The Charlotte Bobcats are quite possibly the worst team of the past decade, even worse than the 2004-05 Atlanta Hawks, 2009-10 New Jersey Nets or 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers. With an average margin of defeat of around 14 points -- yes, 14 -- the Bobcats are clearly atrocious on every level.
NBA Trade Deadline 2012: Bobcats Need To Keep Rolling Dice
At last year's deadline, the Bobcats dealt their best player (Gerald Wallace) for expiring contracts and a pick; on draft day, Charlotte dealt Stephen Jackson to move up and take Bismack Biyombo and Kemba Walker with two top-10 picks. Walker is currently coming off the bench behind D.J. Augustin. Biyombo is now up to 16.5 minutes per game. Things are going great.
NEEDS & TARGETS
Charlotte needs everything. There's no guarantee Walker or Biyombo will work out long-term, and while Gerald Henderson might be a keeper at two-guard, there's nothing remotely untouchable on this team ... except for the Bobcats' 2012 first-round pick. Charlotte won't get Portland's first-round pick from the Wallace deal until 2013 at the earliest, and the Bobcats do owe Chicago a protected first for Tyrus Thomas (guh).
Every single veteran should be available for a first-round pick. From Thomas to Corey Maggette to Boris Diaw (ha!) -- sell, sell, sell. That's easier said than done, of course; teams would be rolling their own dice to pick up any of those guys. Even though Diaw's contract expires at season's end, his lethargy could be contagious.
Charlotte needs to amass draft picks. One pick this year and two in the top-20 next year are not going to get it done.
SALARY CAP SITUATION
Charlotte is at $58 million, just a hair under the salary cap, according to Shamsports.com. That means the Bobcats could become a cap mule on small deals for teams trying to escape the tax. Picks ought to be the price.
For more on the Bobcats, visit Rufus On Fire.
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