The title of this article is misleading. It suggests that jettisoning veterans is, in fact, the Charlotte Bobcats’ problem, and I suppose that it can’t really be denied that by giving away guys like Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace, win totals are inevitably going to drop. But really, in the big picture of the franchise, dumping long-term contracts in favor of younger guys and draft picks is a much friendlier way to rebuild.

While you can make the playoffs behind guys like Wallace and Jackson, it probably would only ever happen as a seven or eight seed, and even then you’re most likely looking at a first-round loss.

When that happens, when a team is only good enough to barely miss the lottery, just sneak into the postseason, and then immediately lose, there’s simply no way to get better. You can’t win a ring, but you also can’t draft top rookies. Unless you get lucky with a late pick or a trade, there’s no way you’re ever going to slip out of that basketball purgatory unless you do something dramatic.

Something like, say, trading away all of your best players.

It’s really the only way for a team to truly rebuild. Sometimes, the only way to get better is to get worse.

In Charlotte’s case, that’s exactly what they’ve done. A year ago they made their first playoff appearance in franchise history, and within twelve months they had traded away the best player in their franchise’s history (Wallace) for Dante Cunningham, Sean Marks, Joel Przybilla, the draft pick that would eventually turn into Tobias Harris (traded to Milwaukee as part of the deal that shipped out Jackson and brought back Corey Maggette and Bismack Biyombo), and a 2013 first-rounder. It sounds like a lot, but it really isn’t.

So why make the deal? Two reasons—first, they’re hoping Biyombo and whomever they get with that 2013 pick play a huge role in this rebuilding process. Secondly, they’re hunkering down to be bad for a few years so that they can stockpile a few more lottery picks and put together a core they can move forward and grow with.

Despite whatever talent they currently have on the payroll, the only ones that appear to be part of this long-term plan include Biyombo, fellow rookie Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson, and Tyrus Thomas. If they’re bad enough in 2011-2012, and there’s no reason to think that they can’t be, they’ll have a shot at top-tier guys in June’s draft, as well. Anthony Davis, Quincy Miller, Harrison Barnes, and Jared Sullinger all are guys that could help alter the fate of a franchise, and that ’12 draft class has plenty more guys that could bloom into perennial all-stars as well.

A group built around the four current Bobcats listed above, plus Davis or Barnes, plus two more first-round picks in 2013 (maybe—eventually they’re going to have to give up a first-rounder to Chicago from the Tyrus Thomas trade) will be plenty young, but will also feature plenty of big-name talent from three or four consecutive draft classes.

That’s perfect for Charlotte, because in their current financial standing it’s ideal for their best players to be on rookie deals, anyway. Considering that literally every other big veteran contract on the book (Maggette, DeSagana Diop, Boris Diaw, Matt Carroll, and even D.J. Augustin should they decide to let him go) will expire either this coming summer or in the summer of 2013, the ‘Cats look like they’re in pretty good shape to be more or less where they want to be in two years’ time.

The real challenge—and this sounds odd, I know—is playing poorly enough in the meantime to contend for the draft picks they really need. They must resist the temptation to play the vets and instead give the younger players a full opportunity to learn and grow. If they can do that, then rebuilding will go much more smoothly, at least for the long-term.

It’s not going to be pretty in the meantime, but these types of things rarely are. What matters is that the organization drafts well, steers clear of any big veteran contracts, and lets the next generation of Charlotte Bobcats come into their own. If they can do that, they’ll be all right. Eventually.

Photo by donaldmacleod on Flickr

June 26, 2008: The Charlotte Bobcats pick D.J. Augustin with the ninth pick in the draft. This is surprising, as they already have Raymond Felton on the roster. Everyone assumes that they’re planning to trade one of them as soon as possible. They don’t, though — when the season begins, Augustin backs up the former number-five pick and shares the floor with him, too.

