Kings not interested in Wallace(?)

[k1037]

Lots of interest in Bobcats' Wallace
Tuesday, Jul 3, 2007 2:06 pm EDT

An NBA source Sunday said Charlotte Bobcats swingman Gerald Wallace's agent was contacted by representatives from the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, and Portland Trailblazers in addition to Charlotte.

The source said Wallace was "nowhere near" making a commitment to any team at this point.

Source: Gaston Gazette

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Bobcats face competition to keep Wallace
By MIKE CRANSTON, AP Sports Writer
July 1, 2007

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Charlotte Bobcats face heavy competition in their effort to re-sign leading scorer Gerald Wallace.

The Bobcats were one of eight teams that contacted Wallace when the NBA's free agency period began at midnight Saturday. Dallas, Orlando, Milwaukee, Detroit, Miami, Portland and Golden State all made inquiries, a person close to Wallace said Sunday.

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject, said Wallace hasn't agreed to a deal with any team.
Bobcats part-owner Michael Jordan said last week that re-signing Wallace was one of the team's top offseason priorities. Bobcats vice president of basketball operations Bernie Bickerstaff did not immediately return a phone call Sunday.

Wallace averaged 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds a game last season, when he made just over $5.5 million. He opted out of the final year of his contract, which would have paid him about $6 million, to become an unrestricted free agent. Wallace could command more than $10 million a season in a deal that could run as long as six years.

The Bobcats took on the first big contract in their three-year history last week when they acquired swingman Jason Richardson from Dallas in a draft-night trade. Richardson, who the Bobcats hope will be the go-to scorer they've been missing, is due about $51 million over the next four seasons.

The Bobcats believe a nucleus of Richardson, Wallace, power forward Emeka Okafor and point guard Raymond Felton would get them to the playoffs next season.

The Bobcats, whose $41 million payroll was well under the salary cap last season, still have the money to pay Wallace. Orlando and Milwaukee are also under the cap. Several other teams would have to do a sign-and-trade deal with Charlotte.

Wallace said near the end of last season that he wanted to re-sign with Charlotte after the Bobcats gave him a chance to play. Wallace, who left Alabama after one season, spent his first three years in the NBA at the end of Sacramento's bench.

But the Bobcats selected the 6-foot-7 slasher in the 2004 expansion draft, and he quickly blossomed.
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The Kings aren't on the list of teams who've supposedly contacted his agent. Doesn't mean we haven't necessarily, and I doubt we could land him - but at least show some interest and see if there isn't a chance in hell we could get something like this done.

 

[Bricklayer]

Naw man, who needs Wallace? We're after Mo Pete!

 

[k1037]

Naw man, who needs Wallace? We're after Mo Pete!

Well, maybe we could bury Wallace on the bench again behind 'veterans' - bring back the late-game "Wallace! Wallace! Wallace!" chants in the hopes of getting a nice dunk in the last 30 seconds.

As a note (I love beating dead horses), I think it goes without saying that Wallace has now surpassed Christie, Peja, and Peeler in terms of overall talent and nightly contributions.

 

[Gary]

I would love a guy like Wallace, but Garcia is a similar player as Wallace, and Garcia has a jump shot!

Give Garcia similar playing time to Wallace and you will see games from Garcia that fill the stat sheet like Wallace..

20 points, 8-12 boards, 4-7 assists, 1-4 blocks, 1-4 steals.

Garcia has potential to do all of the above on any given night. Same as Wallace.

My only problem with Wallace is that he gets injured because he is too damned reckless. The plus side for Garcia is that if his athleticism was affected in years to come at least he can fall back on his jumpshot. Can Wallace?

 

[Vlade4GM]

Anyone want to share with me how exactly we'll acquire Wallace?

 

[Heuge]

Anyone want to share with me how exactly we'll acquire Wallace?

or even why we would want him with a long term deal...

 

[fnordius]

Acquiring Wallace would mean a sign-and-trade. Quite possible to do, but I don't expect it to happen. Getting him back would imply that it was wrong to have let him go in the first place.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Acquiring Wallace would mean a sign-and-trade. Quite possible to do, but I don't expect it to happen. Getting him back would imply that it was wrong to have let him go in the first place.

yup and with a bidding war going on no telling what it would cost to get him. Face it folks this is like that ex that really knew how to... uh... KISS. Gone now and never comming back, but you can't help but smile and wish.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Acquiring Wallace would mean a sign-and-trade. Quite possible to do, but I don't expect it to happen. Getting him back would imply that it was wrong to have let him go in the first place.

Tell me what exactly are the cats wanting from us? They're just going to do us this favor out of the kindness of their hearts?

 

[NewMonkey]

I would love a guy like Wallace, but Garcia is a similar player as Wallace, and Garcia has a jump shot!

