Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Free agents McDyess, Bass intrigue Bobcats

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July 4

Charlotte Observer

"Looking to address the Charlotte Bobcats' need for a backup power forward, general manager Rod Higgins has contacted agents for Antonio McDyess and Brandon Bass. McDyess, who played for the Detroit Pistons, and Bass, a Dallas Maverick, are both unrestricted free agents. Higgins said both discussions were preliminary, but he made it clear either one could fill a hole on the depth chart. "You look at our roster, and he makes a lot of sense," Higgins said of 6-foot-8 Bass, who played a total of four NBA seasons with the Hornets and Mavericks. "But he's going to have options, too.'' It's unclear how the Pistons' and Mavericks' situations might affect McDyess and Bass. The Pistons reportedly ..."

Options Abound? Bobcats GM says nothing is set as draft looms

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June 24

Gaston Gazette

"Two days before Thursday's 2009 NBA Draft, Charlotte Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins did his best to leave all options open for his team. Higgins wants to add another piece or pieces that will push coach Larry Brown's team closer to its goal of making the playoffs. Higgins also said he feels an obligation to keep the payroll of owners Bob Johnson and Michael Jordan below the luxury tax threshold. Also, Higgins said the team will tender a qualifying offer (of $5.5 million) to upcoming free agent Raymond Felton while it will not tender a qualifying offer (it would be $3.6 million) to free agent Sean May. Given that each of the teams' last two drafts have produced surprises, it would be ..."

Bilas: Take Williams over Henderson

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June 23

Charlotte Observer

"I respect that Jay Bilas isn't one of those "Be true to your school'' zealots. So I wasn't surprised Monday when he said he'd pick Louisville's Terrence Williams over Duke's Gerald Henderson. Bilas, an ESPN analyst who lives in Charlotte, once played for Duke. The Bobcats could be choosing between Henderson and Williams when they make the 12th pick Thursday night. Bilas said the call would be close, but that Williams has the more rounded game."

Dalembert to Bobcats?

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June 23

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The latest rumors have the Sixers in talks with the Charlotte Bobcats, sending C Samuel Dalembert and the 17th overall pick in the Thursday's draft for F Vladimir Radmanovic, C Nazr Mohammad, and the 12th pick in the draft. Though I'd love to see Sammy go, this trade wouldn't help cap-wise, since both Radmanovic and Mohammad have another two years remaining on their deals. In actuality, the team would take on approximately $2 million more. In addition, the jump to 12 in the draft really doesn't seem to offer that much value, unless the team is really high on Ty Lawson and don't want to risk that they'll be able to nab him at 17."

Henderson or Williams - who's the pick?

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June 22

Charlotte Observer

"So which one do you want? The pure shooting guard with the untapped potential or the multi-position player who's also a ballhandler and passer? That's how Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown contrasts Duke's Gerald Henderson and Louisville's Terrence Williams. Those two were back in Charlotte Monday for a second workout before Thursday's draft. Each is well-suited to be the Bobcats' backup shooting guard. Each has potential to be a superior defender at the NBA level. Each is good enough to justify using the Bobcats' 12th pick. But they are different, as Brown described. "Gerald, in my mind, is a (pure) two…and I think he has more room'' to grow, Brown said. "He's not as far along in terms ..."

Henderson, Williams back for 2nd workout

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June 22

Charlotte Observer

"The Charlotte Bobcats have convincecd shooting guards Gerald Henderson and Terrence Williams to come in today for a combined second workout, one more strong indication how serious the Bobcats are about selecting one of them with the 12th pick."

Hansbrough in Charlotte Wednesday

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June 10

Charlotte Observer

"North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough told me at the Chicago NBA combine he didn't intend to work out for more than about eight teams. The Bobcats -- with the 12th overall pick -- are on his list. Hansbrough is among six players auditioning for the Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena Wednesday. Others scheduled: N.C. State's Ben McCauley, Southern Cal's Taj Gibson, James Madison's Juwann James, St. Joseph's Ahmad Nivins, and Memphis' Shawn Taggart. Of those players Hansbrough would have the highest draft projection, although using the 12th pick on him might be a reach. He's generally ranked in the 18-25 span. Still, drafting a power foward with Hansbrough's motor and ability to get to the foul ..."

NBA Commissioner David Stern addresses sale of Bobcats, economy

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June 7

Orlando Sentinel

"When NBA Commissioner David Stern gives his annual state of the league address before the start of the NBA Finals, it usually draws a packed room of eager ears. It did again prior to Game 1, and two of the Orlando Magic's top executive guns — President Bob Vander Weide and Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins — were both on hand to hear about where the league is headed during continuing tough financial times. Stern all but confirmed Thursday that another of the league's small-market franchises, the Charlotte Bobcats, would likely be up for sale soon. News has leaked in recent weeks that Bobcats majority owner Bob Johnson, who founded the team in 2004, was losing over $10 million annually ..."

Could former Pistons Iverson, Brown reunite?

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June 6

Detroit News

"Former Piston Allen Iverson needs a team, and ex-Pistons coach Larry Brown needs a scorer. Just think, they could reunite. Seven years after his famous rant in Philadelphia during a feud with Brown over missing practice, Iverson is set to become unrestricted free agent. Brown is coaching the low-scoring Bobcats, and Iverson was recently spotted in Charlotte. It's fueled speculation Iverson, who had a difficult season in Detroit, could be paired with Brown again. Iverson's agent, Leon Rose , said his client would be willing to play for Brown again. "I love Allen," Brown said."

Bobcats must address depth

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May 3

Charlotte Observer

"This started with a call Monday from an NBA scout. For lack of a better description, this guy does quality-control for an Eastern Conference team. I ask him a lot about various players and so once a year he calls to ask for my review of the Charlotte Bobcats and, particularly, their free agents. The guy figures if I see these guys 70 or more games a season, I should have some sense of what they are, who they are and what they're worth. That got me thinking about the Bobcats' depth chart, their payroll and how they might proceed during an offseason that should lead to a first playoff spot. What started out as some scribbling on a legal pad led to - I hope - giving you a better picture of ..."

Felton wants to be back

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April 19

Gaston Gazette

"Ever since Raymond Felton became the Charlotte Bobcats' "point guard of the future" when he was the team's fifth overall selection in the 2005 NBA Draft, he's been very emphatic about his goal of taking the team to the playoffs. Well, if Felton is to realize that goal with this franchise, he'll need to strike a contract deal with the franchise sometime this summer. Many players would greet such offseason uncertainty with anxiety. Not Felton. He's confident he'll be re-signed by the organization and be able to reach his own high goals for the soon-to-be six-year-old franchise. "I want to be here," said Felton, who will become a restricted free agent July 1. "They know that. We'll see what ..."

Bobcats may hold onto Felton

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March 13

Charlotte Observer

"The current Charlotte Bobcats management is 0-for-2, trying to snatch restricted free agents off other rosters via offer sheets. Sounds bad, but it might be good if that's any precedent. Because this summer the Bobcats could morph from predator to prey. Raymond Felton is available in July, and starting point guards are hard to find. First, a history lesson: The Bobcats tried to upgrade at power forward each of the past two seasons through offer sheets. They promised to pay Anderson Varejao $17.3 million over three seasons in December of 2007. They promised Carl Landry $9 million over three seasons in the summer of 2008. Nice gestures, but all the Bobcats did was lubricate the process for ..."

Luther Heading elsewhere

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March 3

Newark Star-Ledger

"Agent Mark Bartelstein just made it unofficially official: The Nets are out of the running for his client, Luther Head. And before you jump to conclusions, you should know this: It was only their inability to guarantee playing time that was the dealbreaker. And no, they didn't go cheap on you with a playoff berth at stake: "If we wanted to come, they were willing to pay," Bartelstein believes. But here's your basic bottom line: "They have a three-guard rotation right now that they're set with, and we want Luther to control his own destiny," the agent said of his free-agent client, who was waived by Houston Saturday. "So it's not going to be the Nets -- it's just not the right fit. It's ..."

Cavs free to spend if they choose

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February 18

Yahoo! Sports

"As NBA front-office trade discussions centered on teams desperately trying to shed payroll Tuesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the few franchises willing to bring on bigger talent and more salary, league executives said. After thus far failing to make a deal for Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire, the Cavaliers are trying to pry forward Antawn Jamison from the Washington Wizards, league sources said. The Cavaliers are offering Wally Szczerbiak and his $13 million expiring contract, sources said. The Wizards would have to add another player into the trade – possibly center Etan Thomas – to make the deal possible. So far, Washington wants no part of such a deal. Wizards executives aren’t ..."

Trade doesn't look likely before Thursday deadline

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February 18

Charlotte Observer

"Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown says the bar is high for making another trade before Thursday's deadline, and he doesn't anticipate one happening. "Michael (Jordan) said if we can get talent back, and maybe move some pieces that aren't playing a lot here, we would consider that," Brown said. "But I really don't anticipate that happening and I think we're all pretty happy with what we have to work with right now.""

Bobcats pondering what's next for Felton

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February 15

Charlotte Observer

"The obvious solution to the Raymond Felton situation is… Anyone completing that sentence with conviction is fooling himself. The thing that makes this so interesting is it's such a quandary. Each potential solution comes with a liability. Felton becomes a restricted free agent in July. As so often happens in contract years, Felton is performing the best he has as a pro. Against the Washington Wizards, in the Charlotte Bobcats' last game before the All-Star break, he nearly assembled a triple-double (15 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, plus five steals). How can they afford to lose all that, plus the leadership Felton provides? Or maybe they can. The Bobcats used a lottery pick on ..."

Jordan: Bobcats want to keep Felton, but ...

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February 11

Charlotte Observer

"On Tuesday, Charlotte Bobcats managing partner Michael Jordan held a conference call with Observer NBA writer Rick Bonnell and other media who regularly cover the team. It was clear in that interview that while Jordan values point guard Raymond Felton, it's no lock Felton will remain with the Bobcats beyond the Feb.19 trade deadline, because of his impending free agency. Jordan's responses (edited for clarity and brevity): Q: There's been so much talk about Raymond Felton this season. Where do things stand with him as far as dealing with the fact he's going to be a restricted free agent? No decision has been made. A lot of (teams) have called about Raymond. Our intention is to try to ..."

Sources: Bobcats, Pacers talk trade

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February 10

ESPN.com

"The Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Bobcats have engaged in serious discussions on a multiplayer trade centered around point guards Jamaal Tinsley and Raymond Felton, multiple sources told ESPN.com Tuesday. The discussions between the teams have been ongoing for weeks, though the parameters and pieces have continually changed. If the deal comes to fruition, the sources said, it would likely include Tinsley, Jeff Foster and a third player (Brandon Rush, Stephen Graham, Marquis Daniels) going to the Bobcats for Felton, Nazr Mohammed and Sean May. One source said there was only one team other than the Bobcats interested in Tinsley, who has been told to stay away from the Pacers since the start ..."

Extreme makeover? Bobcats not done

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February 8

Charlotte Observer

"This isn’t over. If you think the Bobcats are done, trying to make over their team, then you don’t understand Larry Brown’s compulsion or Michael Jordan’s zeal. I’m not saying they definitely make another deal in the 12 days remaining until the NBA trade deadline. They’ve already made three trades that make this roster so different, you wouldn’t recognize it if you were in Wilmington for training camp. I am saying they’re still looking, probing, checking. The roster is in flux right now because, if healthy, they’re already talented enough to make the Eastern Conference playoffs. Won’t happen for two reasons: They didn’t start the season with this group and now, because of injuries to ..."

Augustin targets Friday for return

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February 5

Charlotte Observer

"It says something that point guard Raymond Felton - a guy who never seems to tire of playing basketball - is ready to play a little less basketball. That was Felton's reaction to D.J. Augustin practicing Wednesday for the first time in nearly a month. "I've averaged 40-plus minutes for the last 15 or so games," Felton said. "I love being on the court, but sometimes fatigue sets in." Certainly that was true on a five-game trip, when Felton played 53 minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers and 44 against the Utah Jazz. Augustin said he felt no pain in the abdominal strain he suffered Jan. 10 against the Washington Wizards. If that's the case in today's practice as well, the plan is for him to ..."

