With the season sinking, Charlotte exploring trades

By Rick Bonnell
rbonnell@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010

ATLANTA – The Charlotte Bobcats have been gauging the trade value of various players, including co-captains Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace, two NBA sources confirmed Thursday.

The Bobcats (9-16) have been plummeting of late, with two losses of 30 points or more in the past six days. After a 33-point loss Wednesday to the Memphis Grizzlies, coach Larry Brown described his team’s performance this way:

“I had to get on them at halftime – beg them to play. That’s not what I’m supposed to be doing,’’ Brown said.

“No effort, no teamwork, guys don’t run back. They blame it on the referees.’’

With that as a backdrop, Bobcats management is apparently assessing its trade options. The two sources – executives with other NBA teams – spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

“It would not surprise me at all’’ if the Bobcats move one of their top players, one source said. “I will say I think they’re asking for a lot.’’

Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins did not immediately return a phone message left early Thursday evening.

Trades have been standard practice for the Bobcats since Brown was hired as coach in April of 2008. Since then, the Bobcats have made nine trades involving 27 players. The only players who pre-date Brown’s arrival are Wallace and center Nazr Mohammed.

One source said it’s his impression the Bobcats are canvassing much of the league, to judge what they could do to salvage this season. Jordan told season ticket-holders in the preseason he expected the Bobcats to reach the playoffs and advance in them.

Jordan also said he’d prefer not to continue churning the roster with trades. But that was before the Bobcats started playing so poorly. Jordan personally addressed the team after Saturday’s blow-out loss to Boston. Team personnel described Jordan’s remarks as stern and loud.

“I’d think they’re proposing different scenarios to different teams; maybe 15 or 20,’’ said one of the sources, adding that Chicago and Detroit might be two teams receptive to making a deal.

It might be easier for the Bobcats to assemble a trade now than it was a few days ago, since they could now include anyone on the roster. Before Dec. 15, five players signed over the summer – Dominic McGuire, Kwame Brown, Tyrus Thomas, Shaun Livingston and Sherron Collins – weren’t eligible to be included in trades under NBA rules.

Of those, Thomas is least likely to be dealt; the Bobcats are high on his prospects and his new contract makes him a base-year compensation player, an impediment to most trades.



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