- Jun 3, 2002
- 761
- 109
hopefully we arent paying Jefferson a million dollar per game increase. 12 more wins = 12 million for Jefferson
Official 2021-2022 Charlotte Hornets Thread : Bouknight, Jones, The LaMelo Era
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by carolinakickg,
- Start date
- Jun 3, 2002
- 761
- 109
Bobcats don’t need $10 million man, yet
By Tom Sorensen
I hope the Charlotte Bobcats’ interest in Al Jefferson is a public relations move.
See, fans? We’re tired of waiting. We want to improve now. That’s why we’re bringing Jefferson, the second-best big man in all of free-agency, to Charlotte Wednesday. We’re going to pick up his airfare, put him up in a nice hotel, buy all his meals – the man weighs 289 pounds – and maybe throw in Jordan Brand gear. And it’s all on the house except the Jordan Brand gear, which we’ll sell him at cost.
Jefferson, 6-foot-10, will average about 17 points and nine rebounds for whomever he plays. He’s smart and effective and would be the best big man Charlotte has ever had.
The Bobcats could use him next season.
But they don’t need him next season.
Next season is the season the Bobcats have to go through to reach 2014-15. That’s all it is.
I’m not suggesting that Charlotte tank. You don’t tell Kemba Walker and his teammates to tank. You don’t tell new coach Steve Clifford and his staff to tank. The Bobcats will charge full price for tickets and fans are entitled to maximum effort from players and coaches.
Maybe they win five or 10 more games than the 21 they won last season. Maybe Jefferson is worth an additional five. Is that worth the $10 million (or so) a season Charlotte will pay him?
In June, 2014, in a draft that could be full of dazzling difference-makers, the Bobcats will have as many as three first-round picks. Yes, Charlotte performs better with a basketball than it does with ping pong balls. And, yes, getting lucky in the lottery is probably not the most mature strategy for building a franchise.
But fans of the Bobcats have been waiting since 2004 for something good to happen. As long as the team hustles and entertains, they can wait one season more.
Let’s see what associate head coach Patrick Ewing can do with big men Bismack Biyombo, who will turn 21 next month, and Cody Zeller, who will turn 21 in October. Cede the middle to the young guys and allow 28-year-old Jefferson to enhance the roster of some other team.
The Bobcats ought to be way under the cap a year from now – I can’t be specific because I don’t know how much they’ll offer (or pay) free-agent guard Gerald Henderson or if they’ll make a run at free-agent forward Josh McRoberts.
The Bobcats will dump the contract of Tyrus Thomas under the amnesty clause.
So after they sign their draft picks in 2014, they’ll have the money to go after a good free agent or free agents.
Imagine. They can fly the candidates to Charlotte, put them up, feed them and sign them, too.
Every recent move the Bobcats have made is about 2014-15.
The move they don’t make should lead there, too.
By Tom Sorensen
I hope the Charlotte Bobcats’ interest in Al Jefferson is a public relations move.
See, fans? We’re tired of waiting. We want to improve now. That’s why we’re bringing Jefferson, the second-best big man in all of free-agency, to Charlotte Wednesday. We’re going to pick up his airfare, put him up in a nice hotel, buy all his meals – the man weighs 289 pounds – and maybe throw in Jordan Brand gear. And it’s all on the house except the Jordan Brand gear, which we’ll sell him at cost.
Jefferson, 6-foot-10, will average about 17 points and nine rebounds for whomever he plays. He’s smart and effective and would be the best big man Charlotte has ever had.
The Bobcats could use him next season.
But they don’t need him next season.
Next season is the season the Bobcats have to go through to reach 2014-15. That’s all it is.
I’m not suggesting that Charlotte tank. You don’t tell Kemba Walker and his teammates to tank. You don’t tell new coach Steve Clifford and his staff to tank. The Bobcats will charge full price for tickets and fans are entitled to maximum effort from players and coaches.
Maybe they win five or 10 more games than the 21 they won last season. Maybe Jefferson is worth an additional five. Is that worth the $10 million (or so) a season Charlotte will pay him?