Give Garcia similar playing time to Wallace and you will see games from Garcia that fill the stat sheet like Wallace..

20 points, 8-12 boards, 4-7 assists, 1-4 blocks, 1-4 steals.

Garcia has potential to do all of the above on any given night. Same as Wallace.

My only problem with Wallace is that he gets injured because he is too damned reckless. The plus side for Garcia is that if his athleticism was affected in years to come at least he can fall back on his jumpshot. Can Wallace?

Garcia and Wallace both play hard, but that's where the similarities end. Garcia is a decent athlete, but he's not even close to Wallace. Wallace is only the third player ever to average two blocks and two steals per game. (The NBA started counting blocks in 1973). The other two players to do it are first ballot Hall of Famers: David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwan.

Garcia may become a good player, and Kings fans should be happy about that. But he isn't the absolutely incredible athlete that Wallace is.

 

[nbrans]

I would love a guy like Wallace, but Garcia is a similar player as Wallace, and Garcia has a jump shot!

Give Garcia similar playing time to Wallace and you will see games from Garcia that fill the stat sheet like Wallace..

20 points, 8-12 boards, 4-7 assists, 1-4 blocks, 1-4 steals.

Garcia has potential to do all of the above on any given night. Same as Wallace.

My only problem with Wallace is that he gets injured because he is too damned reckless. The plus side for Garcia is that if his athleticism was affected in years to come at least he can fall back on his jumpshot. Can Wallace?

Wallace is YOUNGER than Garcia. What makes you think Garcia is suddenly going to leapfrog him and put up an 18/7 season?

 

[Fresno King]

or even why we would want him with a long term deal...

Because he's only 24 years old, has tremendous upside, isn't Ron Artest, and is only going to get better?

 

[fnordius]

Tell me what exactly are the cats wanting from us? They're just going to do us this favor out of the kindness of their hearts?

It wouldn't have to be the Bobcats. Any team that wanted something from us could do it, so it could be part of a larger trade package or whatever. But like I said, I really can't see GP trying to get Wallace back under any forseeable circumstances.

 

[Bricklayer]

Comparing Cisco and Wallace...I kind of like Cisco and if we trade Artest would just assume he gets a shot at the SF job. That said...people just haven't been watching the league if they think there is a comparison. Wallace is a MAJOR force in the NBA right now. You compare him to Marion, not Francisco Garcia. If Gerald showed up in Sacto again Cisco would have to ask kind permission just to be allowed to worship his spare jock strap.

And as for why we would want him? Are you kidding me? Here is why you want him:

Age 24/25 (25 on July 23)
36.7min 18.1pts (.502 FG% .325 3pt% .691 FT%) 7.2reb 2.6ast 2.0stl 1.0blk 2.2TO

Young All-Star caliber player in waiting. Roughly 6 months older than Kevin. 7 months younger than Cisco. And he's gotten better every single year.

 

[GoGoGadget]

I would love a guy like Wallace, but Garcia is a similar player as Wallace

Well, yes.

They both make a living by bouncing a round orange ball, for instance.

And they have goatee-esque facial hair.

And, um...

 

[SacTownKid]

Comparing Cisco and Wallace...I kind of like Cisco and if we trade Artest would just assume he gets a shot at the SF job. That said...people just haven't been watching the league if they think there is a comparison. Wallace is a MAJOR force in the NBA right now. You compare him to Marion, not Francisco Garcia. If Gerald showed up in Sacto again Cisco would have to ask kind permission just to be allowed to worship his spare jock strap.

And as for why we would want him? Are you kidding me? Here is why you want him:

Age 24/25 (25 on July 23)
36.7min 18.1pts (.502 FG% .325 3pt% .691 FT%) 7.2reb 2.6ast 2.0stl 1.0blk 2.2TO

Young All-Star caliber player in waiting. Roughly 6 months older than Kevin. 7 months younger than Cisco. And he's gotten better every single year.

Contract years are a helluva drug!

 

[Bricklayer]

Contract years are a helluva drug!

That's always the throwaway excuse, but again people just have not been watching. Every year he has been taking strides, not just last year. Every year.

 

[uolj]

Contract years are a helluva drug!

Didn't he put up similar numbers in 2005-06 too?

 

[Gary]

Garcia and Wallace both play hard, but that's where the similarities end. Garcia is a decent athlete, but he's not even close to Wallace. Wallace is only the third player ever to average two blocks and two steals per game. (The NBA started counting blocks in 1973). The other two players to do it are first ballot Hall of Famers: David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwan.

Garcia may become a good player, and Kings fans should be happy about that. But he isn't the absolutely incredible athlete that Wallace is.

