the team doesn’t see an improvement. The team ranked 25th in attendance this year and 28th in 2012. It is time for Michael Jordan and Rich Cho to take a gamble on improving the roster and make a huge splash in the free agent market. The Bobcats have accumulated a few key young talents through the draft like Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Bismack Biyombo under Rich Cho and made salary saving. Though, this team still has a lot of work to be done.
As the 2013 NBA Draft the Bobcats once again fail to land the number one pick and have had a series of draft blunders in the past. This draft has been so-called weak and very few stars available leaving Charlotte in a tough predicament with the number four pick. Their shooting guard Gerald Henderson should be leaving through free agency and Center Byron Mullens should garner interest as a restricted free agent. Charlotte cant’ afford to over spend on keeping mediocre starters on this roster. Likely, Charlotte is to either address the shooting guard position by drafting Indiana University’s Victor Olidipo or try and trade down in the draft. Victor Olidipo’s is the best pick for the Bobcats because he has a high motor and can bring perimeter defense to a team that finished 29th in defense. Many mock drafts have the Bobcats taking Alex Len a potential star who’s still very raw. Len is a prospect that needs the most work out of this draft on both the defensive and offensive end and Charlotte doesn’t have time to waste. Plus, there are many big name centers available in this year free agency.
When free agency come around the Charlotte Bobcats must look at the financial situation they are in. The team has some money to spend and an amnesty provision they must use by July 17. The signing of Tyrus Thomas just hasn’t panned out and not taking him off their books this off-season would be foolish. In using the amnesty clause on Tyrus Thomas the Bobcats look to save 17 million dollars over the next two seasons and decrease their cap space in 2013, from 40 million to 32 million. This years NBA salary cap is at 58.5 million dollars and a luxury tax threshold of 71.6 million dollars. This allows the Bobcats roughly 25-40 million dollars in spending money to address team needs in free agency.
With big names like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul available the Bobcats clearly will not lure either of those superstars in. Even though Chris Paul has mentioned going home to play for his hometown and signed a deal with the Jordan Brand. Neither of these players will suit up in a Charlotte Bobcats uniform but there are many alternatives that the Bobcats should look at. The biggest name in free agency Michael Jordan should address is Andrew Bynum.
Andrew Bynum, only 25, is a player who took a last season off in Philadelphia with an injury. When healthy Andrew Bynum is the second best center in the NBA and showed he is a dominating force with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2011-12, Bynum managed season averages of 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks. Adding Bynum, the Bobcats can address three of there biggest needs on defense. The Bobcats allowed 102.7 points per game, 28th in the league, and 44.6 points allowed in the paint, 27th in the league, and let alone the team secured 44.6 rebounds per game which ranks 26th in amongst teams. Andrew Bynum is a missing piece that the Bobcats should look at. Steve Clifford spent time with Dwight Howard in Orlando, and Bynum could become a dominant force again. Plus, the addition of Bynum allows a balance attack on both ends with Walker and Henderson.
Addressing the salary that Bynum would require him to accept a 4-year 80 million dollar deal. He based salary would be 16 million with a 4.5% incentives on staying healthy. This deal would be much similar to the deal Amare Stoudemire signed with the Knicks in 2011. If Bynum decides to sign with the Bobcats, it’ll allow Bismack Biyombo to slide down to his more natural position of a PF. With both players in the paint, no one should score with their length and defensive presence.
After the signing of Andrew Bynum, the Bobcats need to address outside shooting. Ben Gordon became more of a sideshow under coach Mike Dunlap. His locker room presence was unprofessional and toxic and Steve Clifford needs to get a good idea where he fits in. Trading Gordon could be a potential problem because he is in the final year of his deal with 10 million dollars coming off his books. Trading Gordon for a Kris Humphries sounded great until Kris Humphries had a lackluster year for the Brooklyn Nets this year. Another name that has been brought up for the Bobcats is Andrea Bargnarni. However, Bargnarni has 20 million dollars owed to him over the next two years. That’s ridiculous for a team looking to shed salaries. I believe buying out Ben Gordon is beneficial for the team to develop or keeping him until the end of his deal. By buying Gordon out they can pay him 4 million of his 10 million and allow him to play for a contender. Makes sense for both parties to part ways and move if they clear another 6 million dollars there is a good possibility the Bobcats could sign Duke favorite J.J. Redick. I doubt Milwaukee would let J.J. slip so they team will be stuck matching Gerald Henderson’s restricted free agent deal on a mid-level exception.
So far the Bobcats don’t look like they’ve done much but they have already improved with just two signings. The roster contains now point guards Kemba Walker and his compliment Ramon Sessions off the bench. Victor Olidipo and Gerald Henderson will compete for the shooting guard spot. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist secures the starting small forward spot with backup help from Reggie Williams and Jeff Taylor. Jeff Taylor was a highly touted defensive guard and capable of hitting shots coming out of college and should develop in his second year.
Next thing is let Reggie Williams walk or sign him to a cheap deal no more than 3 million dollars. The power forward position needs to be address through the draft but in a different way. The Houston Rockets are looking to unload Thomas Robinson’s contract for cheap so they can make a run at both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. Thomas Robinson’s deal could be two second-round picks or they’re 2014 first round pick the Portland Trailblazers owe them for the Gerald Wallace deal. Adding Robinson, the Bobcats get a hard working, athletic basketball player willing to expand his potential. Steve Clifford would love this kid on both sides of the ball since he gives you 110%. With the right coaching he can become a consistent offensive post player.
With the addition of Thomas Robinson and resigning Josh McRoberts brings a post presence and hard working players to the power forward position. This will secure their paint problems and had a new toughness to the roster. Now with the center position secure with Bynum and Biyombo and Brendan Haywood as a third option. The rest of the team needs to be filled with solid veterans and an undrafted rookie like Seth Curry. The Bobcats would be a force to recon with in the east if they followed this blueprint. However, this isn’t NBA 2K13 where you can make incredible rosters out of nothing. Sorry Bobcats fans, you are going to suffer another year without playoffs with Michael Jordan as your owner.
The Charlotte Bobcats are a team that looked like a promising franchise in 2009, when the team made its very first playoff appearance. The team had acquired Tyson Chandler from the New Orleans Hornets and Gerald Wallace made his first all-star appearance for the team averaging 18.2 points, 10 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game that season. The Charlotte Bobcats would be swept in four-games by the first round by the Orlando Magic and the team has struggled to put together a winning roster.
Following that season, Charlotte failed to resign Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton starting the collapse of a promising franchise. Then a 9-16 record caused Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown to be dismissed as the head coach of the young team. Gerald Wallace would be sent to Portland in a cap saving move for a few bench players and two picks. Since then the Charlotte Bobcats have had a media circus around Michael Jordan and his inability to be an owner and a general manager. The team has had three head coaches in three years and soon to add it’s forth head coach with Steve Clifford.
The team hoisted a league worst wining percentage during a lockout season posting 7 wins and 59 losses in 2011-12. This year the team posted a season record of 21-61 and the roster is showing a steady improvement since the hiring of General Manager Rich Cho. Cho background in scouting talent through mathematical computer databases has seemed to help the Bobcats as it did the Seattle Supersonics who drafted Kevin Durant and then Russell Westbrook as Oklahoma City. However, how many more painful losing seasons will the city of Charlotte have to endure before the team reaches the playoffs again?
For a young franchise with 10 years in the league and can barely fill an arena with fans maybe on a relocation package if the team doesn’t see an improvement. The team ranked 25th in attendance this year and 28th in 2012. It is time for Michael Jordan and Rich Cho to take a gamble on improving the roster and make a huge splash in the free agent market. The Bobcats have accumulated a few key young talents through the draft like Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Bismack Biyombo under Rich Cho and made salary saving. Though, this team still has a lot of work to be done.
As the 2013 NBA Draft the Bobcats once again fail to land the number one pick and have had a series of draft blunders in the past. This draft has been so-called weak and very few stars available leaving Charlotte in a tough predicament with the number four pick. Their shooting guard Gerald Henderson should be leaving through free agency and Center Byron Mullens should garner interest as a restricted free agent. Charlotte cant’ afford to over spend on keeping mediocre starters on this roster. Likely, Charlotte is to either address the shooting guard position by drafting Indiana University’s Victor Olidipo or try and trade down in the draft. Victor Olidipo’s is the best pick for the Bobcats because he has a high motor and can bring perimeter defense to a team that finished 29th in defense. Many mock drafts have the Bobcats taking Alex Len a potential star who’s still very raw. Len is a prospect that needs the most work out of this draft on both the defensive and offensive end and Charlotte doesn’t have time to waste. Plus, there are many big name centers available in this year free agency.
