http://sports.yahoo.com/news/bobcats-considering-trading-down-no-221958001--nba.html;_ylt=AgZZBIPzUV1gOF8rP9WUb5W8vLYF


Bobcats considering trading down from No. 2 slot
By STEVE REED | The Associated Press – 4 hours ago

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) New Charlotte coach Mike Dunlap says the idea of trading down from the No. 2 spot in the NBA draft to acquire extra picks ''makes a lot of sense'' for a young team like the Bobcats.

After finishing 7-59 and with the worst winning percentage (.106) in NBA history, the Bobcats have a variety of holes to fill this offseason.

Dunlap recognizes that.

That's one of the reasons he said the Bobcats are taking a ''hybrid thinking'' approach to Thursday night's draft, which means evaluating the talent available at No. 2 while simultaneously looking into the feasibility of moving down and picking up an additional first-round draft pick.

He said the option of trading down ''is on the board.''

''I think anybody in our situation would have that on the board,'' Dunlap said. ''(Our) people are very smart up top. So options and thinking of your variables is a very smart thing to do.''

Dunlap said the decision on whether to remain at No. 2 or move down will be up to his bosses - general manager Rich Cho and director of basketball operations Rod Higgins. As of right now they're not talking about the draft, although both are expected to address the media at a predraft news conference Wednesday.

The New Orleans Hornets won the NBA lottery and have the No 1 pick.

It would be a major surprise if they don't take Kentucky's Anthony Davis, considered by many a franchise-type player.

The No. 2 pick is a bit more complicated.

There's no consensus pick for that spot with opinions varying on whether Kansas forward Thomas Robinson, Florida guard Bradley Beal, Kentucky swingman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or North Carolina forward Harrison Barnes might be the next best player available.

Dunlap says the front office has ''definitely reduced'' the number of candidates in consideration for the No. 2 pick should the team stand pat.

''That's their job,'' Dunlap said of Cho and Higgins. ''And I'm a resource. But those guys have done a wonderful job all year long of evaluation, so I think they have a clear idea of scenarios. There are many variables, but they have it down.''

One intriguing potential trade partner for the Bobcats could be the Cleveland Cavaliers, who own picks No. 4 and 24.

If the Bobcats trade down it might allow them to acquire an outside shooter.

That's what Dunlap considers the team's most pressing need.

''The ability to make the three is important because it allows you to play inside the 3-point line,'' Dunlap said. ''What happens is a defense collapses and it gets crowded in there. I would say that is safe to say that we need to do that. And we need to do a better job with our spacing, too. But as far as the roster goes it's always nice to have guys who can shoot a basketball.''

The Bobcats worked out four players on Monday including Vanderbilt's John Jenkins, who fits the bill as an outside shooter after shooting 48.3 percent from beyond the arc last season.

Although he's not considered a top 10 pick, he could be an option for the Bobcats with their second-round pick (31st overall). The others that worked out Monday in Charlotte were Missouri's Kim English, Virginia Tech's Dorenzo Hudson and High Point's Nick Barbour.

''I think it's a good draft and I also think there are a lot of guys out there that will be in that top 20 who have won a lot of basketball games,'' Dunlap said. ''They kind of know the expectations. I also think you'll see a lot of wheeling and dealing with teams moving down or up.''

While Dunlap could have some input on draft day decisions, his primary focus has been on developing the players he has on the roster.

He's dove head-first into the challenge.

Known as a no-nonsense coach, Dunlap spent more than two hours Monday working with a handful of Bobcats players including Byron Mullens and last year's rookie lottery picks Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo. The practice was fast-paced and intense in nature.

''Their work ethic and their willingness to learn has been good,'' he said. ''I hope so, it's the honeymoon and there's nothing at stake right now.''

Dunlap, who previously worked as an assistant at St. John's, has also been working on assembling an assistant coaching staff, although nothing is imminent.

''We're going to take our time,'' Dunlap said. ''As they say in the business, hire slow, fire fast. I know that one.''

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That's another option, trading for the #2, as that would make it much easier to get a very good SF. I'd go as far as to trade Klay and the #7 for the #2 and then look to trade the #2 and either RJ or AB to Philly for Iguodala, Turner and the #15. Philly would probably do that as Thomas Robinson would give them the big they need.