In June, 2014, in a draft that could be full of dazzling difference-makers, the Bobcats will have as many as three first-round picks. Yes, Charlotte performs better with a basketball than it does with ping pong balls. And, yes, getting lucky in the lottery is probably not the most mature strategy for building a franchise.
But fans of the Bobcats have been waiting since 2004 for something good to happen. As long as the team hustles and entertains, they can wait one season more.
Let’s see what associate head coach Patrick Ewing can do with big men Bismack Biyombo, who will turn 21 next month, and Cody Zeller, who will turn 21 in October. Cede the middle to the young guys and allow 28-year-old Jefferson to enhance the roster of some other team.
The Bobcats ought to be way under the cap a year from now – I can’t be specific because I don’t know how much they’ll offer (or pay) free-agent guard Gerald Henderson or if they’ll make a run at free-agent forward Josh McRoberts.
The Bobcats will dump the contract of Tyrus Thomas under the amnesty clause.
So after they sign their draft picks in 2014, they’ll have the money to go after a good free agent or free agents.
Imagine. They can fly the candidates to Charlotte, put them up, feed them and sign them, too.
Every recent move the Bobcats have made is about 2014-15.
The move they don’t make should lead there, too.
mr marcus
Banned
- May 3, 2010
- 26,572
- 5,415
wouldn't mind jefferson but I really want us to tank this season
- Mar 8, 2008
- 6,682
- 1,314
Fully expect us to sign Al tomorrow. Anything at 10 mil and below im cool with.
Maybe he'll take a 1 yr/10 mil deal with an option similar to david west's first deal with indy. MJ is tired of losing, but we've waited so long for next season.
Signing Al wont put us in the playoffs but its a signing i feel we have to make. Gotta get a semi big name here again
Maybe he'll take a 1 yr/10 mil deal with an option similar to david west's first deal with indy. MJ is tired of losing, but we've waited so long for next season.
Signing Al wont put us in the playoffs but its a signing i feel we have to make. Gotta get a semi big name here again
- Feb 19, 2013
- 11,832
- 14,477
Just as woody said: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9450469/al-jefferson-sign-charlotte-bobcats-sources-say
I think we probably overpaid, that's clear. But my feeling is we were going to have to overpay whoever we signed to get them to come play in Charlotte. Overall, I'm pretty happy about it.
I think we probably overpaid, that's clear. But my feeling is we were going to have to overpay whoever we signed to get them to come play in Charlotte. Overall, I'm pretty happy about it.
- Jan 16, 2013
- 436
- 47
I guess people didn't watch Cody Zeller lead Indiana last year
- Feb 11, 2008
- 19,697
- 12,757
- Mar 8, 2008
- 6,682
- 1,314
I was at games 3 and 4. Tyrus was never the same after his injury. I was a huge fan. Changed his form on his jumper and ot became terrible. Not gonna miss him. Good riddance.
Im fine with the signing. Good value. Lets resign Gerald and Josh amd im happy. Good day to be a cats/hornets fan
Im fine with the signing. Good value. Lets resign Gerald and Josh amd im happy. Good day to be a cats/hornets fan
- Feb 19, 2013
- 11,832
- 14,477
Monta Ellis apparently on the Bobcats radar. I think he'll be more expensive than he's worth. Fired his agent, best offer was 10-11 mill on the table. No way we should pay that.
Had me looking over the Free Agents still available.....
Call me crazy, and you might, but I think we should make a run at Nick Young.
Proven scorer in the league if he needs to be, but at worst a reliable off-the-bench (potentially getting starter's minutes) option on the wing that can score and defend. Only made 5.6 mill last year. If we could get him for anything near that, I'd be in favor of it.
Had me looking over the Free Agents still available.....
Call me crazy, and you might, but I think we should make a run at Nick Young.
Proven scorer in the league if he needs to be, but at worst a reliable off-the-bench (potentially getting starter's minutes) option on the wing that can score and defend. Only made 5.6 mill last year. If we could get him for anything near that, I'd be in favor of it.
