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OK, it's blazing hot outside, and I may be suffering from heatstroke. Bu I had this idea, and wanted to see what you thought. Gilbert opts out in Washington, and Antawn is available also. What if we went after both of them. Given that with J-Rich's Contract and Okafor's likely Contract, we are looking at about $50 mil right there. So, we would have to package off Crash and Ray (which will make Hamilton happy) for Draft picks and expirings. But Ray and Crash together along with leverage from #9 could get us into the top 3. That is Beasley and Mayo territory. Possible lineups include:

PG - Gilbert
SG - Mayo
SF - J-Rich
PF - Antawn
C - Okafor

or

PG - Gilbert
SG-J-Rich
SF- Beasley
PF - Antawn
C - Okafor

Is it the heat, or is this something MJ can do? Given Gilbert's affinty to play with Antawn, and MJ's and LB's connections with Antawn thu UNC, that is not too far fetched, is it?

I do realize there is one minor glitch to my idea. The FA signing does not start until 7/1, and the concept hinges on us trading Crash and Ray during the Draft which is in late June. I guess if our FO "talks" with Antawn's agent and Gilbert's agent about the idea, and there was a gentleman's agreement that they would sign with Charlotte, it could work. But agents could lie and we could bet screwed. But if there was a solid agreement in place, it might still work. It really depends upon the personal relationships so it would likely be OK. Dont think Antawn would diss MJ and LB as he would forever be out of the "circle of friends" of UNC alumni.

We simply won't have the cap space to do it, even if we get rid of Crash and Felton. Felton makes very little comparitively since he is still on his rookie contract, and Crash's deal is very reasonable. It would take a wizard (haha) to get one of them signed, let alone both.

Which is what I am counting on. Gilbert wants to play with Antawn, already stated that publicly. Now, we all know how tight the fellowship is with UNC alumni - it's legendary. Get MJ, LB and Dean Smith to apply the pressure to Antawn and he'll likely agree. Get Antawn to talk with Gilbert. Hey, it might be underhanded and dirty, but you take advantage of your situation. We just let some of the expirings go, and we could slip right under the cap space. I agree it would be very close. Maybe signing Okafor last.

You're missing that other clubs won't want us to become significantly better/contender. This should be taken into consideration in all suggested trades regardless how fair or overpaying they are valuewise.

go after gilbert using okafor and felton in a s&t.

then let gibert and the unc crowd convince jamison to sign for the MLE (gilbert makes an illegal deal with jamison to give him some extra cash).

And with Gilbert representing himself, he is not paying an agent's fee which saves him a ton of $. It might be something worth looking at by Charlotte. Gilbert is a heck of a player.

Generically, I'm all for this. But I have a MINOR problem. We want to do this with a division rival? Where we would play Oky and Ray four times a season? Oy.

Gil is an awesome player, but he commands to much money for a player who is extremely injury prone. Ask me the Wiz were better without him this year.

If Twan wants to come home to Charlotte sign him, but I am not willing to give up any of our core for a player that gets hurt every year come playoff time.

sorry.

Geraldmutumbo wrote:Gil is an awesome player, but he commands to much money for a player who is extremely injury prone. Ask me the Wiz were better without him this year.

If Twan wants to come home to Charlotte sign him, but I am not willing to give up any of our core for a player that gets hurt every year come playoff time.

sorry.

Partly my thinking.

Plus The Wizards seem to wreak of weakness. I am not sure I want too many of their players. Lost three years in a row to the same team w/o even putting up much of a fight. And this is a team with three highly capable players. I am aware there were injuries, but that's a part of how you evaluate. Acquiring Arenas or Jamison for the right price would be beneficial obviously but I am just not sure, the guys have just never really won a whole lot, and are on a solid team.

Obviously this team looks nice on paper and would be a decent improvement in talent, but there are a lot of variables that you guys have been discussing that make this unrealistic anyway.

What if we simplify it. Go after Agent Zero as a FA. We have to have an idea that he will come and the money will be right. OK, now you dont need Ray. Pair Ray, Crash and #9 to Miami for #2, expirings and their 2nd (#56). Grab Beasley with #2, someonelike Weaver with our 2nd (a PG/SG) and the BPA with #56. Leave Antawn out for salary cap concerns. Now you have:
PG - Agent Zero/#38
SG - J-Rich/Carroll
SF - Dudley/Ammo/#56
PF - Beasley/Davidson
C - Okafor/Nazr/Hollins

Is that more agreeable to those who think we cannot do Antawn in the deal for Salary Cap concerns? I know we are giving up Ray and Crash - 2 of our "core", but getting Agent Zero and Beasley is, in my opinion, upgrading our core.

How do we go after Arenas in FA when we have no money under the cap?

Good stuff Ohara...keep it up.

We have some expirings, and trading Crash and Ray at Draft time frees up additional $ and we get a couple expirings in the trade. I know the idea is not flawless by any means, but getting Agent Zero and Beasley on this team would be a huge deal and make us better. It just takes some maneuvering to make it happen and the will to trade two beloved players for 2 who can potentially put this team over the top. Hey, if we get Gilbert, and we draft Beasley, I guarantee you that people in Charlotte wont be crying over the loss of Ray and Crash. They will simply wish them good luck and good health and say "see you later." Success makes for a happy fan base.

Just remember we have to be under the cap enough to offer him a salary (figure 13 minimum?) without needing a S&T. Even though we have around 5 million in expirings it won't get us there due to all the capholds...and in trading Crash/Felts we'll still have to take salary back because Miami isn't under the cap either (unless Marion opts out). Even if they're expiring they won't go off the books until next summer.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time at all and I appreciate the ideas you're throwing out. You know me though...gotta keep it "real"!

s&t is the only way to get arenas. so, back to felton and okafor for arenas. would you do it? i would.

Arenas
Richardson
Wallace
Missing Piece
Mohammed

I'm the biggest Arenas fan I know...but I'm not sure if I do this deal. I'm also not sure Washington would. Haywood does on the cheap what Okafor would do.

Walt Cronkite wrote:Arenas
Richardson
Wallace
Missing Piece
Mohammed

I'm the biggest Arenas fan I know...but I'm not sure if I do this deal. I'm also not sure Washington would. Haywood does on the cheap what Okafor would do.

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Put Love or Randolph in the PF slot with #9, and it looks pretty good.

Don't think Love or Randolph will be there though. Lopez/Jordan could work, but I'd be pretty worried about them busting.

OT: ohara, could you do dashes or something instead of the straight line? I've skipped a couple of your posts because I thought you quoted someone and interpreted your response as a signature.