When free agency come around the Charlotte Bobcats must look at the financial situation they are in. The team has some money to spend and an amnesty provision they must use by July 17. The signing of Tyrus Thomas just hasn’t panned out and not taking him off their books this off-season would be foolish. In using the amnesty clause on Tyrus Thomas the Bobcats look to save 17 million dollars over the next two seasons and decrease their cap space in 2013, from 40 million to 32 million. This years NBA salary cap is at 58.5 million dollars and a luxury tax threshold of 71.6 million dollars. This allows the Bobcats roughly 25-40 million dollars in spending money to address team needs in free agency.
With big names like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul available the Bobcats clearly will not lure either of those superstars in. Even though Chris Paul has mentioned going home to play for his hometown and signed a deal with the Jordan Brand. Neither of these players will suit up in a Charlotte Bobcats uniform but there are many alternatives that the Bobcats should look at. The biggest name in free agency Michael Jordan should address is Andrew Bynum.
Andrew Bynum, only 25, is a player who took a last season off in Philadelphia with an injury. When healthy Andrew Bynum is the second best center in the NBA and showed he is a dominating force with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2011-12, Bynum managed season averages of 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks. Adding Bynum, the Bobcats can address three of there biggest needs on defense. The Bobcats allowed 102.7 points per game, 28th in the league, and 44.6 points allowed in the paint, 27th in the league, and let alone the team secured 44.6 rebounds per game which ranks 26th in amongst teams. Andrew Bynum is a missing piece that the Bobcats should look at. Steve Clifford spent time with Dwight Howard in Orlando, and Bynum could become a dominant force again. Plus, the addition of Bynum allows a balance attack on both ends with Walker and Henderson.
Addressing the salary that Bynum would require him to accept a 4-year 80 million dollar deal. He based salary would be 16 million with a 4.5% incentives on staying healthy. This deal would be much similar to the deal Amare Stoudemire signed with the Knicks in 2011. If Bynum decides to sign with the Bobcats, it’ll allow Bismack Biyombo to slide down to his more natural position of a PF. With both players in the paint, no one should score with their length and defensive presence.
After the signing of Andrew Bynum, the Bobcats need to address outside shooting. Ben Gordon became more of a sideshow under coach Mike Dunlap. His locker room presence was unprofessional and toxic and Steve Clifford needs to get a good idea where he fits in. Trading Gordon could be a potential problem because he is in the final year of his deal with 10 million dollars coming off his books. Trading Gordon for a Kris Humphries sounded great until Kris Humphries had a lackluster year for the Brooklyn Nets this year. Another name that has been brought up for the Bobcats is Andrea Bargnarni. However, Bargnarni has 20 million dollars owed to him over the next two years. That’s ridiculous for a team looking to shed salaries. I believe buying out Ben Gordon is beneficial for the team to develop or keeping him until the end of his deal. By buying Gordon out they can pay him 4 million of his 10 million and allow him to play for a contender. Makes sense for both parties to part ways and move if they clear another 6 million dollars there is a good possibility the Bobcats could sign Duke favorite J.J. Redick. I doubt Milwaukee would let J.J. slip so they team will be stuck matching Gerald Henderson’s restricted free agent deal on a mid-level exception.
So far the Bobcats don’t look like they’ve done much but they have already improved with just two signings. The roster contains now point guards Kemba Walker and his compliment Ramon Sessions off the bench. Victor Olidipo and Gerald Henderson will compete for the shooting guard spot. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist secures the starting small forward spot with backup help from Reggie Williams and Jeff Taylor. Jeff Taylor was a highly touted defensive guard and capable of hitting shots coming out of college and should develop in his second year.
Next thing is let Reggie Williams walk or sign him to a cheap deal no more than 3 million dollars. The power forward position needs to be address through the draft but in a different way. The Houston Rockets are looking to unload Thomas Robinson’s contract for cheap so they can make a run at both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. Thomas Robinson’s deal could be two second-round picks or they’re 2014 first round pick the Portland Trailblazers owe them for the Gerald Wallace deal. Adding Robinson, the Bobcats get a hard working, athletic basketball player willing to expand his potential. Steve Clifford would love this kid on both sides of the ball since he gives you 110%. With the right coaching he can become a consistent offensive post player.
With the addition of Thomas Robinson and resigning Josh McRoberts brings a post presence and hard working players to the power forward position. This will secure their paint problems and had a new toughness to the roster. Now with the center position secure with Bynum and Biyombo and Brendan Haywood as a third option. The rest of the team needs to be filled with solid veterans and an undrafted rookie like Seth Curry. The Bobcats would be a force to recon with in the east if they followed this blueprint. However, this isn’t NBA 2K13 where you can make incredible rosters out of nothing. Sorry Bobcats fans, you are going to suffer another year without playoffs with Michael Jordan as your owner.