The Charlotte Bobcats have surprised everyone with a solid start to the 2012-13 NBA season, sitting at 7-7 and for the moment holding the eight and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Whether or not that spot holds 68 games from now is anyone’s guess, but trade talk is going to swing around eventually.

After all, the Bobcats have some pieces we all know they’d like to move, while other commodities like versatile point guards (Ramon Sessions) and bench shooters (Ben Gordon) could be chased down by other playoff contenders. The Bobcats might want to hold onto their assets for their own playoff run, but being such a young team with budding talent, they will likely listen to any and all offers that involve high draft picks, more young talent, or that could help free up unwanted conctracts (Tyrus Thomas, anyone?).

With that said, let’s take a look at the most likely Bobcats trade rumors that could start swirling:

Tyrus Thomas – PF

Thomas is on the shelf for a couple of months with a leg issue, but once back, he could be the subject of some Bobcats trade rumors. He’s a heck of a talent, but he’s one that hasn’t really panned out quite as expected over the course of his career, and some might say he’s a bust. Regardless, he still offers highlight reel dunks and can make an impact as a rebounder and shot-blocker. The big problem, however, is his heavy contract, which pays him out more than $8 million in each of the next two seasons. The Bobcats will have a tough time finding a team willing to take his salary on, regardless of his talent and potential. Bank on Thomas sticking in Charlotte for at least one more year unless a crazy deal comes Charlotte’s way.

First I’ll admit, I was wrong. I knew we would be better than last season, of course, but in no way did I think we would come out of the gate like Seabiscuit aiming for the triple crown. I’m surprised, but in a good way and that’s always a good thing.

I agree that anyone in their right mind that watches sports would ask, how can the worst team in their sport one season, be seen as a playoff contender the very next? If that person is you, I am here to answer that very question.

First remember, last season is over and today is a new day. With a new Coach, that seems to have his players full attention and cooperation, we are surely heading in a new direction. Yes, we just had a season we all want to forget, but that’s part of the business. We drafted well, we also traded and signed good free agents during the off season, and now we have some new quality pieces to add to our rebuilding puzzle. (We are still trading players after the season has started and I can’t remember the last time that has happened.) Is the puzzle complete yet? No it’s not, but I don’t think we have as many key pieces missing as some of you might. If I had to give a #, I’d say we are only about 2 pieces away from being a team that could possibly make the playoffs and get out of the first round. Here’s some key reasons why…

Everyone knows the Charlotte Bobcats haven’t been the most offensively gifted NBA team during their brief history. In fact, even when Gerald Wallace, Boris Diaw and Raymond Felton were around, this was a defensive-minded team that rarely lit it up on the offensive end.

However, if Charlotte plays their cards right and uses the right people, that could slowly change.

They already made a strong effort to get better on that end of the court. They brought in Ramon Sessions to rotate with Kemba Walker. Both guys can shoot and score the ball, and if Walker can’t distribute, we know Sessions can.

The future could also be bright with big man Byron Mullens, who has a nice jumper and mid-range game. Even star rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has some nice potential on the offensive end – although we may have to wait a while to see it really pay off.

But in the here and now, a good amount of the team’s offense is likely to come from the shooting guard position. Gerald Henderson was the starter last year and made a leap in his progression as a player. With a full off-season to further develop, there’s a decent chance he has a better all-around game, as well as a more reliable outside shot.

Bobcats like that word chance. That, or they cringe at the sound of it.

How about a guarantee?

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Making solid strides and entering his fourth NBA season, many fantasy owners will wonder if we should be expecting a huge leap in fantasy production for Gerald Henderson. The former Duke Blue Devil has a solid jumper, growing range, and a solid all-around game.

He’s still just 24 with lots of room for improvement, but it’s arguable that the “huge jump” fantasy owners are looking for might have already happened. Considering he plays for an offensively challenged Bobcats team and he’s not the full-fledged go-to scorer on his team, his 2011 numbers are quite impressive.

Henderson will look to improve on his 15.1 points per game, along with 2.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds and nearly a steal per game. Henderson hit these numbers last year despite not having a full regular off-season, nor a normal regular season.

The main thing working in Henderson’s favor is the team already trusts him. Now that he’s in a contract year, he will have every reason (potentially millions of them) to up his game and show the Bobcats that he’s a go-to guy that they not only can rely on consistently, but will want for years to come.

It may seem a little strange, but the basketball season is not that far away folks. Training camp is right around the corner (early October I believe). First up for our Bobcats in the preseason will be the Washington Wizards. We open the regular season at home against the Indiana Pacers on November 2.

That’s not a whole lot of time.

Now the NFL has been kind enough to play some games of their own leading up to the beginning of the season to keep us occupied (thanks guys!) so before you know it will be time for tip-off!

Personally, I can’t wait for that first game to start for a couple different reasons. First and foremost so we can officially put that dreadful 2011-12 season behind us for good. I guess technically it already is, but I think we will not really be able to put it out of sight and completely out of mind until the new Charlotte Bobcats step on the court for the first time.

We’ve got reason to be a little excited this year folks. It would be pretty difficult for the team to match last season’s record so we can only get better. Like you I’m not looking to except a slew of 10 point losses over the 20 point ones, but I don’t think we are going to be that bad this year.

I think we can surprise some folks.

Some of you may have read part 1 of mine and Christian “Bodin” Norway’s Q & A session earlier in the week. However, the response was great the only way we could answer all the question in the detail they deserve was to split the article in two, so here it is. Part 2.

1) Isguros: What’s your opinion about not re-signing Derrick Brown, was it to clear cap space in order to sign a big free agent or do the bobcats think Jeff Taylor will be a better player this season?

James Plowright:  One thing Cho has repeatedly emphasized is he wants is flexibility, this is why he was rescinded rather than going for a big FA signing. I think just having the roster spots open and saving 3 million on CAP space is the reason. Derrick Brown was never going to be the make or break of this franchise, I mean as much as like his pre game dancing and his highlight dunks he is a rotation player. I actually think he made quite a few strides last year, he started rebounding at a better rate and began to hit the midrange jumper. But, you can see the roster changes we have made this offseason, it has been close to a total overhaul and for that to happen you need flexibility. We had not drafted Jeff Taylor (28^th June) when we rescinded Derrick Brown’s QA (18^th June). So it is not like the front office picked Taylor over Brown. However, in answer to your questions, yes I think Jeff Taylor will be a better player this season and throughout his career. Taylor is a much better defensive player, can guard 1-4, is a better shooter and is still pretty athletic.

Christian “Norway” Bodin: I’m not sure I like it really. He is showed a lot of promise last year and could be a valuable rotation player this season, especially if injury strikes either MKG (which is likely with his slim body at this point) or Jeff Taylor. I personally think Jeff Taylor could come in and do as well a job, if not better than Derrick Brown, but Brown is bigger and better inside, where he could play some 4 when going small. I thought we would keep him to play the scrap minutes at the three. As far as clearing cap-space, he would still be in his rookie contract if he resigned. It was a qualifying option, and it doesn’t seem like a lot of teams are willing to pay a significant amount of money on him. It might have been that they were trying to negotiate for someone, but failed to get it through, and maybe they will invite him to training camp and give him a new contract, who knows. Either way, I think giving him a final year would benefit us so I didn’t really get it.