PLAYER NEWS:
--G Raja Bell is no lock to be with the team if the Bobcats could work out a deal to move his expiring contract for help elsewhere. Bell would like a contract extension and, considering his age and late-season injuries, it's unlikely the Bobcats would offer one. --F Boris Diaw has a busy September with the French national team. Hopefully that won't leave him tired, rather than fresh, when he shows up for training camp in October.
--F Derrick Brown, a 6-8 rookie, could end up playing some power forward by default next season if the Bobcats don't sign a veteran to play behind Diaw. There's no question the Bobcats' largest hole right now is backup power forward.
DRAFT PICKS:
Gerald Henderson, G, 6-4, Duke (first round) -- He fills such an obvious need behind Raja Bell that he'd have to be an all-time flop not to be in the Bobcats' rotation as a rookie.
Derrick Brown, F 6-8, Xavier (second round) -- The Bobcats claim he was 20th on their draft board, yet he lasted to the 40th pick. He's a small forward at the NBA level who could play some power forward. He probably makes the roster, but where does he find minutes behind Gerald Wallace and Vladimir Radmanovic?
Robert Vaden, G-F, 6-5, Alabama-Birmingham (second round) -- He was sold, in a pre-arranged deal, to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Considering the Bobcats' financial challenges, can you blame them?