Don't buy that house just yet

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January 18

Salt Lake Tribune

"One month before the NBA trade deadline, there has been plenty of talk but little action. That could change before Feb. 19. In a year when six head coaches were fired during the first two months of the regular season, some believe management will be just as impatient with unproductive and/or high-priced players, whose performance has done nothing for their team's won-loss record and whose salary limits future roster flexibility. Call it a sign of these economically-depressed times. Charlotte point guard Raymond Felton is a likely target of several suitors. Felton was the No. 5 pick in the 2005 draft, taken just behind Utah's Deron Williams and New Orleans' Chris Paul. While he is not ..."

Dallas Mavericks make trade for 3-point shooter

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January 17

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The Dallas Mavericks have added another shooting guard to their stable after trading backup center DeSagana Diop for Charlotte Bobcats guard Matt Carroll and young backup center Ryan Hollins on Friday. This comes after last week's failed three-way bid to land Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton for Diop, who, in the span of 11 months, was traded by the Mavs in February, signed as a free agent in July to a five-year, $32 million contract, and traded again Friday. Carroll, a 40.3 percent career 3-point shooter, has had trouble finding minutes under new Bobcats coach Larry Brown. He's averaging 4.1 points in 14.0 minutes a game, but has started 10 games this season. He's shooting 40.6 percent ..."

Addition of veterans invigorates Bobcats

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January 16

Charlotte Observer

"Whenever Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown gets a bit too high or a bit too low, he remembers his debut with this team. That was in Orlando, and 40-9 was the deficit to the Magic in their first preseason exhibition. That showed how young this team was and how confused it was by all that Brown threw at the players intellectually. Change had to happen; some of it from within and some of it by shaking up the roster. And while they're still not a playoff team, they're dramatically closer to that status of late. After 39 games - two short of the technical midpoint - the Bobcats have the same 15-24 record as last season. However, there has been a clear uptick since their Dec.10 trade. The ..."

Say no, Bobcats: Felton's too good to swap for Diop

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January 14

Charlotte Observer

"'page_heading' -->'content_top' -->'[/mi/pubsys/story/overline]' -->Comments (0) | Say no, Bobcats: Felton's too good to swap for DiopBy Scott Fowler sfowler@charlotteobserver.comPosted: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009Noting the sports world: I don't like the possible trade that would send the Charlotte Bobcats' Raymond Felton to Dallas for DeSagana Diop. Do you know what the 7-foot, 280-pound Diop is? A space-eater. A decent rebounder and shot-blocker. But overall, not much more than a stiff. Diop can't shoot at all (career average: 2.1 points per game). There's a reason he's been a career backup. I wouldn't be opposed if the Bobcats signed someone like Diop on the free-agent market - a ..."

Earl Watson, 3-team trade on hold

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January 13

The Oklahoman

"With Charlotte rookie point guard D.J. Augustin having aggravated an abdominal injury that could sideline him up to two weeks, a potential three-team trade between Charlotte, Dallas and Oklahoma City has been tabled. Veteran point guard Earl Watson, the Thunder player mentioned in the potential three-team deal, remains with the Thunder, which plays tonight at New Jersey. In a deal that was being discussed, Oklahoma City was going to receive a future second-round draft pick and veteran guard Jerry Stackhouse from Dallas, which needed to clear cap space to make the deal.In the trade proposal, Charlotte would deal point guard Raymond Felton and center Nazr Mohammed to Dallas. Charlotte would ..."

Felton ignores trade talk, focuses on ball

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January 13

Charlotte Observer

"Charlotte Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton isn't naïve. He understands he could end up traded and he understands why he could end up traded. Still, his reaction to all the chatter is an emphatic tune it out. "I told my agent, 'I don't want to deal with any of this stuff. I don't want to talk to anybody about it. You just keep me updated.'" Felton said of reports he could be dealt off the Charlotte Bobcats. "I concentrate on the basketball and don't think about the other stuff." That's Felton's nature, focusing on the work in a tunnel-vision manner. It's the same way he's tuning out the pain right now from a sprained ankle. "If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't," Felton ..."

Thunder in trade talks with Charlotte, Dallas

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January 12

The Oklahoman

"A report in Sunday's editions of the Boston Globe cited a league source who said the Thunder is involved in a three-team trade that would send Earl Watson to the Charlotte Bobcats. The report did not indicate which player or players Oklahoma City would get in the deal, which would also send Bobcats guard Raymond Felton to Dallas and Mavs center DeSagana Diop to Charlotte. General manager Sam Presti, citing team policy, declined to comment on the trade report when contacted Sunday afternoon."

