Dime: Ford for Felton?

[Grang33r]

I don't see this happening, because i doubt MJ was the one really after TJ Ford and i still don't know what they would see in him but here's a interesting article on a possible deal we may see this summer....

Ray Felton could be Indiana’s next point guard

By Austin Burton

One of the 800 rumors to see the light of day around the NBA trade deadline was of a proposed deal sending T.J. Ford and Brandon Rush to the Bobcats for D.J. Augustin, Gerald Henderson and Nazr Mohammed.

At the time, Charlotte reportedly decided against making the move, mainly because T.J. is slated to make $8.5 million next season and then-owner Bob Johnson was hesitant to take on that much cap space on a borderline starter. But now that Michael Jordan is taking over as majority owner of the ‘Cats — assuming he was the one interested in Ford in the first place before Johnson vetoed it — he might be willing to take more risks with his money. A couple days after the Bobcats played at Indiana, Charlotte Observer beat writer Rick Bonnell wondered if Ford could be part of the Bobcats’ offseason plans this summer, in a sign-and-trade for free agent Ray Felton.

As the Bobcats challenge for the franchise’s first-ever playoff berth this year, their core unit is mostly set in place for the next few years. Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson are under contract through 2013, Boris Diaw through 2012, and Augustin and Henderson are still on their rookie deals. Tyson Chandler has a $12.5 million player-option for next season, which he’d be crazy to give up and test the market.

Felton, despite being one of the few staples for the organization as the full-time starting point guard for the last four-plus seasons, is now a wild card. Seeking a long-term deal last summer, he could only land a one-year agreement ($5.5M) with the ‘Cats. And if the team didn’t want to commit to him then, I don’t see why they’d do it now, since Felton hasn’t gotten significantly better this year — in fact, his scoring and assist numbers (11.8 ppg, 5.5 apg) are down, although his shooting percentages are up.

As a Pacers fan, I like a Felton-for-Ford deal. Every time you want to completely give up on T.J., he comes through with a good stretch, like when he bounced back from a month-long benching to average 13.6 points in February. But it’s time to move on.

Link- http://dimemag.com/2010/03/ray-felton-c ... int-guard/

[Miller4ever]

Let's do it. Do it. Do it.

[PR07]

I don't see how anyone could be opposed, unless Felton wants some ridiculous type of extension given his skill-set.

[Gremz]

There must be a catch, like taking an extra unwanted contract from them. It seems unlikely they'd S & T Felton to take on a likely larger one year deal in Ford.

[DWCP2]

If it is it probably won't be much. With Charlotte and Indiana being over the cap, per current CBA, any contract he signs for more then 6.6 million (120% of 5.5 million) would constitute BYC.

6.6 million is not that much above the likely MLE this summer.

As per ur question of would we have to take on a 2nd contract? Yes, but Charlotte doesn't have much to add in with their trades of the last two years. The contracts of either Gerald Henderson or Alinjca (sp?) would make the deal work.

The minimum return the Pacers can get for Ford is 6.72 million.

[no_way_jose]

This wouldn't be a bad trade for you guys. But what I really want to know is Larry Bird the general manager of the Pacers or Owner?

[DWCP2]

He is neither. He is the VP of basketball operations. Mel Simon is the owner and chief exec officer, while David Mornay is the General Manager.

[MNPacersfan]

I'd have to assume that for Charlotte to give up the better player they'd want to include something else that they don't want for a better player...
Maybe a framework that starts with:
Mohammed and Felton
for
Ford and Foster

Let's just hope it's the Desagna Albatross contract...

[8305]

Charlotte is clearly not that juiced about giving Felton long term money. I'm not either. I think it was noted earlier you would have to give him 6.6 mil to make a deal for TJ work under the CBA. Would we really want to go out four years giving this guy starters money? There a lot of point guard acquisition scenarios I like better than this one. As I look at it today simply allowing TJ to expire would be a better option than committing long term to Felton.

[DWCP2]

Is Felton an upgrade over Earl Watson or not is the question.

If he is, and I'll go as far as to say even if he is, I wouldn't offer much more then 3-4 years in order to give AJ Price a chance to grow and blossom. Then 2-3 years down the line I'm quite sure an MLE contract for a decent PG won't be that hard to move.

[Boneman2]

Felton is capable of putting up Rondo numbers. He is only 25 and has been plenty seasoned, meaning he can contribute from day one. I like the 3-4 yr. range too, it's just hard telling what the market will be. I think anywhere near the MLE would be a steal for us.

We'll have options because of the expirings. Another player to look out for is Monta Ellis, if in fact GS is looking to move his contract. We'll find out soon enough.

[chrbal]

I'd have to assume that for Charlotte to give up the better player they'd want to include something else that they don't want for a better player...
Maybe a framework that starts with:
Mohammed and Felton
for
Ford and Foster

Let's just hope it's the Desagna Albatross contract...

