‘Cats Have Nine Lies
Ray FeltonIf you were wondering what the D.J. Augustin pick means for Ray Felton’s future in Charlotte, GM Rod Higgins told the Charlotte Observer that, well, it doesn’t mean anything. “We don’t think D.J. is going to come in right now and be the starting point guard,” Higgins said, also denying rumors that the ‘Cats were trying to trade Felton to the Knicks for David Lee. Either Higgins is flat-out lying, or he just purposely used a Top-10 pick on someone who’s going to be a backup for the next six years. Felton just turned 24, and he’s not a two-guard by any means, so if you aren’t trying to trade him, where is Augustin supposed to play? Did the Bobcats watch the Raptors’ T.J. Ford/Jose Calderon experiment last year and decide to model their team after that? Not to mention that following the Jermaine O’Neal trade went down, Michael Jordan actually confirmed rumors that the ‘Cats had explored the possibility of prying T.J. from the Raptors by dangling Gerald Wallace … Outside of the Bobcats rumor, David Lee’s name has popped up in a ton of other trade rumors in New York, as have a handful of his teammates. All we’re asking from Donnie Walsh is that he keep Zach Randolph around at least until the ‘09 trade deadline. Not for any real basketball reason, but because we can’t wait to see Z-Bo and Danilo Gallinari trying to have a conversation in the locker room … Worst trade rumor we’ve heard in a long time: Anderson Varejao, Wally Szczerbiak and Damon Jones to Golden State for Baron Davis. Really? We can’t even express how absurd that would be on the Warriors’ side. They’d almost be better off losing Baron for nothing to free agency … Robert Horry said he wants to play one more year (his 17th in the League), and wants to do it with the Spurs or Rockets. Which of those teams is more in need of a 38-year-old shooter who’s become increasingly spotty and won’t give you anything in the regular season? We can see T-Mac making a case for bringing in Big Shot Rob, who’s never been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in his career … The Sonics made their $3.6 million qualifying offer to Robert Swift, making him a restricted free agent. If your team needs a center, would you take a chance on Swift? He’s young (22), big (7-1 and a reported 280 last year) and has a lot of room to improve (a.k.a. he hasn’t done anything yet). There are obvious injury concerns, though, for a guy who really should have gone to college back in ‘04 … A few more undrafted guys have made their summer plans: Davidson PG Jason Richards will play for the Heat’s summer-league squad, Tennessee’s JaJuan Smith got an invite from the Mavs, Nebraska center Aleks Maric will play summer ball with the Pacers, and Wisconsin center Brian Butch will be in Celtics’ mini-camp and play for the Hawks in the summer league. Dallas also extended an invite to Yaroslav Korolev, the Clippers’ infamous Lottery pick in ‘05 who was chosen ahead of Danny Granger, Rashad McCants and others … In case you missed it, Paul Pierce was on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last week. Pierce — who looked like he’d just come from a party — went up to the stage in a wheelchair (playing up the “fake injury” to L.A. fans) and cradling the Finals MVP trophy. Check out the segment HERE … Doc Rivers and Celtics management have made it clear they want to bring the entire championship team back (yeah, even Tony Allen), but they may not be able to hang onto P.J. Brown if he’s intent on retiring. That said, Boston is reportedly looking at Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning to fill in that backup center spot. We still think they should have drafted a guy to play behind Kendrick Perkins — DeAndre Jordan would have been a worthy gamble — but ‘Zo and Deke can produce for them as long as Doc watches their minutes during the season … If you haven’t already, check out Episode 4 of Dime’s Jerryd Bayless Draft Diary, presented by Levi’s 501. In this final installment, Jerryd sweats out draft night, not only getting picked in the Lottery but then getting traded a few minutes later. Check out the video one DimeMag.tv or here on DimeMag.com … We’re out like one of Charlotte’s point guards …
June 29th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Amar says:
Jazz made Calvin Miles, Jr. a true RFA today by offering him some money, and the right to match anything. they are also keeping the ‘Sap in Salt Lake.
June 29th, 2008 at 1:15 am
MBE18 says:
The Knicks better include Zach Randolph in any trade including David Lee.
June 29th, 2008 at 2:13 am
daquest?on says:
that jimmy kimmel thing was funny
June 29th, 2008 at 2:16 am
daquest?on says:
the bobcats are crazy giving up n raymond felton,dj agustin will never be as good as ray can be. Ray is a very good point guard and he is improving every year i think he could b an all star someday, hes only 24.
June 29th, 2008 at 2:51 am
Ferdiberdi says:
Wtf that trade rumor of cavs trash for B-Diddy… that’s straight out disrespectful lol
June 29th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Coop says:
Diddy is over-rated; He’s fat and unfit, he’s not a leader, and he makes too much money.
That said, you could let him go and make cap space and that would be infinitely better than that bizarre offering.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:01 am
sans says:
the funny thing about the Cavs-Diddy trade is that is the only way you can match Baron’s money in the NBA. That included the $10Mill trade exception that the Warriors currently own. Honestly, though, Varejao’s opting out after this year, Wally’s deal’s done, and Damon only has a year left. It’s all about expiring contracts. The worst part of the lives of Cavs fans is that New York doesn’t want to make the Cavs better. No way would they trade Z-bo (or even Stephon) if it will improve King’s existence in Cleveland.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:17 am
ConneX says:
Coop, really? Diddy is fat and overrated? You must have seen him last 3 years ago. The dude is in the best shape of his career, didn’t miss a single game last season and brought his team back to some relevance in the west this past 2 seasons. His just suffering from the pre-championship year-Pierce-syndrome: not a good enough cast around him to go deep. Just like Denver, they can score 389 pts any game but without any great defender, they tend to give up even more points!