After the first pick, the draft can go a lot of ways. I've seen some mocks where the Warriors take Kidd-Gilchrist, Drummond or Dion Waiters. I think MKG's lack of upside may have GMs thinking about taking a gamble with a guy like Drummond who is a 7 foot athletic monster. Lillard has impressed at every workout and could be a lock to goto Portland who needs a point guard. Barnes athleticism has opened the eyes of a few teams as well. I think the lottery can go..

1) New Orleans - Anthony Davis
2) Charlotte - Thomas Robinson
3) Washington - Brad Beal
4) Cleveland - Harrison Barnes
5) Sacramento - Andre Drummond
6) Portland - Damian Lillard
7) Golden State - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
8. Toronto - Dion Waiters
9) Detroit - Meyers Leonard
10) New Orleans - Terrence Ross
11) Portland - Tyler Zeller
12) Milwaukee - John Henson
13) Phoenix - Austin Rivers
14) Houston - Jeremy Lamb

Latest mock draft I've seen has Drummon falling all the way to #9 to Detroit and the Warriors taking Dion Waiters. I'd take Drummond if he is there and don't see how Dion Waiters has more value than him, as a keeper or in a trade.

Houston has also trade Budinger for the TWolves' #18. Houston wants to trade for Dwight even if he says he won't resign there.

Lots of trade talk at the moment as usual.

via chris broussard's twitter

via chris broussard's twitter

8th ave wrote:via chris broussard's twitter

via chris broussard's twitter

typo... or does chris brussard love talking in third person about his twitter use?

Lots of teams calling Denver. 1 of several moves being discussed: Wil Chandler to G State for 7th pick

via chris broussard

lol my bad y'all

Broussard just tweeted that the Warriors are in talks with the Nuggets about swapping the 7th pick for Wilson Chandler. I'd do that in a heartbeat. Chandler is 25 years old. He can play defense and rebound. He's also a solid ball handler and passer. He has a nice chemistry with David Lee from their days in NY together and he's locked up for the next 5 years at $7M a year (averaged), which is very manageable. I would also try to get Timofey Mosgov, by throwing in the 35th pick.

8th ave wrote:Lots of teams calling Denver. 1 of several moves being discussed: Wil Chandler to G State for 7th pick

via chris broussard

lol my bad y'all

Bravo, if that goes down. Chandler is exactly what we need.

Sweeten the deal. Tell Chandler we'll even have Lee give him his tooth back (which I can only assume is a medallion swinging from D-Lee's rear-view-mirror at this point).

I'd rather have Waiters than Chandler, mainly because he'll be far cheaper and with a couple of big contracts off the books next season, we should be poised to make a big FA acquisition or two and still be young as hell.

I agree with JREED. I would rather have the pick, than wilson chandler. 4 years on a rookie scale, versus the 5 year, 38 million dollar deal Chandler signed. Plus, Chandler hasn't really impressed me. His numbers began to decline when he went to Denver. Went to china. We only saw him for a few games last year in the NBA.

To me, he might be a bigger risk (with the contract and years) than a rookie on a pay scale (and bigger upside).

It's a worthwhile concern, but Chandler showed he can be a defensively gritty 15 and 5 guy in New York. Scoring numbers may fluctuate, but he's always around 1 BPG (which is huge for the 3 position) and he hits his free throws. Personally, a versatile, plus-sized athletic, PROVEN 3 (at around $7 mil per) is more valuable to me than rolling the dice on another dime-a-dozen scorer who will crowd the backcourt. Chandler would make our starting 5 playoff worthy:

PG: Steph Curry
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: David Lee
C: Andrew Bogut

And, again, this is an upgrade at a needed position without throwing away any of our other starters in the transaction.

I would do it only if they also take the rotten body of Mum-ra with it.

TRON wrote:I would do it only if they also take the rotten body of Mum-ra with it.

Do I wanna ask?

i was just on realgm and i swear warriors trade rumors are everywhere and im really excited that thats happening. i wouldnt mind wilson chandler. hes young he plays defense he slashes and he doesnt try to be a hero hed be the perfect fit on this team. but i would only make that trade knowing we couldnt get barnes or gilchrist or iggy.

Ditto, Shad, but add Rudy Gay and Luol Deng to that list. Chandler is a nice prize for almost solely the pick, but I'm in favor of making the deal for the most talent possible. To my mind, that puts the veteran list at: Gay > Iggy > Deng > Chandler > Thaddeus Young > Dorell Wright