- Feb 19, 2013
- 11,832
- 14,477
DVRed and watched all 3 summer league games.
Takeaways from current players:
1. Jeffrey Taylor - asserted himself in all 3 games. Arguably best player on the floor at moments. Has stacked on some muscle. If he continues to shoot it, he WILL see minutes and in quarters 1-3 probably more than Ben Gordon.
2. Bismack Biyombo - No tangible improvement from what we usually see. Had a few nice blocks. Still can't catch worth crap.
3. MKG - NOT afraid to shoot it, and shoot it from deep. Made more than expected but still not a high percentage. Rest of his game is where you'd expect to be/last saw.
NEWBIES:
1. Zeller - HIGHLY impressed with how well he ran the floor, how high he can jump, his effort to get back on D, etc. That pick is growing on me.
2. Ewing Jr - Played well for stretches, but don't think he'll get an invite
3. Henry Sims - Due to his size, seems to be most likely to get an invite to training camp. Not sure what people really see in him though, he fumbled SO MANY passes. Even took a pass from Abdul Gaddy (I think) off the face that ended up going in.
4. Jerome Dyson - I was decently impressed. Remembered this dude from UConn and how he can get to the hole. His outside shooting was pretty abismal, but he impressed more than Gaddy, Triche, Daniels in my opinion.
Never saw Jamie Skeen or Deron Washington even touch the floor.
Takeaways from current players:
1. Jeffrey Taylor - asserted himself in all 3 games. Arguably best player on the floor at moments. Has stacked on some muscle. If he continues to shoot it, he WILL see minutes and in quarters 1-3 probably more than Ben Gordon.
2. Bismack Biyombo - No tangible improvement from what we usually see. Had a few nice blocks. Still can't catch worth crap.
3. MKG - NOT afraid to shoot it, and shoot it from deep. Made more than expected but still not a high percentage. Rest of his game is where you'd expect to be/last saw.
NEWBIES:
1. Zeller - HIGHLY impressed with how well he ran the floor, how high he can jump, his effort to get back on D, etc. That pick is growing on me.
2. Ewing Jr - Played well for stretches, but don't think he'll get an invite
3. Henry Sims - Due to his size, seems to be most likely to get an invite to training camp. Not sure what people really see in him though, he fumbled SO MANY passes. Even took a pass from Abdul Gaddy (I think) off the face that ended up going in.
4. Jerome Dyson - I was decently impressed. Remembered this dude from UConn and how he can get to the hole. His outside shooting was pretty abismal, but he impressed more than Gaddy, Triche, Daniels in my opinion.
Never saw Jamie Skeen or Deron Washington even touch the floor.
- Mar 8, 2008
- 6,682
- 1,314
anyone going to the announcement thursday? Thinking about making the trip down since it's an all day event. Hoping they have some jersey's done
- Feb 19, 2013
- 11,832
- 14,477
I wish. I'm a 9-5er. What's the announcement?
What jerseys are you hoping they have done? Hornets? I think it will be a while before we see those. You might be able to snag a Zeller or Jefferson Bobcats though.
I have a home Kemba. Thinking of getting an away this year just to hold onto. Not sure who though for that one.
If anyone goes and is able to snag an extra XL in the Buzz City or Bring Back the Buzz T-shirts if they are giving them out (or selling for $20 or less) then I'd happily pay for it.
gllahone84
Banned
- Jul 10, 2011
- 11,727
- 1,912
The same way dudes watched Morrison at Gonzaga...
- Jun 3, 2002
- 761
- 109
Those Buzz City shirts from the Bobcats are 30 dollars because they are Jordan Brand
- Nov 22, 2012
- 1,695
- 1,206
I got a question. You guys ever made playoffs? Seems every year you're in lottery
gllahone84
Banned
- Jul 10, 2011
- 11,727
- 1,912
yeah in 2010
- Nov 15, 2007
- 7,910
- 2,189
Cody looking good so far 
gllahone84
Banned
- Jul 10, 2011
- 11,727
- 1,912
He is...but I don't put much into summer play.Cody looking good so far
Still playing well out there.
