The first deal, all be it very small, of the trade deadline season?


Barring a last-minute snag with the league office, the Charlotte Bobcats' Melvin Ely is headed to the San Antonio Spurs, in return for Eric Williams, a 2009 second-round pick and cash compensation.
The Bobcats and Spurs were in a conference call with league officials Tuesday afternoon to finalize the deal. Ely, a 6-9 power forward, requested a trade earlier this season in search of playing time. He's playing on a one-season, $3.3 million contract.
Williams, 6-foot-8, can play either forward spot and is known primarily for his defense. However, he's played little for the Spurs, and his reputation declined in Toronto, where he moped after being traded from the New Jersey Nets.
Williams is making about $4.3 million this season on a contract that expires in July. The Spurs probably will pay the Bobcats the difference in the two contracts. Since the Bobcats are well under the salary cap, they can absorb the additional salary.
The Bobcats extended Ely the one-year qualifying offer with an eye to dealing him. They are loaded with big men, and he was playing behind Emeka Okafor, Sean May, Primoz Brezec and Jake Voskuhl most of this season.
Ely has a gift for low-post scoring, but often fell short of coach Bernie Bickerstaff's expectations as a rebounder and defender.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/basketball/nba/charlotte_bobcats/16689620.htm

Maybe this can kickstart some trading. I want to see some action.

If Ely won't play defense, how much will Pop play him?

I know that Elson is banged up and they don't like Jackie Butler's lack of effort so far, but they are loaded with bigs now too. Oberto is there too.

Cap move. Ely makes $1 million less than Williams and the Spurs are a million bucks over the luxury tax threshold. Both are ending contracts. So the Cats get a pick for saving the Spurs a cool $2 million.

But its a Spurs 2nd round pick. What's that worth? I guess a mil.

Anybody have any insight into what will eventually happen to Luis Scola's rights?

I think Scola is fed up with the Spurs and wants a trade.


One of the agents for Luis Scola accused the Spurs on Thursday of making the Argentine forward a "prisoner" because they don't intend to sign him this summer and have yet to trade his rights.

LINK (http://fantasybasketball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NBA&id=902)

Done deal:


Spurs Make Trade
Last Update: Feb 13, 2007 2:35 PM

The San Antonio Spurs have confirmed to News 4 WOAI they have traded Eric Williams and a second round pick in the 2009 draft for Melvin Ely of the Charlotte Bobcats.

The move will give the Spurs about a $1 million worth of tax relief for this season, and a player they hope can contribute to a playoff run.

The 6-foot-10 Ely is in his fifth year in the NBA, out of Fresno State. He has averaged 6.3 points and 3.6 rebounds since coming into the league.

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=cd44dc00-2025-4261-8bf2-e80e8413fee7

Edit: thanks Greg

this represents a huge power shift in the western conference. ;)

Smart trade. Ely may actually get some minutes with competition like Oberto, Elson, and Butler. (Aren't you glad that Webber didn't sign with the Spurs?)