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The Bobcats are entering Year 3 of their rebuild. That's right, year 3. Aside from telegraphing a name change, and setting the record for regular season futility, the roster now sports some younger players. A quick look at the current roster shows eight players under contract, and $41mm of salary committed for next year before this year's 1st round draft pick and a decision on Gerald Henderson's free agency (among others).
As far as building a championship contender, the team is not that close. The roster has starter/rotation level players (Walker, Sessions, Biyombo, Henderson) as well as a few potential rotation guys (Taylor, Kidd-Gilchrist, McRoberts). However, every NBA champion of the last 25 years had at least one All-NBA player (1st or 2nd team). Take a look at the 2013 All-NBA teams:
Point Guards: Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Tony Parker (no Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo)
Shooting Guards: Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Dwyane Wade
Forwards: Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin, David Lee, Paul George (no Kevin Love)
Centers: Tim Duncan, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard (no Andrew Bynum)
It's important to remember that, aside from this list, there's quite a few up-and-coming youngsters that will compete for these spots. So, while finding an All-NBA talent somewhere in this year's draft is not impossible, it will take some conviction. And while these predictions are as likely to be wrong as anyone's on the Internet, consider: based on this blog's draft recommendations the last two years (2011 and 2012), the Bobcats last five draft picks would have been Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker, Jeremy Tyler, Andre Drummond, and Quincy Miller. That roster might look a little better than the current one.
WHAT'S THE PLAN?
Acquiring young talent should remain at the top of the Bobcats' priority list, and there are a few intriguing pieces that could be had. Both Thomas Robinson and Derrick Williams have been made available for the right price, and either player still has potential upside at the power forward spot worth exploring. Outside of such deals for young guys with rookie deals, free agent acquisitions would probably lean towards over-paying, given the current playoff prospects of the team. With all that in mind, the Bobcats should...
TRADE THE #4 PICK TO MINNESOTA FOR DERRICK WILLIAMS AND PICKS #9 AND #26.
Minnesota is looking to get Victor Oladipo in this year's draft. However, it's important to note that while the Bobcats and Timberwolves could have the same opinion of him, his value his higher within Minnesota's team context. Playing alongside Rubio, Love, and probably Pekovic, Oladipo could be unleashed as a defensive stopper, transition monster, and part-time offensive creator. Charlotte would need him to bear more responsibility on offense, and that may not be his game. Assuming that this deal is really there to be had, the Bobcats could still go after an All-NBA talent at #9, while buying low on Williams. And, with the #9 pick, the Bobcats should...
DRAFT MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS.
As far as potential All-NBA talents, I think he's the best prospect in the class. If the NBA Finals proved anything, it's that consistent play-making threats may be as scarce as consistent three point shooting. MCW can play both guard spots, provide NBA caliber passing from day one, substantially improve the offensive numbers of less skilled teammates in the half-court (Biyombo, MKG), and ignite a far more potent transition attack.
As for playing with Kemba Walker, it could be a very complementary match. MCW played off Brandon Triche at Syracuse, and the tandem alternated bringing the ball up, initiating the offense, and looking to score vs create. Walker is the kind of guard whose scoring instincts could mesh extremely well with Carter-Williams as a co-point guard.
Other Upside picks with All-NBA potential (in order, if available): Shabazz Muhammad, Steven Adams, Anthony Bennett
If those guys are unavailable, then there are still players that could be above-average starters and address an area of need for the Bobcats. Of that group, I'd lean towards Caldwell-Pope, who sports a complete offensive arsenal (including much-needed outside shooting), a good motor, and can contribute across the box score and on defense.
Fit Picks for the Bobcats: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cody Zeller, Ben McLemore, Alex Len
If the proposed trade went through, the #26 pick would also belong to the Bobcats. There a few ways to go in that scenario. Given the Bobcats situation, I would look more for team-oriented players, that have the ability to plug into a specific role quickly. Two seem like good bets, depending if the Bobcats go big or small with their lottery pick:
If they go big: SOLOMON HILL. The Kawhi Leonard comparisons feel lazy given Leonard's NBA Finals performance, but before his transcendant 2013 playoffs, Kawhi and Hill offered somewhat similar profiles. Hill brings 3 point shooting, great energy with regard to defense and rebounding, and a good understanding of fitting into a role within a team context. I like his potential as a glue guy small forward, and likely wouldn't take away from the offensive or defensive side of the floor. How often can that be said about a guy near the end of the 1st round?
If they go small: MIKE MUSCALA. He's a player with defined NBA attributes (NBA size and skills at the 4 or 5), who looks like a rotational player at minimum, and a very versatile big at best (stretch 4 shooting with the low post game to punish switches in the pick and roll, competent and developed in all other facets of the game). He would be a nice complement to Biyombo on both ends of the floor, particularly on offense.
Other picks (in order, if available): Ricky Ledo, Jackie Carmichael, C.J. Leslie, Lucas Noguiera
Assuming these moves were made, the Bobcats roster could look like:
Point Guard: Kemba Walker, Ramon Sessions
Shooting Guard: Michael Carter-Williams, Gerald Henderson, Jeff Taylor
Small Forward: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Solomon Hill
Bigs: Bismack Biyombo, Derrick Williams, Byron Mullens, Josh McRoberts, Brendan Haywood
That's a crunch time lineup with two play-makers, explosive athleticism at every position, poor floor spacing, and youthful inexperience. It's debatable whether anyone on this theoretical team would have All-NBA potential (I'd say MCW does), but it has significantly more potential than last year's roster. Someday the Bobcats have to turn potential into playoff wins, but that's not today... it's 2015.
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