Hornets Should Trade For Cristiano Felicio
The Charlotte Hornets are reportedly about to lose star free agent Kemba Walker. Charlotte according to reports has offered 5yrs/160 million to Kemba, which is 60 million less than his max. Michael Jordan has talked before how he doesn’t believe in paying the tax if the team is not competing for a championship. Paying Walker his full max would push Charlotte over the tax line, and they probably wouldn’t be a competitive playoff team. But I have a way they can pay Kemba close to his max, and stay under the tax line. And they can do this by trading for Cristiano Felicio.
Yes I did say Cristiano Felicio, Charlotte should give Kemba what he wants and then trade for Cristano Felicio. Why? Well, let’s get into it.
If Charlotte was to pay Kemba the most they could, they would offer him 5yrs/223million. Reports have said Kemba is willing to take a discount to stay, but safe to say he isn’t willing to leave 60 million on the table. Well how about 5yrs/200 million. If Charlotte offers him that, that would only be a loss of 23 million. While I can’t speak for Kemba, I think that would be something that interest him. He still gets paid 200 million, and is helping Charlotte out. If Kemba signed that, Charlotte’s guarantee salary would reach 132,270,949 with 4 roster spots to fill to reach 14. Charlotte would likely keep Willy Hernangomez and Dwyane Bacon on the roster as well, both player’s contract are non-guaranteed but only at 1.6 million each. Keeping both on the roster would bring Charlotte’s total to 135,566,204 with two roster spots to fill. Assuming they fill those last two spots with the rookie minimum, we are at 137,360,520. That is 5.3 million over the tax, clearly not what MJ wants. But don’t worry, MJ. This is why you are trading for Cristiano Felicio.
Why does trading for Felicio help Charlotte get out the tax? Charlotte is paying center Bismack Biyombo 17,000,000 next season, but Felicio only makes 8.1 million. That is about a 9 million difference. If Charlotte traded Biyombo for Felicio, they would duck under the tax by 3.4 million. They could pay Walker 200 million, and stay under the tax this season. Seems like a great trade if you are Charlotte. What does Charlotte have to entice Chicago to do such a trade?
Charlotte has control over all their future 1st round picks. To me the most appealing one would be their 2020 first round pick. Charlotte won’t be a bad team with Kemba, but next season Charlotte could easily miss the playoffs again. They won’t have much money to improve after signing Kemba. The highlight of the off-season will be them locking in Kemba for 5 seasons, which would be looked at as a successful off-season. The reality they wouldn’t be great next season is clear, which is what makes that pick the most valuable to me. The Bulls would ask for the pick back, in helping Charlotte keep Kemba and staying out of the tax. Here is what the offer should look like:
Chicago trades: Cristiano Felicio
Charlotte trades: Bismack Biyombo, 2020 1st round pick.
Trade would have to happen on July 6th, and the Bulls would be absorbing most of Biyombo into cap space. Pretty crazy to think the Bulls could trade Felicio and get a 1st round pick, but this is a perfect scenario in where it could happen. Charlotte has to realize they can get out of the tax, they shouldn’t be cheap with Kemba because they fear they will pay the tax. You have assets to move bad money. You have teams with cap space to take on bad money. If you want to keep your star, this isn’t a bad price to pay if you ask me.
The downfall to this trade for the Bulls is losing cap space. This trade would take away about about 9 million in cap space for Chicago, dropping to about 14 million in cap space. But can always move contracts around to open more if they wanted. But even so, you are moving Felicio and getting a potential lottery pick out of this trade. And in case you missed the last NBA lottery, potential lottery picks can turn into gold. Ask New Orleans about that. Even if the Bulls value space, this is a good trade for a rebuilding team and still leaves you with money to improve. And while Biyombo isn’t anything special, he can be your stop gap backup center. Biyombo is also an expiring contract, so there is no long term commitment here from Chicago.
Assuming Charlotte wants to keep Kemba, this trade would make a lot of sense for them. You held on to Kemba past the deadline, so you think they would make a more aggressive effort in keeping him. Charlotte can pay Kemba, stay under the tax, and only give up a 1st round pick. Chicago can trade Felicio for an expiring contract and get a 1st round pick. Makes sense for both sides. Charlotte, you should at least consider this as an option. I hope Chicago would be interested.