April 15, 2009: On the last night of the regular season, Charlotte loses by 25 to the eventual Eastern-Conference Champion Orlando Magic. It finishes 35-47, a new franchise-best in its first year under coach Larry Brown. Felton and Augustin start together for the third straight game and combine for a total of three assists whilst shooting 4-16 from the field. This is the same day that Bill Simmons publishes his MVP column, angering the blogosphere by calling Felton “the guy I’d pursue this summer if I ran an NBA team” and comparing him to Chauncey Billups.  He credits Felton for dealing with “ten weeks of trade rumors” and, at season’s end, many assume Felton is done with Charlotte as he approaches restricted free agency. Augustin’s promising rookie year means that Felton seems expendable, especially when looking at the rookie’s excellent efficiency in games in which he started, that Magic game notwithstanding.

September 22, 2009: Felton signs a one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer to stay with the Bobcats. David A. Arnott writes, “here’s hoping that Felton backs up Augustin by default going into the season.” Tom Ziller writes that Felton has “proved if nothing else over four seasons that he is just not very good.”

December 5, 2009: After losing confidence and shooting less frequently and accurately than he did as a rookie, Augustin registers his second straight DNP-CD with Philadelphia in town. Felton hits the game-winning layup, playing through bruised ribs. Larry Brown says of Augustin’s benching a month into his sophomore season, “He hasn’t defended like he needs to defend. He hasn’t made shots. He hasn’t distributed the ball.” Ten days later, Frank Isola writes that Augustin is a “player of interest” for the New York Knicks.

April 26, 2010: The Bobcats are swept by the Magic in their first playoff series in franchise history. Augustin averages 18 minutes and shoots 5-17 from the floor in those four games. Felton averages 32 minutes a game and, like everyone else going up against that Orlando defense, failed to score efficiently. With unrestricted free agency looming, his future is once again uncertain.

July 9, 2010: Felton signs a two-year, $15 million contract with the New York Knicks, three days after Amar’e Stoudemire signs there. This is the Knicks’ big free agent splash, after spending years creating cap room. I’d say this means Augustin is no longer a “player of interest” for the organization.

October 27, 2010: In his first game as a full-time starting point guard, Augustin scores 8 points on 2-10 shooting and adds 5 assists in 40 minutes against the eventual-champion Mavericks. Charlotte loses by 15.

December 4, 2010: The Bobcats lose by 18 in Philadelphia and Gerald Wallace says that they look like an AAU team and miss Felton. He continues,  “D.J. doesn’t have the fight. Not to compare them as far as abilities, but D.J.’s personality is not as high as Ray’s was as far as aggression and attitude on the court. D.J. is more laid-back.” Larry Brown familiarly says, “We don’t play together, we don’t play hard enough. We don’t move the ball, we don’t defend as a team.” Stephen Jackson adds, “We had such professionals last year… And Raymond led this team.” Meanwhile in Chicago, Raymond Felton records his first 20-point game and his first 10-assist game as a Knick. He shares the floor with another small guard, Toney Douglas, who scores a career-high 30 points. The two combine to shoot 9-15 on threes against the team that would finish with the best record and best defense in the league.

December 21, 2010: The Bobcats take a 1-point lead into the fourth quarter at home against Oklahoma City, then allow a 25-3 run. They register their first field goal with 2:52 left in the game and go on to lose by 18. Due to first-half foul trouble, Augustin only plays 18 minutes. Backup PG and personal favorite Shaun Livingston plays 18 and Sherron Collins, called up from the D-League that day, plays 13. The next day, the Thunder lose to Felton and co. in New York. Also, Larry Brown is fired in Charlotte.

December 27, 2010: Augustin plays his first game under new coach Paul Silas. He scores 27 points on 15 shots in 36 minutes in a 5-point win over the Pistons. Gerald Wallace says, “He was free. He looked like a little kid at the park, just out there playing ball.” Silas adds, “Raymond wasn’t nearly the shooter this kid is, but he was stronger and more vocal. At the end of the day, you’ve got to (accept) they’re two different people.” Two days later, Augustin scores 28 on 14 shots against the Cavaliers and Tim Povtak publishes a feature where Felton says, “I think now, I’ve found my home. I’ve found it. I’d love to spend the rest of my career in New York. When this contract ends, hopefully we’ll work out another one.” A day after that, Felton has his worst shooting night as a Knick, finishing with 14 points on 6-22 shooting, including 1-7 on threes. New York loses to Orlando by 9. This is the beginning of a regression to the mean — at this point an All-Star candidate, Felton shoots 29% in January, struggling to convert floaters and layups. His team loses six straight games against Western Conference opponents starting on January 12, as we are bombarded with stories about Carmelo Anthony coming to NYC.

