Golden State Purchased Jeremy Tyler's NBA Draft Rights
On June 23, 2011, Charlotte selected young center Jeremy Tyler at No. 39 in the NBA draft and immediately sent his rights to Golden State for cash considerations. The Warriors' own summer league guide documents the selection and the purchase, allowing the transaction to be distinguished from Golden State's other 2011 draft moves. Tyler had taken an unusual development route through professional teams overseas before he was old enough to enter the NBA, giving him upside but little conventional American college history. Charlotte preferred financial compensation over developing another second-round prospect. Golden State sought a younger center who might grow into regular minutes. The agreement contained no separate draft pick coming back to Charlotte or another veteran contract changing hands.
Tyler Started Twenty-Three of Forty-Two Rookie Games
Tyler appeared in 42 Warriors games during 2011-12 and started 23. Golden State's contemporary summer league guide records 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game, with 7.1 points and 5.1 rebounds during his starts. That was measurable on-court utility for a second-round rights purchase, not a prospect who never reported or played. Nevertheless, the young center had difficulties establishing consistency at the professional level and did not remain a major Warriors starter over many seasons. His later stops with other NBA franchises should not be credited as Golden State production from the original purchase. The inherited Warriors C grade reflects a brief period of developmental playing time rather than an elite center acquired at little cost.
The Bobcats Received Cash Rather Than a Developing Center
The Bobcats collected the sale proceeds and did not take on a contract to develop Tyler. The available official transaction record does not identify a cash amount, so there is no basis for assigning a fabricated figure. Charlotte had other draft choices and young players competing for rotation positions and chose immediate financial flexibility. Its inherited C grade equals Golden State's C, the basis for the Even Trade label. The teams accepted different risks: Golden State held a rookie who had once been highly regarded, while Charlotte avoided another uncertain long development project. Tyler's forty-two appearances offer clear evidence that Golden State received some value, yet the modest averages explain why this was not a decisive long-term championship transaction. The cash-only return should be evaluated as cash and never treated as a nonexistent Hornets draft selection.
Final Verdict
Even Trade with C grades for both teams. Golden State obtained 2011 No. 39 Jeremy Tyler and received 42 games with 23 starts, averaging 4.9 points. Charlotte received cash without another player or future selection. The Warriors got a short developmental center tenure while the Bobcats took a financial return.