Will Diaw or Wallace Be Here After The Deadline?

Bassman · Post #1 » by **Bassman** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 4:46 am

As of January 9th (following the loss to the 76ers), the Bobcats are 13-24. While we are improving in some ways, we continue to falter in our efforts to compete with even average teams. While it's still too early to draw conclusions, will management be willing to keep this "core" front line together (Okafor, Diaw, Wallace) if they cannot prove to be capable of getting a lot better as a group?

Diaw has certainly helped Okafor A LOT. His passing and spacing has enabled Mek to get better touches and consistency at the 5 spot. But Wallace has a good game mixed with average to below average games. Even if Wallace can be traded for a SF/SG, leaving Diaw at the 4, does this help all that much?

I believe Diaw is drawing genuine interest around the league, much more than any other player. Would we DARE trade Diaw once he is eligible (around Feb 4th or so) for a really good player?
Do the Knicks ultimately swoop in offering David Lee and others for Diaw and filler?

My personal hope is that these 3 begin improving at a rapid rate, so the FO has confidence in their long term future.

Junglist · Post #2 » by **Junglist** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 6:09 am

i sure hope so. we still have a hole at the 2 and once raja comes back, we should be ok. i wouldn't mind adding another true threat at that position, but i feel like that won't be addressed until the draft or free agency. if we could package felts plus fillers to bring in a young go-to scorer that gels with our core, then i'm all for that too. i feel like the flow of the team has improved a lot even though the w's aren't necessarily there as much. i'd rather this team stick with what we've got and hope that we can land harden in the draft. either that or hope that derozan turns it on and lives up to the mayo and kobe comparisons.

countryboi · Post #3 » by **countryboi** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:53 am

I like the front line...i would add a young two guard that create his own shot before i would trade anyone on the front line...i feel like they are closer to being good than they have ever been

Post #4 » by **Walt Cronkite** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 2:41 pm

I don't even know anymore

I'm inclined to think yes to both, but who knows...this forum has been wearing on me lately. Bobcat fans have it rough--hardest job in the biz.

spectre_ · Post #5 » by **spectre_** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:15 pm

Yes on Diaw.

He just brings too much to the team. LB knows we need more passers in the starting lineup and the Felton/DJ gig doesn't work against all matchups (at the least there's a drop defensively). He's going to want to play Bell as well for his veteran presence.

Crash...I just don't know. He should be, but with the way the FO has acted for the last season or so I haven't a clue.

The intriguing question to me is Bell. He's exactly the type of player LB likes, but I think he'd fetch a premium at the deadline. Of course the FO has to be competent enough to work out a good deal too...

BobsBuddy · Post #6 » by **BobsBuddy** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:23 pm

Young and IGU made Philly cheese steak out of Wallace and Diaw last night. Who knows why, but it did not look very good. I thought Singletary/Carroll started pretty good together. The TV flashes at the bench showed Larry shaking his head again which is not good.
I agree we need a young gun 2 guard,but we also desperately need another power forward. Playing Howard for long backup minutes isn't the answer. As the trade deadline in Feb comes.. I still would try to trade Carroll/Morrison/Nazr/May to either some team(s) for a 2 guard and fillers to include another veteran Power forward... I would leave Diaw and Wallace and Felton alone. I still think Felton should come off the bench as a "Ben Gordan" type 2 guard. If we trade Felton believe me ,He will arise as a Star with another team. By trading carroll/nazr hopefully we open up space to sign him next year.

ohara · Post #7 » by **ohara** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:56 pm

spectre_ wrote:Yes on Diaw.

He just brings too much to the team. LB knows we need more passers in the starting lineup and the Felton/DJ gig doesn't work against all matchups (at the least there's a drop defensively). He's going to want to play Bell as well for his veteran presence.

Crash...I just don't know. He should be, but with the way the FO has acted for the last season or so I haven't a clue.

The intriguing question to me is Bell. He's exactly the type of player LB likes, but I think he'd fetch a premium at the deadline. Of course the FO has to be competent enough to work out a good deal too...

I agree with this 100%. The only thing I'd add it Felton may be in the mix as well. I dont see anyone wanting Ammo, and May would be good only as an expiring.

dmutombo321 · Post #8 » by **dmutombo321** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 4:04 pm

I dont think we have to worry about Felton becoming a star anywhere. He's clearly shown that he doesnt have what it takes to be an elite point guard. He's a competent playmaker but certainly not an top notch one. And he'll never be the type of scorer ben gordon is. However, he is still a solid player who would represent an upgrade at point for a lot of teams in this league.