Sources: Bobcats talking trade with Mavs

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January 12

Charlotte Observer

"The Charlotte Bobcats are in ongoing trade discussions with the Dallas Mavericks, and possibly the Oklahoma City Thunder, that could move Raymond Felton and Nazr Mohammed, two NBA sources confirmed to the Observer. Some elements of a potential deal were first reported Sunday in the Boston Globe. The Observer has learned that any deal likely would include moving backup center Mohammed, who is owed about $13.3 million over the next two seasons. If a deal is consummated, the Bobcats likely would end up with Dallas Mavericks center DeSagana Diop. They pursued Diop during free agency last summer before he re-signed with Dallas. The deal Diop signed with the Mavericks is large - four more ..."

Warriors want Bobcats' Felton

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December 18

Charlotte Observer

"Could Raymond Felton end up a Golden State Warrior, in a trade that might acquire Anthony Randolph or Brandan Wright? The Warriors and Bobcats have had discussions about Felton, an NBA source told the Observer, and the Warriors appear open to giving up either Randolph or Wright to make a deal work. Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins would neither confirm, nor deny, talks with the Warriors involving Felton. Higgins came to the Bobcats two years ago from a similar role with the Warriors. There's considerable incentive for both teams to consider such a trade: The Bobcats face the possibility of losing Felton without compensation after this season, when he becomes a restricted free agent. ..."

Bobcats close to signing Juwan Howard

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December 10

Charlotte Observer

"Veteran power forward Juwan Howard could be a Charlotte Bobcat in the next few days, the Observer has learned. Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins confirmed late Tuesday that he's closing in on signing Howard, a 16-year NBA veteran and a member of the Fab Five era of Michigan basketball. "We've had some discussions with Juwan's representative, David Falk, and we hope to get something done,'' Higgins told the Observer. While Howard is well removed from his All-Star days, when he averaged 22 points and eight rebounds, Higgins believes he can still play in more than spot duty. Obviously the Bobcats need help at power forward. Sean May has struggled with injuries and conditioning so far this ..."

Howard to Charlotte

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December 10

Rocky Mountain News

"Forward Juwan Howard is on the verge of signing with Charlotte, Nuggets center Nene told the Rocky after practice Tuesday. It's disappointing news for Nene, a teammate of Howard's during Nene's rookie season of 2002-03 and for a month earlier this season. "He was very important to this team, and now we've lost him," Nene said of Howard, who's expected to sign with the Bobcats soon. The Nuggets signed Howard early in training camp and he made the opening- night roster on a nonguaranteed contract. But he was waived Nov. 3, when the Nuggets needed to clear a roster spot when they dealt Allen Iverson for Billups, Cheikh Samb and Antonio McDyess. After McDyess' contract was bought out Nov. 10, ..."

Higgins denies Wallace trade rumor

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December 9

Charlotte Observer

"That trade rumor of recent vintage - Gerald Wallace to the Minnesota Timberwolves for two expiring contracts ( Jason Collins and Rashad McCants) is totally bogus, according to Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins. Beyond it making little sense - you'd dump a core player for nothing but salary-cap relief? - Higgins said it's never even been discussed. He said he's never had a conversation with the T'Wolves involving Wallace. Wallace missed Monday's game, following a death in his family over the weekend, and Brown doesn't anticipate Wallace rejoining the team until after it returns to Charlotte from New Orleans (Wednesday game) and Dallas (Thursday game.)"

Clippers Explore Roster Changes

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November 25

ESPN.com

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"The Clippers would like to move forward with a full complement of players. They'd also like to explore tinkering with their roster, which would feature an abundance of starting-caliber big men in Randolph, Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby. One source said the Clippers are talking to the Charlotte Bobcats about a package that would send Kaman to Charlotte for Jason Richardson. However, another Clippers source said, "Kaman's not out there.""