Give Diddy a lock down perimeter guy like Bowen and/or a true shot blocking center like Mutombo (I’m throwing out veteran names who wouldn’t cost more than the minimum since the Warriors have a boatload of free agents to resign) and watch all the haters turn into bandwagon fans… Yes, We Believe!
June 29th, 2008 at 9:28 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
You forgot to mention cheap shot Bob won’t give you anything in the post season either.
Can’t hate on him too much thanks to the 3 vs sac back in the day, but I see him as a spur.
What would say Rob’s one team would be?
June 29th, 2008 at 9:44 am
miamiVIS3 says:
Maybe my feelings about this come because of my location but i dont think Zo would leave Miami chasing a ring seeing as he already has one and he may not play anywhere this season. Also Jason richards on the Heat’s summer league team means one of three things
1. The Heat don’t want Chris Quinn back.
2. They plan to trade Marcus Banks
3. They just want to do the kid a favor and let teams get a look at him while adding depth to thier summer league roster.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Celts Fan "Kobe, Tell me how my ass tastes" says:
The Baron rumors are absurd, but if he is definitely intent on leaving, why not pick up some expiring contracts (Damn – who’d be pretty useless in that offense, and Wally – tell me a fast paced team couldn’t use a guy trailing the plays, just spotting up in case the break breaks down that can straight knock down open looks all day) and a guy in Varejao who could definitely get some tick? That said, I’d ONLY do this if Baron’s already said, “Fuck you guys, I’m leaving. The last game was a slap in the face and I won’t play for you again. Trade me if you wanna get something or I’m out for nothing,” and I’m sure there’s a draft pick or 2 mixed in that wasn’t mentioned…
I agree too. DeAndre woulda been perfect for us to roll the dice with and I’m still pretty sure we’d've taken him had Danny known we’d trade for Bill Walker an hour later, but what can you do. We just got 2 athletes that can keep up if we face a quick, running team like Atlanta or GS whose style gave us tons of trouble last year. After finding gems like Ryan Gomes and trading for Leon Powe, Danny’s untouchable, in Danny we trust, but, I really wanted to roll the dice on DeAndre personally. (Though, supposedly Danny’d been watching JR for a few years and really liked him, got tons of assurances that he’s been a changed man in the past few years and is completely accountable and takes the blame for his past mistakes, all good signs. Also, regardless of what’s coming out of Boston, we need to let Tony Allen walk. We just got bigger replacements…)
and yes, I’d take a chance on Swift, as long as you’re not counting on him and NEED him, it’s worth a shot. If your team absolutely NEEDS him to play and take up some minutes in the rotation though, you should pass…
June 29th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Ashlov says:
If the Heat puts together a decent squad (which they have so far), no way Mourning goes to play anywhere else. He may be a dick, but he loves Miami.
June 29th, 2008 at 11:27 am
jackass says:
Damn smack is already getting wayyyy tooo boring now
June 29th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
garbageman33 says:
Someone needs to hand MJ his golf bag and send him on his way. Seriously, he makes Isaiah Thomas look like Red Auerbach.
June 29th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Austin Burton says:
Is there any chance MJ drafts his son when he graduates in 2011? I have a feeling Jeffrey Jordan will transfer from Illinois soon (he’s not getting any PT), so if he goes to a smaller school and puts up anywhere near decent numbers (12 ppg, 4 apg as a PG), does he get taken?
June 29th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
nick says:
i say jordan’s son gets drafted based on his name alone if he puts up any decent numbers. 2nd round it would be but still teams will take a chance on him. Also I think this yr he will get more mins at IU since most freshmen who are walk ons typically don’t get many mins.
anyone hear about the vince carter for wally szcerbiak deal? its absurd but if the nets were trying to get cap room its a smart move from that sense but not basketball smart.
June 29th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
daquest?on says:
i think jordan will pick his son with the last pick the bobcats have
June 29th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Austin Burton says:
If he’s still watching the Draft at that point…
June 29th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
10 to 1 odds mj takes Hansborogh next year
June 29th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
K Dizzle says:
Mike won’t take his kid cuz it sounds like Lil Romeo gonna be better lol
but he’ll prolly get him a summer league invite.
They still got Augustine and Felton and are headin for a raptor-like point guard issue
June 29th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Ashlov says:
So what point guard is Miami going to trade Udonis Haslem for?
June 29th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
GEE...What ya gonna do brother? says:
Again crazy pic by Charlotte one that just didn’t make since, and I am sure after the whole Westbrook thing just further messed up people’s draft boards.
Good to see so many cats getting the summer tryouts that didn’t get drafted. Hopefully 3 to 4 can get on. At least that is what I expect.
I wonder how many folks got that Shaq freestyle for their phones already.
Rob just need to stay in San An if they will have him and then bow out gracefully. I promise he is looking for one more playoff moment.
Hope Houston keeps Deke but ya never know. Dang as much as I love Mourning I don’t want him to come back. Dude already been through to much body wise, and he should just fall back. I would hate to see anything else happen. Guess the game is like crack and it’s just to strong for him to give up.
What would be good for Jordan at this point? Dude ain’t the best at picking players, can’t see coaching so where can he fit in…media. He should get up on the announcing. He would be great to hear from and who ain’t gonna tune in to see what money gone say. Dude is pretty well spoken so he should get up with Charles and Kenny for a few segments. Cause other thangs concerning the Bobacats ain’t working for him.
I am glad Miami got Beasley but I would have liked to see that OJ and Wade combo. Westbrook betta bring it!
June 29th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Remy N says:
At Post #13. Give Dime a break, this is the offseason. What else is there to reprot beside the draft and potential trades.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Ross says:
Damn, I saw Robert Horry at the Cheesecake Factory last week (the one in the Galleria). I just thought he lived in Houston in the summer.