OT: The Hornets just got ripped off by the Thunder

[Diamondback Jay]

Granted, I understand that the Hornets are looking to shed salary and all, but I'd imagine they could have done better than the expiring contracts of Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox for Tyson Chandler.

Don't look now, but the Thunder have a pretty nice base for the future to build around. Chandler gives them a good presence in the middle and brings some defensive orientation to their roster. Their starting five of Westbrook, Green, Durant, Chandler and Collison or Kristic is solid.

 

[lou_skywalker]

actually they are improving every game and is gradually climbing up the hills of the Wild West.
hope this situation does not happen to us IF we trade Amare or Shaq.

 

[CaptainInsano]

This is really sad. The problem from what I hear is the ticket and merchandise sales in NO even with that team being a solid competitor were just absolutely abysmal.

Unlike sarver who during our peak years was making gobs of money, the hornets literally didn't have much of an option but to do a salary dump.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Honestly, this is pretty much an even deal. Joe Smith and Wilcox provide the Hornets much much depth in the post then they have had all season, while shredding salary off their payroll for next year.

If Chandler goes down again or his ankle injury gets worse, they were done.

 

[Mulli]

This is really sad. The problem from what I hear is the ticket and merchandise sales in NO even with that team being a solid competitor were just absolutely abysmal.

Unlike sarver who during our peak years was making gobs of money, the hornets literally didn't have much of an option but to do a salary dump.

Hornets will leave NO in the next three years

 

[az jam]

Hornets will leave NO in the next three years

But where would they go??? Doesn't seem to be a city out there capable of supporting an NBA team.

 

[Gambo is a Turd]

Hornets will leave NO in the next three years

Hopefully, Seattle can get a team. I am wondering if the Sonics actually leaving has caused anyone up there to reconsider public financing for a new arena.

 

[elindholm]

Brutal. I feel sorry for Chris Paul.

 

[Black Jesus]

Chris Wilcox is every bit as good as Tyson Chandler. Chandler had one good season where people cared about him. Chris Wilcox is a grind it out player.

 

[Andrew]

Their Paul-to-Chandler offense is gone, they were already slipping, will they slip some more? I think if they do, its because of this trade.

 

[Mulli]

NBA should go all contraction on at least Memphis and NO

 

[Iverson03]

The whole league is looking to shed salaries then improving this days

 

[abomb]

Nice, but sad, trade. 'tis the state of the NBA economy.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

No pick involved means memphis won this by a landslide. Wilcox and Smith are expiring, so it's not like this was a long term answer.

I vote for the Hornets to move to Vegas and the Clippers to move to Seattle in the upcoming years.

 

[joshstmarie]

Their Paul-to-Chandler offense is gone, they were already slipping, will they slip some more? I think if they do, its because of this trade.

Paul to chandler offense? you mean the 3 alley oops a game?

 

[lou_skywalker]

Paul to chandler offense? you mean the 3 alley oops a game?

not just that. It also includes some drive & dish stuff. last year Chandler really owned the paint. This season we hear more from D West, but Chandler is still a big part in rebounds and stuff.
Interesting 2 see how they adjust.

 

[da_suns_fan]

It could be worse.

They could have thrown in two unprotected picks and gotten NOTHING in return a la Kerr with the KT trade.

 

[elindholm]

Chris Wilcox is every bit as good as Tyson Chandler. Chandler had one good season where people cared about him. Chris Wilcox is a grind it out player.

"Agree to disagree." That said, I don't think I've ever heard anyone refer to Wilcox as hard-working before. It's not that Chandler is fantastic or Wilcox is terrible, but there is a big gap between them. Also, Wilcox is much smaller than his listed size -- this was revealed in the Chicago camp the summer he was drafted. He's listed as a center by default because his offensive skills are lacking.

 

[joshstmarie]

It could be worse.

They could have thrown in two unprotected picks and gotten NOTHING in return a la SAVER with the KT trade.

fixed.

 

[Covert Rain]

"Agree to disagree." That said, I don't think I've ever heard anyone refer to Wilcox as hard-working before. It's not that Chandler is fantastic or Wilcox is terrible, but there is a big gap between them. Also, Wilcox is much smaller than his listed size -- this was revealed in the Chicago camp the summer he was drafted. He's listed as a center by default because his offensive skills are lacking.

I agree. Chandler is better then Wilcox. I think the Hornets still think they are 1 tier below the elite teams with Chandler. So, getting a tad worse, shedding some salary to maybe allow future flexibility it probably the strategy here.

 

[TheHopToad]

OKC is gonna be good and soon. They have five first round picks over the next two years.

 

[HooverDam]

OKC has a nice young core now and about a zillion first round picks coming up, they could be the next Portland. They'll need to be clever about their contracts though as they could have a lot of talented young guys coming up for new deals all at once.

But where would they go??? Doesn't seem to be a city out there capable of supporting an NBA team.

Seattle if they fix up the Key Arena. Kansas City has the Sprint Center sitting empty, waiting for a team. Las Vegas could build a stadium easily and the NBA would be great there (if they're willing to take the perceived risk). San Diego could probably support a team but getting stadiums built in California is tough (Id love to see the Clippers move back to SD or at least to Anaheim).

 

[Hat]

OKC has a nice young core now and about a zillion first round picks coming up, they could be the next Portland. They'll need to be clever about their contracts though as they could have a lot of talented young guys coming up for new deals all at once.



Seattle if they fix up the Key Arena. Kansas City has the Sprint Center sitting empty, waiting for a team. Las Vegas could build a stadium easily and the NBA would be great there (if they're willing to take the perceived risk). San Diego could probably support a team but getting stadiums built in California is tough (Id love to see the Clippers move back to SD or at least to Anaheim).

Clippers need to move back to SD. It makes NO sense to have two LA teams. No one supports them here, and SD is a growing city that loves sports.

 

[arwillan]

Clippers need to move back to SD. It makes NO sense to have two LA teams. No one supports them here, and SD is a growing city that loves sports.

I agree. I go to UCLA, and i don't know one person who wouldn't rather watch a Bruins or Lakers game than a Clippers game, even though clippers games are generally far cheaper. San Diego is a lot bigger than most people know (9th largest in the U.S, i believe) and the clippers could really do well there. However, with the present state of the economy, I doubt any more teams are going to be shuffling around.

 

[dodie53]

will NO resign Wilcox?
how much do you think would Wilcox command?