Lakers Trade Kareem Rush to Bobcats, Sign Tony Bobbitt, By Eric Pincus for HOOPSWORLD.com, Dec 6, 2004, 17:07
The Los Angeles Lakers traded shooting guard Kareem Rush to the Charlotte Bobcats for a pair of future second-round draft picks. They also signed shooting guard Tony Bobbitt who was a standout in the summer league and the team's final roster cut before the regular season.
The Lakers are expected to receive the Atlanta Hawks second-pick in 2005, which was traded originally to the Bobcats in the Predrag Drobnjak trade. LA will also get the Cats' 2008 second-round pick.
One potential snag to the deal would be the new collective bargaining agreement which allegedly may begin phasing out the second round of the draft in it's entirety. Such a move is a long way off, but something to consider.
Kareem was a valuable role player last season on the Lakers, but fell out of favor with the new coaching staff. With a lingering foot injury, Kareem struggled towards the end of last season, over the summer and to start the 2004-5 campaign. In the first pre-season game, he was called upon to start but he had forgotten to wear his prescribed orthotic and was set back even further. He missed a handful of pre-season games and couldn't get back into Coach Rudy Tomjanovich's rotation.
The Lakers quickly replaced Rush with Bobbitt who they had reluctantly cut before the start of the season. Both he and back up point guard, Tierre Brown, are playing without guaranteed contracts. Just as they fought each other to make the squad, both will be watching the calendar. By January 10th, both of their contracts become guaranteed if they are still on the roster.
With the return of Karl Malone likely in early January, the Lakers would still need to clear a roster spot. Unless they were able to move out extra players like Luke Walton, Devean George and/or Slava Medvedenko, either Bobbitt or Brown would need to be released to make room. Bobbitt is not a point guard and the Lakers are very thin at the one, so Bobbitt's stay in Los Angeles is tenuous at best.
Bobbitt came off the bench effectively at the University of Cincinnati. He is comfortable in that role and hopes to be Kobe Bryant's back up for years to come. With defensive skills and a solid spot up jumper, Bobbitt has the potential to fit that role. It will take him some time to adapt to the quickness and size of the NBA. If he can stick for the long term, a year in the Laker weight-room would serve him well.
This move has been in the works for a number of weeks. Recently, Bobbitt had a meeting with GM Mitch Kupchak who let Tony know the Lakers were planning on moving Rush and would have a position for him shortly. After cutting Bobbitt, the Lakers lined up a spot for him on the Long Beach Jam, but Bobbitt chose to play instead for the NBDL. Ultimately, patience on both parties paid off as the Lakers were able to complete the trade with Charlotte.
Bobbitt is looking forward to the opportunity to improve his game by going up against Kobe Bryant every day in practice.
Rush is expected to compete for the starting role at shooting guard in Charlotte.