Last edited:
- Jun 3, 2002
- 761
- 109
Larry Jordan, brother of Bobcats owner Michael, named director of player personnel
LAS VEGAS -– Larry Jordan, older brother of Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan, is being promoted to the team’s director of player personnel, a team spokesman confirmed Tuesday night.
The promotion of Larry Jordan, previously holding the title of director of special projects, was first reported by Yahoo Sports.
Jordan, who would report to team president of basketball operations Rod Higgins and general manager Rich Cho, is in Las Vegas this week for the Bobcats’ participation in summer league. He’ll be doing various scouting assignments in this new job.
Director of player personnel is a position last held with the Bobcats by Buzz Peterson before he left in 2009 for a second stint as head coach at Appalachian State. Peterson, Michael Jordan’s college roommate at North Carolina and a close friend, later left Appalachian State for UNC Wilmington.
Hiring relatives has been a common practice for the Bobcats in their decade-long history. Past head coaches Bernie Bickerstaff and Paul Silas each hired a son as an assistant. Higgins’ son, Cory, played point guard the 2011-12 season for the Bobcats. Most recently, Patrick Ewing Jr., son of the team’s associate head coach, was given a spot on the summer-league roster.
LAS VEGAS -– Larry Jordan, older brother of Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan, is being promoted to the team’s director of player personnel, a team spokesman confirmed Tuesday night.
The promotion of Larry Jordan, previously holding the title of director of special projects, was first reported by Yahoo Sports.
Jordan, who would report to team president of basketball operations Rod Higgins and general manager Rich Cho, is in Las Vegas this week for the Bobcats’ participation in summer league. He’ll be doing various scouting assignments in this new job.
Director of player personnel is a position last held with the Bobcats by Buzz Peterson before he left in 2009 for a second stint as head coach at Appalachian State. Peterson, Michael Jordan’s college roommate at North Carolina and a close friend, later left Appalachian State for UNC Wilmington.
Hiring relatives has been a common practice for the Bobcats in their decade-long history. Past head coaches Bernie Bickerstaff and Paul Silas each hired a son as an assistant. Higgins’ son, Cory, played point guard the 2011-12 season for the Bobcats. Most recently, Patrick Ewing Jr., son of the team’s associate head coach, was given a spot on the summer-league roster.
- Jun 3, 2002
- 761
- 109
Bobcats & RFA Gerald Henderson are having ongoing contract conversations about possible return, source tells Y!, but still not close on $.
gllahone84
Banned
- Jul 10, 2011
- 11,727
- 1,912
Here we go again...
- Feb 19, 2013
- 11,832
- 14,477
Is there online link?
- Jun 3, 2002
- 761
- 109
Only in the team store. I work right across the street from the TWC arena.
- Jun 3, 2002
- 761
- 109
NBA owners expected to give Bobcats OK to change name to Charlotte Hornets
Buzz City: Fans ready to celebrate anticipated name change to Charlotte Hornets at uptown party on Thursday evening.
By Rick Bonnell
[email protected]
Posted: Wednesday, Jul. 17, 2013
Buzz City Celebration
What: An uptown party to recognize the anticipated name change of Charlotte’s NBA team from Bobcats to Hornets, starting in the 2014-15 season.
When: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Where: EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St.
What to expect: FanFest will begin at noon at EpiCentre Commons, where there will be games, giveaways and music. At 6:30 p.m., at EpiCentre Pavilion, former Charlotte Hornets players Muggsy Bogues, Rex Chapman, Dell Curry, Kendall Gill and Kelly Tripucka will greet fans. … Michael Jackson tribute band “Who’s Bad” is the live act.
Admission: Free to the public.
LAS VEGAS The NBA’s rubber stamp will hit the Charlotte Bobcats’ request for a name change to the Hornets at a Board of Governor’s meeting Thursday at the Wynn resort in Las Vegas.