February 21, 2011: A day after the All-Star Weekend, Felton, along with just about every asset New York has, is traded to the Denver Nuggets as part of a package for Carmelo Anthony. His replacement? Chauncey Billups. Once again, he finds himself teamed with a younger point guard: his successor at UNC, Ty Lawson. There is much speculation over whether or not Denver will trade him somewhere else in the next three days. Meanwhile, Augustin is hoping the break will be the end of a slump that saw him shoot 14-49 over six games.

February 24, 2011: On trade deadline day, the Bobcats trade Gerald Wallace to the Blazers for a pair of first-round picks. This solidifies that the team is in rebuilding mode, a process that began with letting Felton walk and trading Tyson Chandler to Dallas the previous summer. Felton remains a Nugget, despite his agent saying the previous day, “Raymond is not going to be a backup.” He makes his debut that night on TNT, coming off the bench to score four points in a strange 14-point victory over a depleted Celtics squad. Marv Albert quotes Scott Schroeder during the broadcast. Felton continues to come off the bench for the rest of the year, but gets about the same amount of playing time as Lawson on an incredibly fun team that has similar depth at every position.

April 13, 2011: Charlotte ends its regular season with a win over an Atlanta team resting its starters. Augustin finishes the season on a high note, averaging 16.7 points and 10.7 assists with 65% shooting in his last three games, though it should be added that none of them had playoff implications on either side. In an exit interview the next day, Stephen Jackson tells Silas and General Manager Rod Higgins that he wants to stay in Charlotte. Jackson also has a revealing end-of-season presser, saying that he lost respect for Larry Brown before the season when Brown told him that they weren’t going to be a playoff team. Augustin adds, “We have a good coach now.” Felton sits out of Denver’s final game of the regular season against the Jazz, so he can rest for the highly-anticipated THUNDERNUGGETS matchup.

April 25, 2011: The Nuggets avoid a sweep and Felton gets his first playoff victory of his career. It was mostly thanks to starting point guard Ty Lawson’s 27 points, though. Two nights later, their season ends in OKC. The next day, General Manager Manager Masai Ujiri says, “We are going to try and keep the core together and build from here.” With a team characterized by interchangeable high-quality parts and no true stars, however, one has to wonder who makes up the “core.”

June 23, 2011: On draft day, new Charlotte GM Rich Cho pulls off a three-team deal with the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings. Going out are Stephen Jackson and Shaun Livingston, coming in are Corey Maggette and the #7 pick in the draft. The Bobs already owned the #9 pick, but added another with their sights set on a defensive big. They unsurprisingly took Bismack Biyombo at #7, then at #9 they chose Kemba Walker, an undersized point guard. Immediately, there were questions about Augustin’s future with the team. Also that night, Felton was traded to the Blazers for Andre Miller. This is his third new team in less than a year, after spending his first five years with the Bobcats. Thankfully, he’s reunited with Gerald Wallace, the original Bobcat.

It’s been three years since they were questionably aligned in Charlotte and I’m not sure either of these point guards has found his place yet. Felton, the superior player based on his defensive ability and relative consistency, has found himself in a superior situation — he has talented teammates and he does not have a highly-touted rookie competing with him for minutes. However, he’s let himself go this summer to the point where Jonathan Abrams said, “he looks like a roly-poly.” So there’s that.

Augustin’s in a tricky spot, even if he knows it well. He can play with the younger Walker for stretches on a rebuilding team, but we all know they can’t both be part of the long-term plan. On the court, these players are extremely similar right now, but Kemba’s bringing Charlotte the personality, the smile, and the NCAA Champion pedigree, while Augustin is weighed down by years of up-and-down play and a continually shifting role. It feels like the best thing for Augustin is to get a fresh start somewhere else. Mind you, if there’s one thing that we’ve learned through this saga, one’s place within the context of a team and in the landscape of the NBA can change instantaneously.

