If you are trying to get a buy out- would you not do that? This guy is 33 and was on the verge of winning a championship and then things went south. He has 2 more productive year- he got paid- and he will look for a ring. Of the teams that will make the playoffs- it will be Nets and Rockets who will benefit most- Dallas and San Antonio are just interested to add to their depth and he will not see too many minutes- especially Cuban will just stock pile talent and prevent him from going to a would-be competitor. BY any damn logic- he is better than Scott padgett.
Ely can not see the floor with a bad team, but somehow would help the Rockets? I don't see Ely ever in his career having the year JHo is having.
I do think he'd work in our 4/5 rotation with decent offense. Last year he was a 10-5 guy in less than 25 mpg for the Bobcats, shooting over 50% in Sean May's absence. Right now, he can't get time behind the other guys. He's not 'the missing piece to the puzzle', but at short money (only about $2 million left to pay on his deal which ends this year), he's far better than anyone else out there. He can move really well and has height. When Deke sits for us, we've got 6-8 centers in the pivot. As I understand it, Charlotte wouldn't be 'penalized' per se. They have to pay the league however much they are beneath the minimum payroll they are like other teams pay the lux tax. They're already under it, and it would be a wash (paying Ely the remaining $2 mill or paying it to the league). Sura would be an option, but he is still owed money next year - so that might turn off the Cats a little. Whatever works, though. A second rounder is the carrot that should get it done. Evan
OK tweak, but Bobs hold on to ME looking for a team to have an injury and a need for a BIG big enough to get a #1 IMO. If there's to be a tweak then find a way to bring Najera, and his legions, to the Toy Shop.
The bobcats know that for whatever reason, ELY is believed to be worth something. The reason the Nets didnt get him was more because the Bobcats wanted a first round pick, not cuz of the 1 million dollar savings. He really only has had one decent year so I would not consider even a late first round pick. As for the Webber debate. I think he would be like Bonzi. Sign him for cheap and hope it works out. If not he sits on the bench and does nothing. As bad as the whole Bonzi thing has been so far, I dont think he has hurt this team, he just really hasnt helped it. And since he is only making like 2 million, it doesnt really matter. If Webber comes in at the vet minimum and helps the Rox get 4 or 5 extra wins while Yao is out, then he is worth it cuz those 4-5 wins could mean playoff seeding. More importantly, if he signs he cant help another Western team out. Again, same thing that worked out with Bonzi. No he hasnt helped us a ton, but he isnt helping any other team win either.