The point I was trying to make is that either one can fill the stat sheets on a given night with points/assists/blocks/rebounds/steals. Garcia is athletic, but not jaw dropping like Wallace, but lets say for the sake of argument Garcia turns out to have 90% of the game Wallace has when they are both in their prime. Than one day Wallace hurts his back.. What now for Wallace? Garcia just leapfrogged over him because Garcia has the ability to create better than Wallace (for other players) plus Garcia has a jumpshot.. Wallace does not..

So would I take Wallace over Garcia? Short term, yes, long term no. In 5 years Wallace will be a shell of himself as he is today. His blocks went down to 1 a game because of his back problems.

I know that Garcia hasn't done anything YET, but I think Garcia has a higher ceiling than Wallace so I would rather develop Garcia.

 

[Gary]

Well, yes.

They both make a living by bouncing a round orange ball, for instance.

And they have goatee-esque facial hair.

And, um...

Ugh read above.. They are both "stat filling" type players that have the ability to do the same things stat wise. I am not saying they are the same player, I am saying theyare similar players to the point that they have the "ability" to fill the stat sheets i.e. score/assists/rebounds/blocks/steals on any given night. I shouldn't have underlined similar players above because you all are reading too much into it. Sorry.

You will never see Martin get 5 blocks in a night, but you will see Garcia and Wallace. You will never see Bibby get 10+ rebounds back to back, but Garcia and Wallace can. You will never see Martin get 5+ steals 3 games in a row (well most likely never) but Garcia, and Wallace can hit a streak like that. That's what I meant by similar.

BTW, yes they do bounce an orange ball. Very good observation lol

 

[ovrush]

In spite of the fact that we really have 0 chance of nabbing Wallace, am I the only one who thinks Garcia has the skill set needed to play the 1 for this team? I kinda think he could be like Jalen Rose was when he played on those great Pacers teams... I think he has the versatility to pull it off, which would mean a Wallace/Cisco pairing could happen on the court even though there's no way GP brings Gerald back after his "only ever drafted one kid without scouting him and I'll never ever do that again" quote

 

[fnordius]

In spite of the fact that we really have 0 chance of nabbing Wallace, am I the only one who thinks Garcia has the skill set needed to play the 1 for this team?

You might be the only one, I couldn't rule that out.

I like Garcia for being the ultimate, middle-of-the-road basketball player. He's a medium sized, semi-athletic guy who is neither fantastic or terrible at anything. But when he's fast enough to play PG, he's out of control, and he has shown no signs of being a brilliant floor general. I think he'd be about like Corliss as a center.

As much as I like Garcia, I think he's a 2/3, and I don't think he's a future all-star. He's a balanced roleplayer, and there's a lot to be said for that.

 

[k1037]

The point I was trying to make is that either one can fill the stat sheets on a given night with points/assists/blocks/rebounds/steals. Garcia is athletic, but not jaw dropping like Wallace, but lets say for the sake of argument Garcia turns out to have 90% of the game Wallace has when they are both in their prime. Than one day Wallace hurts his back.. What now for Wallace? Garcia just leapfrogged over him because Garcia has the ability to create better than Wallace (for other players) plus Garcia has a jumpshot.. Wallace does not..

So would I take Wallace over Garcia? Short term, yes, long term no. In 5 years Wallace will be a shell of himself as he is today. His blocks went down to 1 a game because of his back problems.

I know that Garcia hasn't done anything YET, but I think Garcia has a higher ceiling than Wallace so I would rather develop Garcia.

.........

Wow, I'm not sure what you've seen that makes you think Garcia is a potential superstar like Wallace is (or will surpass him) - but I just don't see it.

Wallace can create better than Garcia ever could - he's crazy fast at his position and can drive past anyone. Did you see his game at Arco this last season? He had what, 6 assists in the first quarter? Would've had a double-double in the first quarter if his teammates wouldn't have missed so many layups.

Wallace played at like 4 different positions at times this season due to player injuries and the like. Overall, though, his lower blocking numbers were due to him playing next to a much healthier Emeka Okafor this season.

And Wallace's 3-pt % was only 3% lower than Garcia's, while his overall FG % is 8% higher. And let's not forget that Wallace is generally guarding the other team's BEST player, being the overall MVP of the team, being guarded by the other team's BEST defender, and still putting up those numbers. Garcia has played against random bench role players for the most part so far.

There is no comparison. It's like saying Martin is the next Larry Bird just because he can score some points.

 

[kyo2002]

Shouldn't have let Wallace go to begin with but with Artest, Salmons, Williamson, and Garcia I don't see a real need to get Wallace. Wallace would add some needed defense and rebounding but he gambles even on fast break defense although his off the ball blocking skill is nice. Would rather try to address the PF or C position.