Tags: D.J. Augustin, justtradedj, Raymond Felton, rolypoly4lyfe

Charlotte Bobcats 6-10 forward Tyrus Thomas is known for his sensational dunks and acrobatic plays and is a key part of the team’s future. He just completed his fifth season in the NBA, averaging 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds. Thomas lives year-round in Charlotte, and he will answer questions from readers. Here’s his first correspondence:

Q. What have you been doing since the season ended?

I’ve been continuing a little rehab on my knee and now I’m back working out. I’ve been really working on my mental approach to the game. I’ve done that by watching film, studying myself, and being more analytical, rather than spontaneous, in my everyday life. I must say though, the highlight of my summer has been my wedding!

Q. What part of your game do you want to improve and how are you working to get better?

I’m always working to improve every part of my game. Right now my biggest focus is a go-to move with my back to the basket.

Q. Do you think the NBA season will start on time?

Hopefully the NBA season starts on time. I honestly don’t know what to think. I just have to hope for the best and expect the worst.

Q. Do you live in Charlotte, and what are your impressions of the city?

My wife and I have decided to make the Queen City home. We absolutely love it here. The people have been so friendly and genuine. How could we want to leave?

Q. What books have you read this year?

Though I’m not a big book reader, I’ve read most of “Decoded” by Jay-Z. I’ve also read “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu.

Q. What Bobcat players have you become close to?

Gerald Henderson has become part of my family, literally. His name is mentioned in my house every day. His dog and my dogs are playground buddies. We’ve been working out and rehabbing together, preparing ourselves to help our team succeed.

Q. Tell us about your wife, how you met and how she’s influenced you…?

My friends all say my wife is my “tamer.” She’s perfect for me because she’s the only one that can calm me down when I’m fired up. She is!

We met in the sixth grade but didn’t date until senior year of high school. Through college and my years in the NBA we had more than many rough patches, breakups, and hiatuses.

Through it all our love stayed strong and persevered. She’s pushes me every day to be a better Tyrus Thomas.

Q. You are known for your ability to hang in the air and pull off spectacular, highlight plays. What allows you do that?

I have to give credit for all my jumping ability to God.

With anxiety about the upcoming 2011-12 NBA season on our minds during this long and hot summer, it’s nice to reach out to players to get their pulse on various things.  We did exactly that, and our efforts resulted in having a great conversation with one of the nicest players in the league: D.J. White of the Charlotte Bobcats.

In White’s short three-year NBA career he’s weathered through countless challenges.

Let’s back up just a bit first.

White enjoyed a four-year college career at Indiana; in his senior year, his attention-grabbing averages of 17.4 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game led to the 2008 Big Ten Player of the Year title being bestowed upon him.  He also led the nation in field-goal shooting percentage (.605).

He was picked in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft (No. 29) by the Detroit Pistons; a draft-day trade landed him with Oklahoma City Thunder franchise.  Instead of having the chance to cement his spot as a rotation player at the start of the season, the 6’9″ forward instead faced medical issues and surgeries unrelated to basketball.  As a result, he only appeared in seven games during his rookie year. 

The next two seasons consisted of a flurry of D-League assignments (where he shined) and marginal playing time with the Thunder (due to the teams’ depth), culminating in a trade last February to the Charlotte Bobcats.

“I looked at it as ‘it’s part of the business’.  No hard feelings at all,” White told HOOPSWORLD about the trade.  “I’m still in contact with those guys.  We had a special bond.  I was pulling for them during the playoffs.”

However difficult it was to leave the only NBA team he had known, White embraced the move.

“It was an opportunity to get on the court and further my career,” he explained.

In Charlotte, White did get that opportunity for immediate playing time with Tyrus Thomas out with injury.  He turned heads in his third game against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 11 points, grabbing seven rebounds, blocking two shots, and shooting field goals at .714 in 19.19 minutes of playing time.  In just 24 total games with Charlotte, White averaged 8.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, .526 FG% at 19.4 mpg.

