Sam Sharpe – USA Today Sports Images
The Charlotte Bobcats need help. The Bobcats rank in the bottom half of the NBA in every per-game statistical category, offensive and defensive, except for turnovers per game. It’s ok to be surprised. They are, in fact, playing shockingly bad basketball.
Because of this, the Charlotte organization needs to make a change to their roster. They have too many guys that are just clogging up space and not producing at a level that is beneficial to the team. The Bobcats front-office has to find a way to be creative and almost make something out of nothing.
One way to do that is to try and make trade.
Earlier this week, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that the Memphis Grizzlies were shopping veteran power forward Zach Randolph in an attempt to shed some salary, as they owe a guaranteed $140 million over the next two years to their players under contract.
If the rumors are true and Randolph is on the trading-block, Charlotte has to at least attempt to pursue him. They have the pieces that Memphis is looking for, with a plethora of cheap contracts and other one-year deals that will go off the books next season.
One of the better looking trades that was successful on ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine was a deal that sent Bismack Biyombo, Gerald Henderson and DeSagana Diop to the Grizzlies while Randolph comes to Charlotte. This trade makes sense and helps the cause of both franchises.
For Memphis, they pick up Henderson and Diop’s expiring contracts and then get a young post player that could potentially develop in Biyombo for a cheap rookie-level contract over the next three years. In the deal, they also save over $3 million this year.
On the Bobcats’ end, they get one of the most versatile post players in the game that churns out double-doubles constantly and could have an instant impact in Charlotte and only take on a little more salary. Also, they don’t have to give up two of their core young players in Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, presumably, to get the deal done.
As well as getting Randolph’s numbers, they also get the experience and leadership of a proven and charismatic veteran, which could dramatically transform the outlook of this team for years to come.
It’s impossible to know for sure if the Grizzlies are actually taking offers for him and to know if the Bobcats’ package of players and expiring deals is appealing to Memphis. It’s anyone’s guess.
However, if word gets out that he is available, the Bobcats have to make moves to try and acquire him. The move might not only salvage this season, but potentially the franchise as well.
