| Quiet Draft Could Push Bobcats Into Playoffs Authored by Danny Thompson - June 29, 2009 - 2:36 pm
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The Cats decided to bring back point guard Raymond Felton, last Tuesday by bringing him back for the qualifying offer of $5.5 million dollars for next season. Felton last season was second on the team in scoring (14.2) and led the team in minutes played (37.6) and assists (6.7) and played in all 82 games. If the restricted free agent Felton remains in Charlotte this summer, they will have a dynamic point guard rotation of Felton and DJ Augustin. The team and Felton are working on a long term contract to keep the team’s co-captain in a Bobcats uniform for a long time.
The Bobcats did not extend the qualifying offer, however, to Sean May. May has provided moments of potential, but has been derailed by injuries and weight problems over the duration of his 3 years here in Charlotte. Last season, he averaged 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 12.5 minutes in 24 games.
On Thursday, the Cats drafted two players of need to help solidify the need for a shooting guard and versatility on the bench in drafting Duke’s Gerald Henderson and Xavier’s Derrick Brown.
Henderson brings another wing with solid athleticism and can get to the basket on regular basis. He was a McDonald’s All-American coming out of high school, who was also teammates with North Carolina and Minnesota Timberwolves 1st round pick, Wayne Ellington. Last season at Duke, he averaged 16.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He loves to attack the basket and can finish in traffic. Henderson needs to work on his jump shot to be a regular in the rotation. Larry Brown will love his ability to play defense and his basketball pedigree. (His father played for the Boston Celtics in the championship days in the 80’s) He gives the Cats the future heir apparent to Raja Bell.
Brown, a 6'8" left-handed forward, was an underrated part of Xavier’s success over the last three years. He is a player who can guard three positions on the floor and is very good rebounder for his position and size. He has improved each season and capped off last season by averaging 13.7 ppg and 6.1 rebounds. He is a very good shooter from the floor (50% from the field) and hit over 43% of his three’s last season. He will provide the Cats with more depth and another quality player off the bench for Charlotte next season.
After looking at the roster going into free agency, the Cats are in very good shape to make a playoff run next season. Even though they are over the cap, the team still has the Mid-Level Exception to possibly bring in a big man to help out on the front line if May and free agent Juwan Howard do not resign with the team. Other free agents on the roster include guard/forward Cartier Martin and point guard Sean Singletary. The Cats should try to bring in Portland’s Channing Frye, Brandon Bass of Dallas or Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace to help out the front line with the Mid-level Exception. |
