Bobcats Trade Rumors

Bobcats Extend Offer Sheet to Carl Landry
0 Comment
September 24
NBA.com
 
"Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has extended an offer sheet to restricted free agent Carl Landry. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed. In accordance with the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Landry’s current team, the Houston Rockets, will have seven days to decide whether to match the offer. “Landry is an emerging NBA talent, as evidenced by his play over the final 42 regular-season games and into the Rockets first-round playoff appearance,” Higgins said. “His ability to play both the power forward and center position will complement our post play.” In his rookie season with Houston, Landry (6-9, 248 pounds) averaged 8.1 points and ..."
Bobcats GM not looking to deal Okafor
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July 26
Charlotte Observer
 
"Charlotte Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins says he's not pursuing a sign-and-trade deal to resolve Emeka Okafor's restricted free-agency. However, Higgins also sees a downside to Okafor signing a one-year qualifying offer. "Our comfort level probably wouldn't be so good. You'd have him for a year," before Okafor could leave without compensation next summer, Higgins said. Higgins was addressing a report in Tuesday's Observer that negotiations with Okafor reached an impasse. A source familiar with the negotiations said the Bobcats are offering less now than they did a summer ago and Okafor now prefers a sign-and-trade to another NBA franchise. "We're still holding out hope that we can get ..."
Bobcats, Okafor at an impasse
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July 22
Charlotte Observer
 
"As things stand now, Emeka Okafor will be an ex-Charlotte Bobcat by the end of next season, if not sooner. Negotiations between Okafor and the Bobcats are at an impasse, an informed source told the Observer, with the team offering less now than the $12million-plus annual salary it did a year ago. A restricted free agent, center-forward Okafor now wants a sign-and-trade to another team, the source said, and is not inclined to remain with the Bobcats long-term. Okafor's alternative would be signing a one-year qualifying offer with Charlotte, worth roughly $7million, then becoming an unrestricted free agent in July 2009."
Looking at the possible NBA Seattle might be able to lure
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July 13
Seattle Times
 
"As distasteful as it may seem for many local basketball fans, Seattle officials can learn a lot from Clay Bennett as they attempt to lure an NBA team. "If you're going to play this game and win, you must have commitments from three places: the private sector, the public sector and the NBA," said Marc Ganis, president of Sportscorp Ltd., a Chicago-based sports-industry consulting firm. "Oklahoma City had all three." Now that the dust has settled from the surprising July 2 settlement between the city of Seattle and Bennett, which allowed him to pay $45 million and immediately move the team, local officials face the cold realization that securing another franchise is no slam dunk. In ..."
Team intends to keep Okafor
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July 12
Charlotte Observer
 
"Charlotte Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins reinforced Friday that the team wants to retain Emeka Okafor. Higgins stopped short of adding, "at any price". "Our intentions are to keep Emeka," Higgins said, when asked about the Los Angeles Clippers' reported interest in Charlotte's restricted free-agent big man. The Clippers recently lost Elton Brand to the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving them with about $12million in salary-cap room and a hole at power forward. The Clippers hosted Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith recently."
Okafor playing waiting game
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July 11
Charlotte Observer
 
"The negotiations have been courteous. Okafor went out of his way last season to say he appreciated what the Bobcats offered, and that his preference is to stay with the team that drafted him four years ago. Still, there's no sense reaching free agency unless you're open to changing teams. The flavor of the moment is the Clippers, whose loss of Elton Brand leaves them short a power forward but holding abundant salary-cap room."
Clippers could pursue Okafor
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July 9
Charlotte Observer
 
