Expansion ideas

[Celtic4Hire@xxxxxxx]

See the quote below from Danny from the 11/2 Herald. It has been previously 
reported that Mark Blount was signed for a multi-year deal that was 
undisclosed. Yet, the quote below indicates that he will be a free agent. Perhaps Blount 
has an option out. If true and the Cs and he had mutual interest, they could 
tell him to opt out but resign. You got to be thinking that Danny has been 
considering the expansion draft when he is doing his dealing....

<     ``This isn't a knock on Antoine, but for players like Kedrick and
Marcus, more movement of the ball this year is going to be important in
their development. If everyone develops, then maybe we won't need that
mid-level exception. Maybe it will leave us more money to re-sign Eric
(Williams) or Mark Blount.''>

Also, James is on a one-year deal per HoopsHype so he will also be a free 
agent. So here is my thinking on the expansion draft unless we make further 
trades:

Free agents: James, EWill, Blount, Mills
Keep: Jones, Welsch, Kedrick, Kendrick, Banks, Hunter, PP and Battie is no. 
8. He is the bubble man.
Available: Baker, LaFrentz, McCarty.

Explanation: The Bobcats as an expansion team would love any of the players 
we are keeping as they are cheap and have upside. I grant that we have too many 
small forwards and guards in this list. Another way to go would be to figure 
out the odd man and make him available instead of LaFrenz. 

But here is the thinking on Baker and LaFrentz. If they take Baker, we 
instantly go from 50 million in salaries to 35 million. That would allow us 10 
million for a free agent plus another 5 million for the mid-level exception. If 
they take LaFrenz, it allows us 4 to 5 million for a free agent plus another 5 
million for the mid-level exception. Even though his contract is for five years 
and he has not been incorporated in our offense, he might be the guy to keep 
if we can move Battie for an expiring contract. Baker is obviously playing 
better and has a shorter contract length of two years, but the possibility of 
getting a big time player using the 10 million makes it a no-brainer....

This also amplifies the problem of EWill and Battie. We don't want to spend 
anything other than the minimum to resign EWill but he will likely demand more. 
Battie is sucking down dollars (although at not to unreasonable numbers) at a 
position where we have cheaper players available who are better. That is why 
it is best to trade them to get value (draft picks) and resolve the roster 
problems....

DJessen33