Bobcats to sign Dwayne Jones

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November 19

Charlotte Observer

"The Charlotte Bobcats plan to sign former Cleveland Cavaliers center Dwayne Jones to fill one of the roster spots they opened Wednesday, the Observer has learned. Jones could be in practice as soon as Thursday, after the Bobcats cut forward Andre Brown and Linton Johnson Wednesday. Neither had a guaranteed contract and neither was active for the Bobcats' last four games. While those moves would leave the Bobcats one short of the maximum 15 players under contract, general manager Rod Higgins and coach Larry Brown said nothing was imminent on the trade front. "We weren't playing these guys,'' Larry Brown said of the forwards waived Wednesday. "Sure, we're looking to see if there's anything ..."

Bobcats inquire about Clippers' Kaman

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November 12

L.A. Daily News

"Chris Kaman and the Internet really don't go together. Once a week or so, he checks his Yahoo! e-mail account and that's about it. He's not much for television, either. "I'm into other stuff, shooting my bow and arrow around in my backyard, flying helicopters around," Kaman said. "I just do stupid stuff you wouldn't think I'd be doing, but I'm the one doing it." But even with the self-imposed wall filtering out the media, Kaman was well-apprised of the report in Tuesday's New York Post mentioning him as a "centerpiece" to a deal the Clippers discussed recently with the Charlotte Bobcats. "Yeah, my buddy told me about that," Kaman said after practice on Tuesday. "One of my boys that lives ..."

Raptors Shopping For A Shooter

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November 10

Globe and Mail

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"Not surprising, the Raptors' perimeter starters have been outscored 143-84 over the past three games. And it follows that the Raptors have talked with both the Golden State Warriors and the Bobcats about trades, according to two league sources, with an eye toward correcting that kind of imbalance. The Warriors are looking to move Al Harrington, and the Bobcats are looking to trade Wallace. Each is a veteran small forward who would be an upgrade on the inconsistent Moon. Harrington has the more attractive contract - his deal will expire in 2010. The slashing, ball-hawking Wallace might have the more attractive game, though the five years and nearly $50-million (U.S.) he has left on his ..."

Wallace on the trading block?

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November 8

Charlotte Observer

"Forward Gerald Wallace didn't get rattled last summer as his name kept coming up in trade rumors. But now it's different - it's clear his name is in play, and he's trying best he can to concentrate on the job at hand. "Now it's the regular season; I'm trying to adjust because all this is is a lot of distraction,'' Wallace told the Observer before Friday's home game against the New Orleans Hornets. So does he think there's substance in the talk? "I don't know. But as long as I'm here I'm going to do whatever I can to help our team win. If it goes down, then it goes down. I'll just have to adjust. But right now my main thing is getting us on the right track.'' Has Wallace asked the front ..."

Bobcats to sign 6-8 Johnson

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October 28

Charlotte Observer

"The Charlotte Bobcats plan to use their open roster spot to sign Linton Johnson, a forward with a strong defensive presence, the Observer has learned. Johnson is expected to take a physical Tuesday and, assuming he passes, sign in time to participate in a morning practice. He'd replace Jermareo Davidson, who was waived Monday to reduce the roster one below the NBA maximum 15. Cutting Davidson will cost the Bobcats approximately $700,000 in guaranteed money. However, he was playing little under coach Larry Brown, who is looking for more defensive presence on a team full of jump-shooters. Johnson has played at the fringes of the NBA since the 2003-04 season, spending time with the Chicago ..."

Bobcats Extend Offer Sheet to Carl Landry

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September 24

NBA.com

"Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has extended an offer sheet to restricted free agent Carl Landry. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed. In accordance with the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Landry’s current team, the Houston Rockets, will have seven days to decide whether to match the offer. “Landry is an emerging NBA talent, as evidenced by his play over the final 42 regular-season games and into the Rockets first-round playoff appearance,” Higgins said. “His ability to play both the power forward and center position will complement our post play.” In his rookie season with Houston, Landry (6-9, 248 pounds) averaged 8.1 points and ..."

Bobcats GM not looking to deal Okafor

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July 26

Charlotte Observer

"Charlotte Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins says he's not pursuing a sign-and-trade deal to resolve Emeka Okafor's restricted free-agency. However, Higgins also sees a downside to Okafor signing a one-year qualifying offer. "Our comfort level probably wouldn't be so good. You'd have him for a year," before Okafor could leave without compensation next summer, Higgins said. Higgins was addressing a report in Tuesday's Observer that negotiations with Okafor reached an impasse. A source familiar with the negotiations said the Bobcats are offering less now than they did a summer ago and Okafor now prefers a sign-and-trade to another NBA franchise. "We're still holding out hope that we can get ..."