 

[6th]

Shouldn't have let Wallace go to begin with but with Artest, Salmons, Williamson, and Garcia I don't see a real need to get Wallace. Wallace would add some needed defense and rebounding but he gambles even on fast break defense although his off the ball blocking skill is nice. Would rather try to address the PF or C position.

I agree, kyo2002. Not only that, I think the reason the Kings are not interested is that they are not interested in getting into a bidding war and having to overpay him. Don't get me wrong. I love Gerald. I love his talent. I love his athleticism. And, I wish him will and hope he gets a good paycheck.

 

[NewMonkey]

The point I was trying to make is that either one can fill the stat sheets on a given night with points/assists/blocks/rebounds/steals. Garcia is athletic, but not jaw dropping like Wallace, but lets say for the sake of argument Garcia turns out to have 90% of the game Wallace has when they are both in their prime. Than one day Wallace hurts his back.. What now for Wallace? Garcia just leapfrogged over him because Garcia has the ability to create better than Wallace (for other players) plus Garcia has a jumpshot.. Wallace does not..

So would I take Wallace over Garcia? Short term, yes, long term no. In 5 years Wallace will be a shell of himself as he is today. His blocks went down to 1 a game because of his back problems.

I know that Garcia hasn't done anything YET, but I think Garcia has a higher ceiling than Wallace so I would rather develop Garcia.

According to Wallace, his blocks went down because he needed to tone it down a bit. He kept getting hurt diving all over the floor and he knew it wasn't good for his career long term. It didn't look to me like Wallace was laboring in the slightest last season.

 

[jcassio]

Garcia may become a good player, and Kings fans should be happy about that. But he isn't the absolutely incredible athlete that Wallace is.

I agree with you on the athleticism point. Because Garcia is so active, it's easy for people to think he's a great athlete. But really he just utilizes his decent athleticism very well. However, I don't think he has limited potential (as in 'he may become a good player')... I think he has more potential than that.

In no way would I give up Garcia (or bury him on the bench) for a long-term deal with Wallace. Wallace is a super-athlete and has developed into a really good player. Good for him! Now let some other team take on the long-term contract and count his injuries as they rack up.

 

[Kingster]

No, we're interested in young guys who are athletic.....

 

[Gary]

.........

Wow, I'm not sure what you've seen that makes you think Garcia is a potential superstar like Wallace is (or will surpass him) - but I just don't see it.

Wallace can create better than Garcia ever could - he's crazy fast at his position and can drive past anyone. Did you see his game at Arco this last season? He had what, 6 assists in the first quarter? Would've had a double-double in the first quarter if his teammates wouldn't have missed so many layups.

Wallace played at like 4 different positions at times this season due to player injuries and the like. Overall, though, his lower blocking numbers were due to him playing next to a much healthier Emeka Okafor this season.

And Wallace's 3-pt % was only 3% lower than Garcia's, while his overall FG % is 8% higher. And let's not forget that Wallace is generally guarding the other team's BEST player, being the overall MVP of the team, being guarded by the other team's BEST defender, and still putting up those numbers. Garcia has played against random bench role players for the most part so far.

There is no comparison. It's like saying Martin is the next Larry Bird just because he can score some points.

And when did I compare the two outside of filling the stat sheets? I agree with you, but I think you were thinking I was thinking something else

The reason I don't want Wallace is because he has no jumpshot to fall back on when his athletic ability can't sustain him anymore.. Garcia does. That's like saying Shaq's FG% is better than Martin there for he is a better shooter. Not true. While Wallace has gotten better he still has too much spin on his jumpshot. Reminds me a lot of TAW in the way their jumpshot looks.

 

[k1037]

And when did I compare the two outside of filling the stat sheets? I agree with you, but I think you were thinking I was thinking something else

The reason I don't want Wallace is because he has no jumpshot to fall back on when his athletic ability can't sustain him anymore.. Garcia does. That's like saying Shaq's FG% is better than Martin there for he is a better shooter. Not true. While Wallace has gotten better he still has too much spin on his jumpshot. Reminds me a lot of TAW in the way their jumpshot looks.

Yeah, it looks like I did misunderstand what you were saying.

Still, I think Wallace's age gives him plenty of time to develop a shot - he doesn't really have any other aspects of his game that need much work. Also, I'd say he's got a good 8-10 years before he won't be able to rely on his athleticism.

Anyway, we won't snag him.. I just found it odd we weren't even bothering to try.

I've been a bit of a Charlotte fan since he went over, though - and add in the way they play hard every night, a refreshing change - and a starting lineup that includes Okafor, Wallace, Richardson, and Felton... NICE! That'd be a decent starting lineup in the West, the East is likely to get trampled. Good scoring, extreme athleticism, very strong defense, young and quick overall. Will be an interesting team to watch next year.