The Bobcats technically need approval from a majority of the league’s other 29 teams to take on the name of Charlotte’s original NBA team. But it’s clear there won’t be resistance, after the New Orleans franchise gave up that nickname to be called the Pelicans.
Incoming NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said twice during visits to Charlotte that he is for this name change if Bobcats owner Michael Jordan wants it. And outgoing Commissioner David Stern advocated a name change, according to a source familiar with Stern’s thinking.
The Bobcats will celebrate the anticipated name change at an uptown event coinciding with Alive after Five at the EpiCentre.
Ex-Hornets of Charlotte vintage Dell Curry, Muggsy Bogues, Rex Chapman, Kendall Gill and Kelly Tripucka have been invited to a rally, beginning about 6:30 p.m. at the EpiCentre. The Board of Governors meeting is scheduled to conclude sometime between 6:30 and 8 EDT.
The Bobcats did market research that showed strong support, both from season-ticket holders and the general public, to adopt the name of the Hornets franchise that played in Charlotte from 1988 through 2002.
The actual change in name, logo and uniforms won’t take effect until after the 2013-14 season because of all the changeover entails. For instance, adidas, the league’s uniform maker, needs time to design and fabricate new uniforms.
Beyond that, the Bobcats’ courts, both at the arena and the adjoining practice facility, will have to be resurfaced. Extensive signage inside and outside Time Warner Cable Arena will have to be replaced.
The Bobcats estimate the cost of all those changes will reach about $4 million
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/20...s-expected-to-give-bobcats.html#storylink=cpy
Buzz City: Fans ready to celebrate anticipated name change to Charlotte Hornets at uptown party on Thursday evening.
By Rick Bonnell
[email protected]
Posted: Wednesday, Jul. 17, 2013
Buzz City Celebration
What: An uptown party to recognize the anticipated name change of Charlotte’s NBA team from Bobcats to Hornets, starting in the 2014-15 season.
When: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Where: EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St.
What to expect: FanFest will begin at noon at EpiCentre Commons, where there will be games, giveaways and music. At 6:30 p.m., at EpiCentre Pavilion, former Charlotte Hornets players Muggsy Bogues, Rex Chapman, Dell Curry, Kendall Gill and Kelly Tripucka will greet fans. … Michael Jackson tribute band “Who’s Bad” is the live act.
Admission: Free to the public.
LAS VEGAS The NBA’s rubber stamp will hit the Charlotte Bobcats’ request for a name change to the Hornets at a Board of Governor’s meeting Thursday at the Wynn resort in Las Vegas.
The Bobcats technically need approval from a majority of the league’s other 29 teams to take on the name of Charlotte’s original NBA team. But it’s clear there won’t be resistance, after the New Orleans franchise gave up that nickname to be called the Pelicans.
Incoming NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said twice during visits to Charlotte that he is for this name change if Bobcats owner Michael Jordan wants it. And outgoing Commissioner David Stern advocated a name change, according to a source familiar with Stern’s thinking.
The Bobcats will celebrate the anticipated name change at an uptown event coinciding with Alive after Five at the EpiCentre.
Ex-Hornets of Charlotte vintage Dell Curry, Muggsy Bogues, Rex Chapman, Kendall Gill and Kelly Tripucka have been invited to a rally, beginning about 6:30 p.m. at the EpiCentre. The Board of Governors meeting is scheduled to conclude sometime between 6:30 and 8 EDT.
The Bobcats did market research that showed strong support, both from season-ticket holders and the general public, to adopt the name of the Hornets franchise that played in Charlotte from 1988 through 2002.
The actual change in name, logo and uniforms won’t take effect until after the 2013-14 season because of all the changeover entails. For instance, adidas, the league’s uniform maker, needs time to design and fabricate new uniforms.
Beyond that, the Bobcats’ courts, both at the arena and the adjoining practice facility, will have to be resurfaced. Extensive signage inside and outside Time Warner Cable Arena will have to be replaced.
