DRAFT PICKS
D.J. Augustin, G, 6-0, Texas -- Undersized, pass-first point guard who'll serve as a contrast to incumbent Raymond Felton.
Alexis Ajinca, C 7-0, French pro -- Raw, long-limbed athlete who figures to be a long-term project inside.
Kyle Weaver, G 6-6, Washington State -- Above-average defender at shooting guard who needs to become a better shooter.
FREE AGENT FOCUS
The major focus is obviously on Emeka Okafor, who becomes a restricted free agent after turning down a long-term contract extension before this season. Okafor already turned down over $12 million a season, and though he says he wants to remain here long-term, it wouldn't be shocking if he signed a one-year qualifying offer to reach unrestricted free agency in July of 2009.
Ryan Hollins, Derek Anderson and Boykins are also free agents and the Bobcats didn't exercise a team option on Othella Harrington for next season. Of those four, restricted free agent Hollins -- a young, athletic, but unpolished, big man -- seems the most likely to return to the Bobcats.
PLAYER NOTES
--Rookie point guard D.J. Augustin was tremendous in summer league play, particularly in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. Augustin scored 30 in that game on 11-of-15 shooting. Despite being just six feet tall, he had no problem getting to the rim off pick-and-rolls.
--The Bobcats' other first-round pick, French C Alexis Ajinca, sprained his left knee in Las Vegas, but is expected to be fine for training camp. It was apparent in summer league how badly Ajinca needs to gain weight and strength.
--Larry Brown indicated that if F Sean May is healthy, he'll get the chance to start this season. May missed all last season following micro-fracture surgery to address a bone bruise in his right knee. May says he'll be ready for full participation when training camp opens in October.
--F Gerald Wallace said he wasn't surprised his name came up in trade discussions between the Bobcats and Toronto Raptors. Wallace, who signed a long-term contract last summer, said a new front office and coaching staff always signals potential change.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
