NBA Trade Rumors: Where Will Charlotte Bobcats' Gerald Wallace Wind Up?
Gerald Wallace's time in a Charlotte Bobcats uniform could be coming to a close soon.
The Bobcats took Wallace in the expansion draft and helped develop him into the player he is today. He is in his seventh season with Charlotte, but due to a poor record, it's looking like Michael Jordan is going to ship the forward elsewhere.
A report surfaced this past week linking Wallace to the Cleveland Cavaliers. For Bobcats fans, this doesn't come as a surprise. The team hasn't been producing wins on the court and Jordan is looking to reduce payroll.
While Wallace is a fan favorite in Charlotte, it's time for the Bobcats to move him. Nagging injuries throughout the season have cost him 10 games. The Bobcats also are aware that he plays with a recklessness that get him banged up more often than the average player.
A worst-case scenario would be Wallace suffering a significant injury that would squash a potential trade. So it makes sense that the Bobcats would want to move him while they still can.
Let's take a look at some potential suitors for the one-time All-Star's services.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Might as well start with the team rumored to be in discussions with Charlotte for Wallace. The Cavs are desperately in need of NBA players. And no, the ones currently on their roster do not qualify.
Something called Christian Eyenga is starting at small forward for the Cavs, currently.
You know you've hit rock bottom when 40 games into the season your starting five looks like this: PG Mo Williams, SG Manny Harris (who?), SF Eyenga (don't ask who he—is I couldn't tell you), PF Antawn Jamison (over the hill) and C J.J. Hickson (a PF forced to play C because of injuries).
If LeBron leaving wasn't bad enough for Cavs fans, they're forced to watch this team a few times a week. Wallace wouldn't turn the Cavs into a playoff contender, but he would be a welcomed addition.
Even though the move would help Cleveland in the present, it seems like it would be a panic move. The Cavs need to rebuild and acquiring Wallace's contract—three years remaining which will pay him a little over $30 million—isn't a wise long-term move.
It's understandable that Dan Gilbert is disgusted by what he's seeing on the court and feels pressure from fans to make the team better. But panic moves are never the answer.
And this would be one.
Dallas Mavericks
The loss of Caron Butler is proving to be a pivotal one for the Mavs. If they don't upgrade at SF somehow, they aren't going to go very far in the playoffs. Dirk Nowitzki is banged up and can only shoulder so much of the scoring load.
Wallace would be a perfect fit for the Mavs, but it may be tough to work out a deal money-wise. The Mavs can't really take on anymore salary without shedding some of their own contracts, but the whole reason Charlotte's wanting to move Wallace is to save money.
One way the Mavs could make the deal work would be to include Jason Terry in a package, who has a similar salary to Wallace but a contract that expires after next season. The Bobcats could move Terry to another team or hold onto him and use his expiring contract as a trade asset during the offseason.
Terry's been a key cog in Dallas' back court the past seven seasons, but the addition of Wallace would give the Mavs another player who can get into the lane and draw fouls.
Keep an eye on the Mavs over the coming weeks to see if their name pops up in possible negotiations with the Bobcats.
LA Clippers
This, in my opinion, would be the best move for the Bobcats. They could move Wallace and take back Chris Kaman's contract, which has two years left on it and is similar to Wallace's. Kaman's been out with an ankle injury for most of the season but will be on the trading block regardless.
The Clippers could use an upgrade over Ryan Gomes at SF, and Wallace would be a significant one. If the Clips were to acquire him, they could contend for a playoff spot next season. Blake Griffin has exceeded expectations, Baron Davis looks like he wants to play basketball again, Eric Gordon is a future All-Star and DeAndre Jordan is shaping into a nice center.
Throw Wallace into the mix and you have one hell of a starting five. Just think of the highlight reel dunks the Clips would produce with Wallace and Griffin on the same team. It certainly would make Bill Simmons giddy.
Out of the three teams, the Cavs remain the most realistic option. They can take on salary without having to give any up, and that's ultimately what MJ is looking to do. Even without Wallace, the Bobcats could flirt with the No. 8 seed in the East.
A move will be made as we get closer to the deadline—it's just a matter of who winds up with the talented swingman.