"Elton Brand's reported decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers rather than remain a Los Angeles Clipper could be bad news for the Charlotte Bobcats regarding Emeka Okafor. The Clippers now have a bundle under the salary cap and an obvious need for a power forward to complement center Chris Kaman in Brand's absence. NBA insiders expect the Clippers to consider signing one of two restricted free agents - Okafor or Atlanta Hawk Josh Smith - with the abundant cap room they now possess."
Charlotte Looking To Move Up In Draft
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June 26
New York Post
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"Last night a league source said that Charlotte was closing in on a deal with Memphis that would give the Bobcats the fifth pick, with their eye on Westbrook or Kevin Love."
Should Bobcats trade for Varejao?
3 Comment
June 24
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Cavaliers have to determine whether it's worth re-signing Varejao in the summer of 2009 at what figures to be a significantly higher price. A columnist from the Akron Beacon-Journal suggested Tuesday that it's time to look to trade Varejao. That's where this could get interesting for the Bobcats. Varejao's motor and versatility as a big man would be a good complement to Emeka Okafor, who needs to stay close to the basket offensively and defensively to be effective."
Kevin McHale expects trade talks to start heating up for No. 3 pick
1 Comment
June 24
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Timberwolves held their final pre-draft workouts Monday, looking at three prospects, including a pair of projected top-10 guards in Arizona's Jerryd Bayless and Indiana's Eric Gordon. Vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale, in his last media session before Thursday's NBA draft, said he expects trade offers for the Wolves' third overall selection to heat up between now and then. "Up until now, there's been a lot of people who have just kind of thrown some stuff out there," McHale said. "They'll get more serious starting (Monday) and (Tuesday) and on Thursday you'll get a good offer. The teams you talk to, you say, 'Will I do this?' And they say, 'Will I do that?' ..."
Bulls' Staff Scribblings
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June 24
Chicago Tribune
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"Bernie Bickerstaff interviewed for a position on Vinny Del Negro's first coaching staff Monday. Recently ousted from the Bobcats' organization, Bickerstaff owns a career head-coaching mark of 414-512 in stints with the Sonics, Nuggets, Washington Bullets/Wizards and Bobcats. Bickerstaff followed interviews with former head coaches Bob Hill, Paul Westphal and Del Harris that took place last week. But with draft preparation dominating this week, it's unlikely the Bulls will announce anything official on assistant coaches this week."
Bobcats have eye on Hibbert
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June 23
Charlotte Observer
 
"Don't be surprised if the Charlotte Bobcats acquire an extra first-round pick and use it to draft Georgetown center Roy Hibbert. A source with another NBA team hears the Bobcats have checked around for a pick in the late teens or early 20s. That same source hears Hibbert might be the Bobcats' target if they make such a deal (not that it's a given Hibbert would still be around then). Hibbert is somewhat limited as an athlete, but he knows the game. That sort of basketball sophistication, combined with his being a legit 7-footer, would appeal to new Bobcats coach Larry Brown."
Okafor talks require patience
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June 15
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Rick Bonnell
"Okafor becomes a restricted free agent July 1. In one sense, that's a big deal: He is the highest-drafted player in Bobcats history (No.2 overall in 2004) and as a shot-blocking big man, he'd be the hardest to replace. But in another sense, this isn't such a huge deal: "Restricted" means the Bobcats would have the option to match any other team's offer for Okafor. It's common knowledge around the NBA that the Bobcats previously offered Okafor more than $12 million a season to re-sign. The list of teams that could assemble anything approaching $12 million under the salary cap this summer is small. Plus, I'm not sure any team would choose to offer Okafor more than the Bobcats ..."
Gallinari unlikely to join Bobcats
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June 13
Charlotte Observer
 
"Danilo Gallinari's first trip to the U.S. involved playing a basketball tournament in Charlotte in 2004. It's a safe bet his next trip won't be as the Bobcats' first-round pick. Gallinari, a 19-year-old Italian pro, indicated to reporters in New Jersey Thursday that he might not want to play NBA ball for a team outside the New York City metropolitan area. That confirms a report by Ian Thomsen on si.com."
Trades? They're a comin'
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June 10
Toronto Sun
 
"The calendar and the weather may suggest otherwise, but the NBA climate has the feel of February. Much like the frenzy and wild speculation that serve as a prelude to the league's trade deadline, caution must be observed and logic exercised. With so many teams looking to improve and so many names being bandied about, it wouldn't surprise any one if one or two roster-altering moves are completed, perhaps more. Until the NBA final runs its course, no deal will be announced in an environment where there's no shortage of possibilities, some that appear to have merit."
Bobcats audition stresses teaching
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June 10
Charlotte Observer
 
"When the Charlotte Bobcats' Larry Brown started coaching more than 30 years ago, most of the first-round picks were seniors and juniors - relatively finished products. Now they're typically college freshmen who need a lot more coaching. Prime example: Syracuse's Donte Greene, who auditioned for the Bobcats on Monday. Greene, a possibility for the Bobcats' No. 9 overall pick, was a slim, 6-foot-11 power forward in his one season at Syracuse. In the NBA, he'll be a small forward, guarding the likes of Cleveland's LeBron James and Denver's Carmelo Anthony."
Moe update
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June 8
Denver Post
 
