That’s the rumor out of Charlotte:
The Charlotte Bobcats unexpectedly waived reserve shooting guard Eddie House late Saturday, a move that one informed source said could soon make Los Angeles Lakers’ guard Kareem Rush a Bobcat.
The source said the Bobcats and Lakers are discussing a trade of Rush for one or more future second-round picks. A 6-foot-6 swingman, Rush has fallen out of favor with the Lakers this season, averaging 6.5 minutes and just under a point per game.
This move makes sense on a few levels. One, the Lakers didn’t pick up the option on Rush, he isn’t coming back, so getting something for him — even just a second round pick (few stick on NBA rosters anymore) — is better than nothing.
Second, Devean George will start practicing with the team on Monday (according to Joel Meyers), so soon they are going to have to clear a roster spot for him. Of course, that give the Lakers another forward, a position already more clogged than Luciano Pavarotti’s arteries.
Finally for the Lakers, Rush isn’t playing and when he is he’s not playing well. I think part of the reason for that is Rush is a guy who needs time on the floor, to get in the flow of the game, to get hot, and he hasn’t gotten enough time to properly figure out Rudy T.’s system, let alone get hot.
The Bobcats could use a good shooting guard, they are getting average offensive production from the position (a 15.2 PER, where 15 is the league average) and the team is shooting an eFG% of just 42% on jump shots (they do much better inside). The Bobcats have been getting burned at the two defensively. Rush is not a great defender, but he can fill up the basket.
Add to all of that, I like Rush and his game, and would love to see him get a shot where he will get time on the floor.
Update: Bobcat coach and GM Bernie Bickerstaff said in a radio interview this morning that, “we will know something by this afternoon.” Sounds like this is a done deal and Rush may be playing against the Clippers tonight.