He took real advantage of the extended playing time with his new team and was able to show his solid mid-range jumper, team defense and high-energy hustling.  He may have surprised some people.  A quick check of his “Per 36 Minutes” stats shows career double-digit scoring (average 15.3 ppg) and 8.4 in rebounding.  His PER (Player Efficiency Rating) in 2008-09 was an unbelievable 25.9 (in twelve games) and a respectable 17.7 last year.

White is under contract for the upcoming season.  The following year, Charlotte has the option of extending him a qualifying offer, thereby making him a restricted free agent.  Of course, the collective bargaining agreement may affect the numbers.  White feels like he found a good home.

“I would love to be there long term,” he shared.  “They really gave me an opportunity to get out on the court and show what I can do.  Love the fans, city and my teammates.”

Ideally, White would be working with the team’s staff and using the facilities right now, capitalizing on the solid effort he displayed in Charlotte and preparing for the 2011-12 season.  The NBA lockout has prevented any such contact with the team.

We asked White if the reality of the lockout had set in yet, or would it not seem real until training camp days were missed.

“It has set in, just for the fact (we) have no communication and can’t work with our coaches when you’re in town,” he responded.

“I’m following it (the lockout) from all the updates we get.”

Bobcats coach Paul Silas advised his players the most important job they have during this lockout is to stay in shape.

White received that message loud and clear.

“I’m currently working out with Eric Gordon (White’s former Indiana teammate, now with the Los Angeles Clippers) and a college teammate of mine, Earl Calloway, who plays in Spain.  Our strength coach from college, Jeff Watkinson, is working us out.”

Silas had targeted White for participation in the 2011 Las Vegas Summer League, but the lockout effectively ended that annual event.  White sounded wistful when we asked him if missing development time, such as that gained in the Summer League, hurt players who are still carving out their place.

“I think it does hurt players in a way,” said White.  “Summer League gets you the style and play of your team and NBA.

“Hopefully, we can get a deal done soon and not miss games.”

White is well aware of certain players flocking overseas while the lockout continues.  We wondered if he was entertaining the thought of playing abroad.

“No, I haven’t thought about it really,” he answered.  “But who knows?  I just want to play basketball.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” he continued.  “Guys want to play, so I’m behind guys that (get) the chance to go play.”

The Bobcats failed to reach the playoffs (34-48) last year.  In fact, they’ve landed in fourth place of the Southeast Conference the past seven years, which is equal to the duration of their franchise’s existence.

In February, the team decided to shake things up.  They sent one of their best players, Gerald Wallace, to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for three players (Joel Przybilla, Sean Marks and Dante Cunningham) and first-round picks.

This move was reflective of Charlotte’s decision to spark a youth movement; to that end, creating cap space, even rebuilding the team, was deemed necessary.

In June’s draft, Charlotte pulled off some clever maneuvering that sent Stephen Jackson and Shaun Livingston to the Milwaukee Bucks, and brought Corey Maggette to the team with rights to the seventh pick in the draft.  They ended up with big man Bismack Biyombo at No. 7 and picked guard Kemba Walker with their ninth pick.

“I think those three guys will help us out a lot,” said White.  “In Corey, you have a veteran who’s been around for awhile.  (He’ll) pick up the scoring we lost from Jack.  Kemba is another quick guard who can do everything, and Bismack will help in the middle with his shot-blocking ability.”

Charlotte’s new general manager, Rich Cho (ex-Thunder assistant general manager), believes they are following a similar path as the Oklahoma City franchise when they shipped out stars Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis and began improving through the draft.  White agrees.

“We both at the time had young talent and traded or let go the top two players. We both had first round draft picks and cap space.”

“I like the direction we are going in,” he added.  “We have young talent and guys who have been in the league for a while.  I think we can be good.  We almost made the playoffs last year so I hope we can make it this year.”

White has a plan to stay the course and not let all the lockout talk distract him from his goal.

“Just continue to work every day.  I will just try to take advantage of the time if we miss games to continue to get better,” he said.

His talent and great attitude toward working hard, plus an opportunity with the Bobcats just may take him far in this league.