no trade for Bobcats.... officially

[kman72]

Point guard Augustin becomes a restricted free agent in July, and he and rookie Kemba Walker are similar in size and skill set. Sources indicate the Bobcats spoke with the Blazers, Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder, among other teams, about possibly dealing Augustin. “D.J. Augustin is our starting point guard and we like him a lot,’’ Higgins said. “We tried to extend (his contract) back in December. Now, on July 1, he’ll be a restricted free agent and that will dictate what happens next.’’ Charlotte Observer

Higgins indicated any buyout discussions would happen in the next few days, if at all. Diaw would have to be waived by March 23 to be eligible for a playoff roster. Charlotte Observer

Rick Bonnell: Higgins says there was lots of interest in Diaw's expiring contract, but every option would involve giving up cap room beyond this season. Twitter

Rick Bonnell: #Bobcats Rod HIggins: No way they'd accept an "older player past his prime with an $8-$9M number'' just to say they made a trade, Twitter

Tom Moore: #Sixers president Rod Thorn denies report that he talked to #Bobcats about G-F Reggie Williams before trading for Sam Young

[TheOracle]

As long as Augustin & Diaw remain on this team, I'll never pull for this team.

What is it about the Panthers and Bobcats that they can't get rid of DEAD WEIGHT? Instead of restructuring Thomas Davis' contract, he should've been gone too.

[Wanderlai]

teams snakebit.

[rippadonn]

MJ must be hanging out with JR. Charlotte got a lump of coal in both stockings this year

[Zaximus]

As long as Augustin & Diaw remain on this team, I'll never pull for this team.

What is it about the Panthers and Bobcats that they can't get rid of DEAD WEIGHT? Instead of restructuring Thomas Davis' contract, he should've been gone too.

Davis would cost more to cut than restructure.

The Bobcats just (for once) didn't want to take on a crappy old contract like Maggette, Jax, Diop, etc. That's better in the long run. I say we amnesty Diop after this year, between him and Diaw leaving that frees up good money. Then Maggette the next and Caroll too. I don't see us having any flexibility for 2 years. Hopefully we'll have some good drafts during that time.

It's going to be a long haul guys....

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I'm glad we are finally being smart and not making deals just to make them. That's an improvement from every other season in our existence. There is no sense in making a trade and taking on contracts that we don't need. That would be plain stupid. Yes, I want Augustine, Diaw, Thomas and many others off this team. But not if it's not the right offer.

[x djdrew x]

am i alone in feeling like we need to be shopping Kemba in the offseason instead of DJ? I feel like I'm watching a more spunky slightly less sucky Adam Morrison with him.... :(

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

No need to trade these guys when we will have around 21 million dollars in cap room at the end of the season.

If other teams were just trying to give us garbage who have contracts longer than two years than there is no reason to trade.

[thatlookseasy]

No need to trade these guys when we will have around 21 million dollars in cap room at the end of the season.

If other teams were just trying to give us garbage who have contracts longer than two years than there is no reason to trade.

Yessir! No need to give away cap space if we dont get youth/ picks in return. Even if we dont go after any big free agents, cap space is always useful for facilitating other deals or helping other teams sign players (how the Wolves got Beasley for free)

[Wanderlai]

cap space means squat if no-one wants to be here. Sure you can help other teams get players they want and we can get Mr. Irrelevant.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

cap space means squat if no-one wants to be here. Sure you can help other teams get players they want and we can get Mr. Irrelevant.

Money talks in the NBA, this isn't like college where everyone goes to a team that has a chance to win a National Championship.

The Spurs didn't become relevant until they started becoming active in free agency signing Tim Duncan, Michael Finley, and Robert Horry.

It's not hard to get the free agents to your team, it's hard to keep them on your team.

[thatlookseasy]

cap space means squat if no-one wants to be here. Sure you can help other teams get players they want and we can get Mr. Irrelevant.

Incorrect. There are a lot of things a good GM can do with cap space.

Example: A few years back, the Suns were cutting salary to avoid the luxury tax, the Thunder were garbage but had plenty of cap space. Thunder traded a 2nd round pick for Kurt Thomas and the Suns' 2008 and 2010 1st rounders. That 2008 pick- Serge Ibaka.

[Wanderlai]

Money talks in the NBA, this isn't like college where everyone goes to a team that has a chance to win a National Championship.

The Spurs didn't become relevant until they started becoming active in free agency signing Tim Duncan, Michael Finley, and Robert Horry.

It's not hard to get the free agents to your team, it's hard to keep them on your team.

Tim Duncan was drafted not signed as a free agent. He was a franchise player. Finding role players like Finley and Horry is the easy part.

[Wanderlai]

Incorrect. There are a lot of things a good GM can do with cap space.

Example: A few years back, the Suns were cutting salary to avoid the luxury tax, the Thunder were garbage but had plenty of cap space. Thunder traded a 2nd round pick for Kurt Thomas and the Suns' 2008 and 2010 1st rounders. That 2008 pick- Serge Ibaka.

Yeah if you can make small moves for draft picks by taking advantage of other teams being in a lurch...great, but those moves don't happen often. What I ment was if the Cats have 40mil to spend do you think a franchise player will come to Charlotte? No they won't. Charlotte will have to overpay for role players and that's no good either. The only chance is to luck up and draft a franchise player and pray when their contact is up that they are like a Durant and resign verses LeBron and bolt.

I do agree not to make moves and take on crappy contracts or old players. You get one shot a year in the draft to hit a homerun. Even Anthony Davis won't make a huge change with the Cats. IMO he isn't a franchise player. Could he become one...maybe in a few years but then its contract time:confused: