Melvin Ely?

[Muggum]

Word on Hoopshype is that we may be looking to trade for Melvin Ely. What, if anything, does anyone know?

Muggum

 

[Chaplin]

Here's the article:
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/15560676.htm

Bobcats show interest in Wells
Bickerstaff to meet with representatives of swingman this week
RICK BONNELL
[email protected]
Is Bonzi Wells in the Charlotte Bobcats' future?

Coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff confirmed Tuesday that he plans discussions with Wells' representatives sometime this week, to gauge the free-agent swingman's interest in signing here.

Wells, 30, averaged 13.6 points and 7.7 rebounds last season for the Sacramento Kings. He's also been linked to the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat. Since scoring at the wing positions is a clear need for the Bobcats, Wells' skill set would be a good fit. Also, Charlotte is several million under the salary cap, so it could seemingly make a competitive offer.

The greater question is a roster spot. The Bobcats have 15 players under contract, plus a qualifying offer of about $3 million to restricted free agent Melvin Ely. Bickerstaff indicated resolving Ely's situation probably takes precedence over any other move between now and the start of training camp Tuesday in Wilmington.

A source familiar with the situation said the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors have some interest in acquiring Ely in a sign-and-trade. The Bobcats are loaded at power forward, with Emeka Okafor and Sean May recovering from injuries. Charlotte can also use Walter Herrmann and Othella Harrington at that position.

Ely has at least until Sunday to sign the one-season qualifying offer and return the Bobcats. After that the team could pull the offer, although Bickerstaff has said repeatedly he'd welcome Ely back for this season.

 

[JS22]

My guess is that the Suns are offering James Jones and a filler. (pick?)

 

[The Commish]

My guess is that the Suns are offering James Jones and a filler. (pick?)

Which is maybe why we are looking to bring in Varem.

 

[asudevil83]

Jones/Burke/2nd for Ely?

 

[JS22]

Which is maybe why we are looking to bring in Varem.

Exactly.

 

[elindholm]

Jones/Burke/2nd for Ely?

I would guess that Burke and a second-round pick have very close to zero value combined. In fact the value is probably slightly negative, since a Suns second-round pick figures to be very close to the end of the draft. No one wants Burke, and if he has to be included for salary purposes, my guess is that the Bobcats will want a future first-round pick or cash to make the deal palatable.

Jumaine Jones's signing makes James Jones expendable, but only if Jumaine stays past this year, which he very well may not. And with James as the de facto backup PF (the way things are shaping up), I'd prefer to hold onto him.

Varem is 6' 6". It's hard to see him making the roster, but even if he does, he doesn't address the big man problem.

 

[Chaplin]

I bet our first rounder next year is included in the offer.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Wow. That move, if it were to happen, would definitely settle me down quite a bit. I would be THRILLED if we traded on of our five 3's for a legit 5. You know I gotta do a numbers breakdown....

Nash - 30/Banks - 18
Bell - 28/Barbosa - 20
Marion - 30/Diaw - 10/Jones - 7/Piatkowski - 1
Stoudemire - 32/Diaw - 12/Marion - 4
Thomas - 20/Ely - 20/Diaw - 6/Marks - 2

I like....

 

[Chaplin]

Wow. That move, if it were to happen, would definitely settle me down quite a bit. I would be THRILLED if we traded on of our five 3's for a legit 5. You know I gotta do a numbers breakdown....

Nash - 30/Banks - 18
Bell - 28/Barbosa - 20
Marion - 30/Diaw - 10/Jones - 7/Piatkowski - 1
Stoudemire - 32/Diaw - 12/Marion - 4
Thomas - 20/Ely - 20/Diaw - 6/Marks - 2

I like....

Who did you trade in this scenario? Burke? That's not going to get it done.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Who did you trade in this scenario? Burke? That's not going to get it done.

You may also notice upon closer inspection that there is only one Jones in my roster scenario....

I would think Jones/Burke/1st would get this done....

 

[elindholm]

I think it's very unrealistic to project that Ely would see anything more than spot duty for the Suns. Yes, he got solid time on the Bobcats, but those are the Bobcats. He's 28 years old and really hasn't shown much during his four years in the league. There's a reason that the market for him is so underwhelming.

Frankly I'd rather have Voskuhl back. He's only six months older, his rebounding rate is better than Ely's, his FG% and FT% are both higher, his turnover rate is much lower, and his foul rate is only a little worse.