Nazr Mohammed this year; 8.2 pts per game, 5.3 rebs, per game, 17 minutes per game, and shooting 56.7 Fg%. Thats not the guy they don't want.

The Ford for Felton rumor is just that, a rumor. I don't honestly think the trade talk was ever all that serious and if Felton, starting to get more comfortable playing for Brown, is traded..you can bet DeSagana "Isn't it great to be tall" Diop will be part of it.

[Draft Master J]

I'm not even sure Felton is a top-20 point guard in this league. He does nothing above average and is quite a bit below average in some crucial areas. There's a reason why he's almost constantly marred in trade rumors and yet remains firmly planted in Charlotte.

To commit a long-term monetary investment in such a mediocre player would be a major mistake in my opinion. Hold out for something better, either at the deadline or in 2011 free agency.

[Boneman2]

Felton started his career on a very bad young team that is still drafting pg's in the first round. Not that the Pacers are any better as of right now. But atleast his role would be clear, and he'd have a scoring machine to dish it to. Sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes, and with a player like Felton(25yrs.) there is plenty left in the tank.. I'd offer B.Rush/TJFord (exp.) for Felton/Henderson, otherwise they lose Raymond for nothing, unless they were inclined to match that offer. I haven't seen any indication they would.

[Grang33r]

Is Felton an upgrade over Earl Watson or not is the question.

If he is, and I'll go as far as to say even if he is, I wouldn't offer much more then 3-4 years in order to give AJ Price a chance to grow and blossom. Then 2-3 years down the line I'm quite sure an MLE contract for a decent PG won't be that hard to move.

Seriously? Felton is far from a great basketball player. He may also never even be an all-star, but, when comparing him to Earl Watson, he's on a different planet. Watson is a energy spark plug. Nothing more. Felton is a established NBA starter. Felton is the better scorer, sees the court better and gets more assists. No clue who is a better defender but i'd guess Felton. And he's 5 years younger.

[8305]

For what its worth in past years Felton has killed us because we didn't have anyone who could guard him. I don't think its been that bad this year which I'm thinking you would attribute to Watson.

If the Pacers do deal for Felton it would be a sign and trade. The team losing the free agent never gets full value in these scenarios. Think Peja, Brad Miller. Typically, you are just trying to salvage something. Ford while not as good a player could possibly be a competent guy holding down the position until Augustine is ready. Charlotte would be salvaging a little something out of the situation. Pacers would be nuts to give up anything more than Ford.

This deal works if the market for Felton isn't that great this summer and I don't expect that it will. There just aren't that many teams with remarkable voids at point guard. The Knicks and Heat come to mind but they have so many holes to fill that I can't see remarkable money being there for Felton. Since the Pacers would be unloading Ford's contract they would have to at least come up with an initial year compensation of 6.6 mil. That might be the best that's out there for Felton. If from the initial year compensation levels decrease and the total term isn't any longer than three years this could make some sense for Indiana.

[Hobo Gonzolez]

This really isn't a good trade. Felton has had a total of 1 season where he has been better than Ford, and even then he has been mediocre.

[MNPacersfan]

Felton for 3 years with a team option for 4 and a player option for 5 doesn't seem like a bad deal at all. He's smart enough not to force the action when the defense is stopping him and he's talented enough to score (see so many past Pacer/Bobcat games) when no one is stopping him. His game has grown by leaps over the last 2 years. I would be surprised if CHA moves him, unless they feel like Ford would wake up when he realizes that teams don't want his attitude no matter how good he is. Especially when he's never grown into his potential. Another team giving up on him may be a wake up call.

chrbal,
Your quote: "Nazr Mohammed this year; 8.2 pts per game, 5.3 rebs, per game, 17 minutes per game, and shooting 56.7 Fg%. Thats not the guy they don't want."
I agree that the Bobs would rather give up Diop than Mohammed, but Foster is an upgrade over either. that's why I suggested the deal would start with Ford and Foster for Felton and Mohammed.

[Rocketsftw]

Ford is a Larry Brown type player. He can play controlled, which is what Brown likes when Augustin plays out of control. Ford is alot like Eric Snow who Brown loved in Philly. Ford just isn't the type of player a rebuilding team should give time too.Hence is why Obrien quit using him.

Felton would fit in with the Pacers. He is basically a better Jamaal Tinsley type player with a higher ceiling and better attitude. He just would need some long term security in order for him to produce. He has that Mark Jackson type PG body which will allow him a long career in this league.

Also they wont deal Foster, he is worth more to the franchise than he would be in a trade, unless he was used in an Illgauskas type situation where he came back. I also doubt they would want Diop when Hibbert is a similar player but much cheaper and younger.

[Miller4ever]

He can play controlled

It sure doesn't show.