The Bobcats estimate the cost of all those changes will reach about $4 million
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/20...s-expected-to-give-bobcats.html#storylink=cpy
- Jun 3, 2002
- 761
- 109
Gerald Henderson’s status last major priority for Charlotte Bobcats
Gerald Henderson’s status remains the team’s highest priority, but point guard and big man need addressing, too.
By Rick Bonnell
[email protected]
Posted: Wednesday, Jul. 17, 2013
Assuming the Charlotte Bobcats re-sign Gerald Henderson, above, they will be roughly at the NBA’s salary cap next season -- $58.7 million. So any other needs most likely would be addressed with veteran-minimum contracts.
LAS VEGAS New Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford doesn’t want to get caught shorthanded next season at point guard or among the big men.
He can live with fewer choices at shooting guard and small forward.
That’s Clifford’s general philosophy in building an NBA roster. With the Bobcats signing free-agent center Al Jefferson and re-signing power forward Josh McRoberts, the roster has been firmed up. The last major step will be resolving whether shooting guard Gerald Henderson is back, either through a multi-year extension or on the one-year qualifying offer.
Clifford sees signing a third point guard and retaining another big man as priorities.
“You have to have a third point guard. If your team’s not organized in this league, you have no chance to play well,” Clifford said at summer-league practice Wednesday.
“I think you have to have six bigs,” he added, referring to centers and power forwards.
“We have some flexibility in that (small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) will play some power forward. But if you don’t have enough bodies up front and you go to Memphis and one of them has the flu, that means somebody (undersized) has to guard Zach Randolph.”
The Bobcats’ stay in Las Vegas for summer league is winding down. Seeded fifth in what now is an elimination tournament, they’ll play the Memphis Grizzlies, who beat the Washington Wizards to advance.
If the Bobcats lose Thursday, they will play a consolation game Saturday. If they win, they will keep playing until they either lose or win the tournament Monday.
Assuming the Bobcats re-sign Henderson, they will be roughly at the NBA’s salary cap next season -- $58.7 million. So any other needs most likely would be addressed with veteran-minimum contracts. That would be the avenue for players like point guard Jannero Pargo and power forward Jeff Adrien to return.
Here’s a look at where the Bobcats stand at each of the five positions:
Point guard: Kemba Walker and Ramon Sessions under contract.
Comment: They’re as solid here as any position. Walker improved dramatically between his rookie and second seasons, as reflected in his invitation to the Team USA minicamp this month in Las Vegas. Sessions was a strong free-agent signing a year ago; he attacks well off the dribble and can defend some shooting guards enough to allow Clifford to play both point guards together. Clifford wants a third point; Pargo was solid over the final 18 games last season, and adds some 3-point shooting.
Shooting guard: Ben Gordon and Jeff Taylor under contract. Henderson is a restricted free agent.
Comment: The team wants to sign Henderson, the 12th overall pick in 2009. The question is agreeing on a salary number. If Henderson doesn’t sign for multiple years, he could play next season under a qualifying offer (in excess of $4.2 million) to become unrestricted next summer. Gordon is in the final year of his contract at a team-high salary of $13.2 million. Taylor’s play in Las Vegas reinforced the idea he can play shooting guard and small forward.
Small forward: Kidd-Gilchrist and Taylor under contract.
Comment: Kidd-Gilchrist is a strong defender who Clifford believes can guard shooting guards, small forwards and some power forwards. Taylor also has defensive versatility and shot 48 percent from the field and 38percent from 3-point range during three summer-league games.
Power forward: Cody Zeller, McRoberts and Adrien under contract. (Adrien unguaranteed).
Comment: Zeller, the fourth overall pick last month, and McRoberts figure to spend lots of time in the high post, since they’re both strong passers and ballhandlers. Adrien should get a look at camp, since he still is attached to the team on an unguaranteed deal.
Center: Jefferson, Bismack Biyombo and Brendan Haywood under contract.
Comment: Jefferson is the most expensive free-agent acquisition in franchise history, addressing a chronic need for post scoring. Biyombo is a defender who is quite limited offensively. Haywood has two seasons left, costing the Bobcats $2 million each season. It is conceivable summer-leaguer Henry Sims is invited to camp.