Bobcats, Okafor at an impasse

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July 22

Charlotte Observer

"As things stand now, Emeka Okafor will be an ex-Charlotte Bobcat by the end of next season, if not sooner. Negotiations between Okafor and the Bobcats are at an impasse, an informed source told the Observer, with the team offering less now than the $12million-plus annual salary it did a year ago. A restricted free agent, center-forward Okafor now wants a sign-and-trade to another team, the source said, and is not inclined to remain with the Bobcats long-term. Okafor's alternative would be signing a one-year qualifying offer with Charlotte, worth roughly $7million, then becoming an unrestricted free agent in July 2009."

Looking at the possible NBA Seattle might be able to lure

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July 13

Seattle Times

"As distasteful as it may seem for many local basketball fans, Seattle officials can learn a lot from Clay Bennett as they attempt to lure an NBA team. "If you're going to play this game and win, you must have commitments from three places: the private sector, the public sector and the NBA," said Marc Ganis, president of Sportscorp Ltd., a Chicago-based sports-industry consulting firm. "Oklahoma City had all three." Now that the dust has settled from the surprising July 2 settlement between the city of Seattle and Bennett, which allowed him to pay $45 million and immediately move the team, local officials face the cold realization that securing another franchise is no slam dunk. In ..."

Team intends to keep Okafor

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July 12

Charlotte Observer

"Charlotte Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins reinforced Friday that the team wants to retain Emeka Okafor. Higgins stopped short of adding, "at any price". "Our intentions are to keep Emeka," Higgins said, when asked about the Los Angeles Clippers' reported interest in Charlotte's restricted free-agent big man. The Clippers recently lost Elton Brand to the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving them with about $12million in salary-cap room and a hole at power forward. The Clippers hosted Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith recently."

Okafor playing waiting game

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July 11

Charlotte Observer

"The negotiations have been courteous. Okafor went out of his way last season to say he appreciated what the Bobcats offered, and that his preference is to stay with the team that drafted him four years ago. Still, there's no sense reaching free agency unless you're open to changing teams. The flavor of the moment is the Clippers, whose loss of Elton Brand leaves them short a power forward but holding abundant salary-cap room."

Clippers could pursue Okafor

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July 9

Charlotte Observer

"Elton Brand's reported decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers rather than remain a Los Angeles Clipper could be bad news for the Charlotte Bobcats regarding Emeka Okafor. The Clippers now have a bundle under the salary cap and an obvious need for a power forward to complement center Chris Kaman in Brand's absence. NBA insiders expect the Clippers to consider signing one of two restricted free agents - Okafor or Atlanta Hawk Josh Smith - with the abundant cap room they now possess."

Charlotte Looking To Move Up In Draft

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June 26

New York Post

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"Last night a league source said that Charlotte was closing in on a deal with Memphis that would give the Bobcats the fifth pick, with their eye on Westbrook or Kevin Love."

Should Bobcats trade for Varejao?

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June 24

Charlotte Observer

"The Cavaliers have to determine whether it's worth re-signing Varejao in the summer of 2009 at what figures to be a significantly higher price. A columnist from the Akron Beacon-Journal suggested Tuesday that it's time to look to trade Varejao. That's where this could get interesting for the Bobcats. Varejao's motor and versatility as a big man would be a good complement to Emeka Okafor, who needs to stay close to the basket offensively and defensively to be effective."

Kevin McHale expects trade talks to start heating up for No. 3 pick

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June 24

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Timberwolves held their final pre-draft workouts Monday, looking at three prospects, including a pair of projected top-10 guards in Arizona's Jerryd Bayless and Indiana's Eric Gordon. Vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale, in his last media session before Thursday's NBA draft, said he expects trade offers for the Wolves' third overall selection to heat up between now and then. "Up until now, there's been a lot of people who have just kind of thrown some stuff out there," McHale said. "They'll get more serious starting (Monday) and (Tuesday) and on Thursday you'll get a good offer. The teams you talk to, you say, 'Will I do this?' And they say, 'Will I do that?' ..."

Bobcats Trade Rumors