 

[The Commish]

You may also notice upon closer inspection that there is only one Jones in my roster scenario....

I would think Jones/Burke/1st would get this done....

I doubt that Charlotte wants to take on two players since they already have 15.

My guess is Jones/2008 1st

 

[Chaplin]

I doubt that Charlotte wants to take on two players since they already have 15.

My guess is Jones/2008 1st

I'm wondering if they'll even take a player back. If they trade Ely to free up a roster spot, it stands to reason, they wouldn't want anyone back. Don't we have a small TE from one of our trades (Boston, I believe)? That and a pick would probably be more what they are looking for.

 

[Evil Ash]

I doubt that Charlotte wants to take on two players since they already have 15.

My guess is Jones/2008 1st

Burke is a player making the veteran's minimum so they could just make the move and then promptly waive him.

 

[Evil Ash]

I'm wondering if they'll even take a player back. If they trade Ely to free up a roster spot, it stands to reason, they wouldn't want anyone back. Don't we have a small TE from one of our trades (Boston, I believe)? That and a pick would probably be more what they are looking for.

We have a $1.8 million trade exemption from the Brian Grant trade. I don't see Ely going down to that amount

 

[Chaz]

We have a $1.8 million trade exemption from the Brian Grant trade. I don't see Ely going down to that amount

Couldn't we use that along with the min salary of Burke to get close to the $3M qualifying offer Ely has with the Bobcats?


I think Chap is right about Jones though. Why would they want him if Charlotte is trying to clear a roster spot?


EDIT: DOH! can't use two exceptions. (player and an exception)

 

[hawaiiansun]

noo!!! I don't want James Jones gone =(

 

[Errntknght]

Charlotte is under the cap so they could accept a player without trading one back to us, but the Suns are over the cap so they have to send approximately equal value back in order to accept a player in a trade.

I'm not sure they can effectively use Burke in a trade - I vaguely recall reading the players signed to vet minimum contracts count as zero value in a trade. It makes sense that that should be true because otherwise a team could sign three vet min players and trade them for one player who wasn't - which defeats the purpose of letting a team sign all the vet min players they want.

 

[Joe Mama]

Which is maybe why we are looking to bring in Varem.

I wouldn't overanalyze them bringing in Varem. He is camp fodder.

Joe

 

[JCSunsfan]

Jones/Burke/2nd for Ely?

I would guess that Burke and a second-round pick have very close to zero value combined. In fact the value is probably slightly negative, since a Suns second-round pick figures to be very close to the end of the draft. No one wants Burke, and if he has to be included for salary purposes, my guess is that the Bobcats will want a future first-round pick or cash to make the deal palatable.

Jumaine Jones's signing makes James Jones expendable, but only if Jumaine stays past this year, which he very well may not. And with James as the de facto backup PF (the way things are shaping up), I'd prefer to hold onto him.

Varem is 6' 6". It's hard to see him making the roster, but even if he does, he doesn't address the big man problem.

If James Jones is included in the deal, I believe he has similar trade value to Ely. OUR first round pick is really pretty much second round value next year, but I am against throwing it in, we've just "thrown in" too many picks lately.

 

[Chaplin]

Come on guys, the article clearly states that their issue is not having a roster spot for Bonzi Wells, if he decides to go there. How would trading James Jones for Ely help them?

 

[elindholm]

If James Jones is included in the deal, I believe he has similar trade value to Ely.

I agree. That's why I said "if" Burke has to be included "for salary purposes," a first-round pick could be used to offset his (Burke's) negative value.

The Suns aren't keeping all three of their picks next summer anyway. Remember that, owing to the luxury tax, the guaranteed first-round picks' salaries will count double. (The Suns will be either right at the tax line or over it, and the only large salary that could be moved out is Marion's, which apparently the Suns aren't willing to do.)

I've read all the hype about how strong the upcoming draft is going to be, but if the Suns couldn't find anyone they wanted in this past summer's draft, how likely is it that they'll find three players they want next summer, especially when they have to pay double for them?

 

[TBaslim]

I'll echo Chap's point - it would likely be a combo of trade exception, cash (not!) or draft pick - or waivable player. Bobcats want roster room, not players (it appears).

 

[Chaplin]

Eric, I doubt you'll find anyone that expects us to keep all 3 picks next season. My guess is that we'll probably get rid of the Cleveland pick first, since it has more value than our own pick and isn't as highly valued as the potential 4-6 pick.