The Charlotte Bobcats' Keys To a Better Year
Last season the Charlotte Bobcats had a lot of firsts. First playoff berth. First winning record. First All-Star in Gerald Wallace. This upcoming year the 'Cats hope to add their first playoff win. With Michael Jordan’s first free agency coming up they hope to add more pieces to make that happen.
The most glaring need is point guard. Raymond Felton will be a free agent and should not be back. He will command too much money for a guard who can’t score or defend. D.J Augustin has been waiting in the shadows to become starter, but he might not be too much of an upgrade. He’s a smaller guard who can’t really defend the likes of Jameer Nelson or any other guard really.
The Bobcats tried to trade for T.J Ford at the deadline, and I see them acquiring him this offseason. He is a better defender and a guard who can create for others.
With the PG situation as one need, a center who can contribute is another. Tyson Chandler is expected to opt of his contract in hopes of getting one last pay day from a center-hungry team.
When Charlotte traded for him last year, they envisioned a healthy center who could be a defensive force. Well that didn’t happen as he appeared in only 51 games while averaging 6.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and only one block a game. This is a very good free agency class in every position—except center.
If Chandler leaves along with fellow free-agent big men Nazr Mohammed and Theo Ratliff, that would leave the Bobcats with little used DeSagna Diop and prospect Alexis Ajinca. I expect Ajinca to be with the team next year after averaging 14.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 22 games with the Maine Red Claws before a broken wrist sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
With Al Jefferson of the Timberwolves on the trading block, I expect the Bobcats to at least give them a call centered around Boris Diaw.
Going into next season imagine the starting lineup of PG T.J Ford, SG Stephen Jackson, SF Gerald Wallace, PF Tyrus Thomas, C Al Jefferson. With key reserves D.J Augustin, Gerald Henderson, Derrick Brown, Alexis Ajinca, and any other free agent coming off the bench.
Look for the Bobcats to be very active this summer.
-Miguel Pierre
