Charlotte Bobcats: What Does The Future Hold?

The Charlotte Bobcats are a team that were labeled as being on the rise in the National Basketball Association last season, and especially so after acquiring (disgruntled) forward Stephen Jackson and his long-term contract which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he became the “leader” of the team along with veteran Gerald Wallace. Wallace, in past seasons was really the only veteran presence in the locker room and the addition of Jackson has helped Larry Brown to coach the team differently and more effectively. The Bobcats also added Tyrus Thomas (whom they re-signed to a long-term deal this offseason) at the trade deadline for a draft pick and players who had expiring contracts.

However, the Bobcats were swept by the Orlando Magic in their playoff debut and that loss in Game 4 seems to have a bigger impact on what direction the franchise is going to take for the upcoming season.

First, the Bobcats did not have a draft pick this year and were unable to acquire one via trade or buy one using their cash considerations. The Bobcats did bring in undrafted rookie Sherron Collins who had a strong career at the University of Kansas for four years even though the Jayhawks were defeated by the Northern Iowa Panthers in the NCAA Tournament last year.

Second, they lost point guard Raymond Felton to the New York Knicks without getting anything in return for the former Tar Heel player who played well for the team since backup D. J. Augustine is not ready to take over the starting point guard role just yet. Additionally, the Bobcats made a trade with the Dallas Mavericks to add the “special” contract of Erick Dampier along with the long-term contract of one-time Bobcat Matt Carroll, and veteran Eduardo Najera in exchange for Alexis Ajinca and Tyson Chandler, who was coming of an injury-riddled season and has an expiring contract. Shaun Livingston, who is trying to make it back in the NBA after a major knee injury was also signed along with Dominic McGuire, who split last season with the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings. Furthermore, the Bobcats signed free agent forward Kwame Brown, the former number one overall pick made by current Bobcats Owner Michael Jordan that turned out to be one of the worst decisions of all time (see Pau Gasol).

So my question for the Bobcats is what direction is the team expecting to go in? They have an owner who by no question was an awesome NBA player, but that does not always equal success on the administrative/managerial side.

For example, by dealing Chandler, who was in the last year of his contract, they were able to acquire the “special” contract of Erick Dampier, but why reacquire Matt Carroll, who was clearly out of Larry Brown’s rotation in Charlotte the first time around? Hopefully, they can trade Dampier once again, and according to sources, September 13, 2010 is when Dampier can be dealt with other players according to NBA Team Rules. Maybe Jordan does have a move in the future that helps to further shape this team and I am not seeing it right now but only time will tell. They have a coach that is a basketball legend of sorts, but then it seems that no one really knows what Larry Brown wants as it changes every day. 

League executives and other columnists might agree in saying that the Eastern Conference has gotten stronger this season, and some teams either moved up by adding free agents, or fell off a bit by either losing free agents, or not being able to move players that have large contracts even though a move might be a wise decision.

It seems to me that in an Eastern Conference that has suddenly gotten stronger, the Bobcats are now on the outside looking in when it comes to making the playoffs as they need to bring in another point guard, and maybe some other players that can play alongside Jackson, and Wallace that may be difficult to do as training camp opens up at the end of September. The bottom line is that the Bobcats are a team that are still trying to find their identity and if they plan on competing this season and especially make it to the postseason they have some work to do.