Phoenix Paid for a Specific Expansion-Draft Selection
During the June 22, 2004 expansion draft, Phoenix arranged for Charlotte to take center Jahidi White from its unprotected roster. In return the Suns surrendered a 2005 first-round draft choice that eventually became No. 13, used on North Carolina forward Sean May. Contemporary NBA-hosted reporting also described a $3 million cash payment as part of the contemplated arrangement, which appears in Charlotte’s historical asset register. The arrangement was not a standard midseason trade in which White simply moved to the Bobcats for an independently negotiated player swap. Phoenix’s objective was to remove a sizable final-year center salary while Charlotte, the new franchise, collected compensation for selecting a specified player.
The First-Rounder Became Sean May
Charlotte exercised the acquired 2005 first-round choice at No. 13 on May after he helped North Carolina win the NCAA title. He played 23 games as a rookie because of injuries but showed scoring and rebounding potential before later knee problems affected his availability. By the end of his Bobcats tenure he had appeared in 82 games during 2006-07 and continued working in a reserve frontcourt role. The selection therefore generated actual NBA minutes, unlike a nonconveyed conditional pick. Its payoff fell below the hoped-for reliable starting big man, and Charlotte’s C+ grade reflects both the value of acquiring a first at low direct draft cost and the modest return of the selected player.
The Suns Gained Salary Flexibility Rather Than a Scorer
White had played a reserve role in Phoenix, averaging 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 2003-04. His salary made him an attractive target for an expansion-draft salary-management deal. Phoenix accepted the price of a future first-rounder to clear a salary obligation and reshape its free-agent possibilities. The Suns’ C grade is best tied to that immediate financial flexibility, not a player or draft pick received directly from Charlotte. Charlotte’s compensation was valuable, although the franchise used the pick on an injury-affected prospect; the Suns did not gain another basketball asset from this deal. The eventual value of Phoenix’s other free-agent signings should not be mechanically credited to this specific expansion selection.
Final Verdict
Slight Charlotte Edge. The Bobcats earn C+ for receiving a 2005 first-rounder used on No. 13 Sean May and reported cash considerations in exchange for selecting Jahidi White. Phoenix gets C for clearing White’s salary. May had injury limitations, but the first-round asset gave Charlotte identifiable value.