If we could keep him for reasonable money, I'd be all for it. He'd be a phenomenal backup for DJ and could also play some spot minutes as a small 2 when we go small.

Addressing the original post - As I've said all along, IF they can get a young prospect and/or high pick(s), I'd be all for them dealing Wallace. I love gerald but this team isnt going anywhere right now.

As the trade deadline approaches, Portland may be willing to re-examine a Wallace deal since its now looking like they're going to be unable to sign any top level FA's during the offseason (Memphis just resigned D Miles and once he plays two more games, Portland will loose their cap space and be plunged into luxury tax territory).

klemen4 · Post #9 » by **klemen4** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 4:31 pm

What do you think about his one

Jeffries+N.Robinfon for Morrison+Felton

or
(this surely would you except)
Jeffries+N.Robinfon for Morrison+May

Post #10 » by **fatlever** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 5:27 pm

if this team doesnt sure some solid signs of improvement by the deadline, i think wallace is gone. wallace, felton and okafor have been together for 4+ years and that core isnt getting it done. how long should we expect the front office to keep those 3 together if we arent showing any signs of over becoming a .500 team or better. of those 3, wallace appears to be the one they would most likely trade, probably to free up some cap space. i wouldnt be surprised to see felton moved at the deadline as well. LB isnt going to just sit back and wait for these guys to eventually "get it".

Bassman · Post #11 » by **Bassman** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 6:14 pm

fatlever wrote:if this team doesnt sure some solid signs of improvement by the deadline, i think wallace is gone. wallace, felton and okafor have been together for 4+ years and that core isnt getting it done. how long should we expect the front office to keep those 3 together if we arent showing any signs of over becoming a .500 team or better. of those 3, wallace appears to be the one they would most likely trade, probably to free up some cap space. i wouldnt be surprised to see felton moved at the deadline as well. LB isnt going to just sit back and wait for these guys to eventually "get it".

Fats, I agree with you. Wallace is good and has some value, but when all is said and done, I don't think he meshes well with this unit or LB's system. He's certainly trying, and has had some big games. But Crash is disappearing too many times. I just feel keeping this front line together into next season doesn't make sense if they can't ramp it up against better teams.

Diaw is a keeper. The Knicks claim now they want to resign Lee (I DON'T blame them). So I believe Wallace becomes the piece LB would most like to deal (and perhaps Felts). Portland is about to go over the cliff into luxury land, but I'm not sure any deal using Wallace makes sense for them.

chrbal · Post #12 » by **chrbal** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:17 pm

I would like to believe yes on both, but I think if one goes it will probably be Wallace. I would like to see some changes to this roster come deadline. But mostly a lateral move involving Nazr leaving or something like Matt Carroll for Reggie Evans.

I'd be estastic just to see Sean May waived on that day.

Dexmor · Post #13 » by **Dexmor** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:02 pm

I hope they are both here at the deadline and if Felton doesn't draw high interest I hope he is here to. I know we can't win with what we have but Wallace doesn't have enough trade value to move him. He is the most underrated player in this league when you have a guy like Brad Miller who you are dying to move but won't give him up for Wallace.
WIth that said I do believe they will trade Wallace because there are just so many rumors to make me think he will stay would be denial. I believe if they package wallace and Bell and maybe Felton or just Felton and Bell they can move those 2 which are the 2 they want to move alot easier and really get something.
With Diaw he is very underrated as well. I don't think they should move Diaw and I really hope they don't. I think the Knicks trade is possible and the saying they want to keep Lee only makes me think there trying to bump up his value. Diaw has become our best player now. He gives them vet leadership which they need in the starting lineup and if they do move Felton he makes up for the fact that there pg's are rookies.

As for Felton I do believe it's possible if moved or even if he stays he still can blossom into a star. If he could shoot and finish a little better he would be an allstar. He is strong, fast, athletic, can get his shot off at anytime on anybody and is not afraid to take the big shots. He is a pretty decent playmaker and passer and like I said if he could shoot and finish better he would be unstoppable. He would draw alot of attention so it would be easier for him to make plays so he would be like a poor mans Chris Paul which means top 5-6 pg in the game. Problem is this isn't his second year in the league and it's possible he'll never be a good shooter.

Bell should go for a very good prospect and that should be the only deal made or Bell and Felton for a really good prospect and pick. Those are the only deals that should be made or maybe Bell and a bad contract to a contender for an expiring and a prospect.

Out of the core 3 that you asked about I hope we keep em all.