"Karl said Nuggets assistant and former head coach Doug Moe has yet to decide whether he will return for another season on the bench. "I think Doug is in a stage of evaluating if he wants to do it again," Karl said. "Doug and I have had some really good talks. I would say there's a higher possibility of him not doing it than doing it." And on Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown's recent overtures that Moe may join his staff? "I think Larry Brown is playing musical chairs down there," Karl said. "If Doug does anything, he'll retire.""
Brown wants Moe to be part of staff
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June 5
Charlotte Observer
 
"Twenty-six years later, Larry Brown wants to go full circle in completing his staff of assistants with the Charlotte Bobcats. Brown said he's approached longtime friend Doug Moe, the only assistant on Brown's Carolina Cougars staff, about coming aboard. Moe has most recently served as a Denver Nuggets assistant. He's considering retirement because he's tired of the travel. "He was asking me what would he do and I said, whatever he wants," said Brown, who has three more jobs to fill -- two assistant coaches and an advance scout."
Bobcats should pursue Wallace
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June 5
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Rick Bonnell
"I have an idea, and on the surface it will seem a bit reckless, but hear me out: The Bobcats should consider trading for Detroit Pistons big man Rasheed Wallace. Pistons basketball operations chief Joe Dumars made it clear Tuesday, after firing coach Flip Saunders, that he's open to breaking up his team's core to freshen the roster. Wallace, in the late stages of his NBA career, would be a logical piece to move. Acquiring Wallace would seemingly reject the best practices of the Bobcats so far. They haven't spent huge money on older players and have generally avoided players with attitude problems."
Hanners, Bobcats' Brown reunite
May 28
Charlotte Observer
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"Brown has approached Eric Snow, his point guard with the Philadelphia 76ers, about joining the staff once Snow's injury-related retirement as a player becomes official."
Cavaliers' Eric Snow up for head coaching job with Bulls
May 22
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Cavaliers guard Eric Snow is a candidate for the Chicago Bulls' head coaching job, according to Snow's agent, Steve Kauffman. Getting an interview is the easy part. Getting hired would be a challenge - Snow would have to resolve his contract situation with the Cavs first. Snow, under contract through next season ($7.3 million), cannot become a coach until the Cavs either buy out his contract or an insurance company grants him a medical exemption because he can no longer play."
Brown wants Snow on his staff
May 21
Charlotte Observer
 
"Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown wants Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Eric Snow on his staff, once Snow's injury retirement becomes official. But there's a complication for Snow; an informed source says the Chicago Bulls want to interview him to be their head coach. Snow has a long relationship with Brown from his time as a Philadelphia 76er. Snow's family is in Atlanta, so moving to Charlotte would get him closer to home. Although an opening on the Hawks' staff also could complicate things."
Source says Bickerstaff is leaving Bobcats
May 9
Charlotte Observer
 
"Bernie Bickerstaff, the original architect of the Charlotte Bobcats' basketball operation, is leaving the franchise, the Charlotte Observer has learned. Bickerstaff served the team's first three seasons as both coach and general manager/president of basketball operations. After the 2006-07 season, he stepped down, taking the title of executive vice president. In that role, Bickerstaff scouted extensively in preparation for the 2008 draft and acted as an adviser to managing partner Michael Jordan."
Brown: From Err To Air
April 30
New York Post
 
"On the day Bobcats part-owner Michael Jordan resurrected Larry Brown's career, the former Knicks coach looked back on his disastrous season in New York and took full responsibility... Brown likely will pluck Knicks assistant Dave Hanners for his coaching staff and possibly longshot Knicks candidate Herb Williams. Bobcats advisor Bernie Bickerstaff could head to the Knicks as Mark Jackson's top assistant."
Source: Brown to coach Bobcats
April 29
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Charlotte Bobcats have their Hall of Famer. Larry Brown has decided to accept the Bobcats' offer to become their coach, a long-time NBA executive confirmed early today. The Bobcats have called a 1 p.m. news conference to make a "major" announcement."
Vincent out: Is Brown in as coach for Bobcats?
April 27
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Charlotte Bobcats fired rookie coach Sam Vincent Saturday following a 32-50 season, and it appears they're considering replacing him with a 67-year-old Hall