Charlotte Added Two Players for Two Future Second-Round Picks
On July 14, 2004, the Charlotte Bobcats acquired forward-center Melvin Ely and guard Eddie House from the Los Angeles Clippers. The expansion franchise gave up its second-round picks in 2005 and 2006, ultimately associated with No. 32 Daniel Ewing and No. 34 Paul Davis. Unlike Charlotte’s special expansion-draft arrangements with Phoenix and Milwaukee, this was a conventional summer trade to put two signed NBA players on a new roster. Charlotte’s official media guide confirms Ely’s acquisition date and the two draft picks, and the Clippers transaction ledger identifies both future selections. The Bobcats wanted experienced center minutes and guard shooting without waiting for draft development.
Ely Started Seventeen Games and Scored for Charlotte
Ely played 79 games in the Bobcats inaugural 2004-05 season, starting 17 and averaging 7.3 points. He remained with Charlotte for two more seasons and scored 9.8 points in 57 appearances during 2005-06, when he started 22. Those are substantial team-specific contributions from a player obtained for two future second-round picks. House offered additional perimeter offense, but Ely is the stronger on-court return from the original agreement. Charlotte’s C+ grade recognizes multi-season frontcourt utility, even though the franchise did not acquire an elite center or future All-Star. Ely left for San Antonio in a separate 2007 deal, so his later production belongs to a different transaction chain.
Los Angeles Gained More Draft Control Instead of Immediate Minutes
The Clippers eventually held the two second-round selections from Charlotte and could use them to add younger prospects or make subsequent exchanges. They did not acquire a player who joined their 2004-05 team as part of the July 14 swap. The choices became associated with Daniel Ewing in 2005 and Paul Davis in 2006. The inherited C+ grade for Los Angeles, equal to Charlotte’s, credits the value of those two late selections, but should not automatically attribute the full future NBA careers of the selected players to the Clippers without tracing draft-right transfers. Charlotte got immediate playing minutes from Ely, while Los Angeles chose speculative but tradable assets that would mature over two summers.
Final Verdict
Clippers Win in the inherited label, although both clubs grade C+. Los Angeles acquired the 2005 No. 32 pick used on Daniel Ewing and the 2006 No. 34 used on Paul Davis. Charlotte received Melvin Ely and Eddie House; Ely supplied 79 games in 2004-05 and 57 more in 2005-06.