Gerald Henderson’s status remains the team’s highest priority, but point guard and big man need addressing, too.
By Rick Bonnell
[email protected]
Posted: Wednesday, Jul. 17, 2013
Assuming the Charlotte Bobcats re-sign Gerald Henderson, above, they will be roughly at the NBA’s salary cap next season -- $58.7 million. So any other needs most likely would be addressed with veteran-minimum contracts.
LAS VEGAS New Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford doesn’t want to get caught shorthanded next season at point guard or among the big men.
He can live with fewer choices at shooting guard and small forward.
That’s Clifford’s general philosophy in building an NBA roster. With the Bobcats signing free-agent center Al Jefferson and re-signing power forward Josh McRoberts, the roster has been firmed up. The last major step will be resolving whether shooting guard Gerald Henderson is back, either through a multi-year extension or on the one-year qualifying offer.
Clifford sees signing a third point guard and retaining another big man as priorities.
“You have to have a third point guard. If your team’s not organized in this league, you have no chance to play well,” Clifford said at summer-league practice Wednesday.
“I think you have to have six bigs,” he added, referring to centers and power forwards.
“We have some flexibility in that (small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) will play some power forward. But if you don’t have enough bodies up front and you go to Memphis and one of them has the flu, that means somebody (undersized) has to guard Zach Randolph.”
The Bobcats’ stay in Las Vegas for summer league is winding down. Seeded fifth in what now is an elimination tournament, they’ll play the Memphis Grizzlies, who beat the Washington Wizards to advance.
If the Bobcats lose Thursday, they will play a consolation game Saturday. If they win, they will keep playing until they either lose or win the tournament Monday.
Assuming the Bobcats re-sign Henderson, they will be roughly at the NBA’s salary cap next season -- $58.7 million. So any other needs most likely would be addressed with veteran-minimum contracts. That would be the avenue for players like point guard Jannero Pargo and power forward Jeff Adrien to return.
Here’s a look at where the Bobcats stand at each of the five positions:
Point guard: Kemba Walker and Ramon Sessions under contract.
Comment: They’re as solid here as any position. Walker improved dramatically between his rookie and second seasons, as reflected in his invitation to the Team USA minicamp this month in Las Vegas. Sessions was a strong free-agent signing a year ago; he attacks well off the dribble and can defend some shooting guards enough to allow Clifford to play both point guards together. Clifford wants a third point; Pargo was solid over the final 18 games last season, and adds some 3-point shooting.
Shooting guard: Ben Gordon and Jeff Taylor under contract. Henderson is a restricted free agent.
Comment: The team wants to sign Henderson, the 12th overall pick in 2009. The question is agreeing on a salary number. If Henderson doesn’t sign for multiple years, he could play next season under a qualifying offer (in excess of $4.2 million) to become unrestricted next summer. Gordon is in the final year of his contract at a team-high salary of $13.2 million. Taylor’s play in Las Vegas reinforced the idea he can play shooting guard and small forward.
Small forward: Kidd-Gilchrist and Taylor under contract.
Comment: Kidd-Gilchrist is a strong defender who Clifford believes can guard shooting guards, small forwards and some power forwards. Taylor also has defensive versatility and shot 48 percent from the field and 38percent from 3-point range during three summer-league games.
Power forward: Cody Zeller, McRoberts and Adrien under contract. (Adrien unguaranteed).
Comment: Zeller, the fourth overall pick last month, and McRoberts figure to spend lots of time in the high post, since they’re both strong passers and ballhandlers. Adrien should get a look at camp, since he still is attached to the team on an unguaranteed deal.
Center: Jefferson, Bismack Biyombo and Brendan Haywood under contract.
Comment: Jefferson is the most expensive free-agent acquisition in franchise history, addressing a chronic need for post scoring. Biyombo is a defender who is quite limited offensively. Haywood has two seasons left, costing the Bobcats $2 million each season. It is conceivable summer-leaguer Henry Sims is invited to camp.
