Bobcats claim Brendan Haywood

[carolina-chuck]

DID we claim DARKO MILICIC TOO????

[carolina-chuck]

Haywood, Thomas, and Diop will all be gone after this year.

Walker, Sessions, Henderson, Gordon, and Williams will all be back at the one and two spot.

You tell me which is more likely to happen.

The Bobcats are going to do a makeover on the front court.

Haywood, Walker, Sessions, Gordon and maybe Hendo (depends on his performance in 2012-2013) will be back.

Thomas, Diop, Williams, and hopefully Carroll will be gone

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

DID we claim DARKO MILICIC TOO????

No, that's just the way the tweet read, it was meant to refer that Milicic was amnestied.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

LAS VEGAS – Brendan Haywood already lives in Charlotte. Now he works there, too.

The Charlotte Bobcats claimed Dallas Mavericks center and former North Carolina Tar Heel Haywood off waivers Saturday. The move – expected to cost about $6 million over the next three seasons – could land the Bobcats their starter in the middle.

Seven-footer Haywood was waived Thursday under the NBA's amnesty provision, which allows each team to cut one player and no longer count his salary against that team's cap. The Bobcats agreed to pay about $2 million each season of what the Mavs still owe Haywood in a blind-auction process for amnestied players.

"When you have an opportunity to get a quality center, you do it," said Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins."He's somebody we're familiar with from his rookie season in Washington."

Higgins and Bobcats owner Michael Jordan were running the Wizards' basketball operation when Haywood arrived as a rookie. The Mavericks amnestied him Thursday in order to sign free-agent center Chris Kaman. Haywood has a home in Charlotte and frequently worked out at Time Warner Cable Arena with various Bobcats the past few summers.

"He's a defender, a rebounder, a runner and a shot-blocker," Higgins described. "He has the ability to take up space in the paint, and we need that. He really rolls hard to the basket (offensively). The way he plays, he has to be honored in the paint, and we need that" to free up perimeter shooters.

Haywood, 32, grew up in Greensboro before becoming a Tar Heel. He played at North Carolina with power forward Antawn Jamison, who the Bobcats are recruiting in free-agency. Signing Jamison would likely complete the Bobcats’ major off-season acquisitions, after they signed point guard Ramon Sessions on Friday.

Over a 10-year NBA career, Haywood has averaged 7.2 points and 62 rebounds and shot 53 percent from the field. He’ll compete with fellow centers Bismack Biyombo and Byron Mullens for playing time.

The Observer first reported the Bobcats’ interest in Haywood Wednesday. He cleared waivers – with the Bobcats submitting the winning bid – about 5 p.m. Saturday.

Higgins said Haywood’s foot speed and shot-blocking ability could be particularly useful in the system new coach Mike Dunlap is installing.

"In the up-tempo defensive mechanism we'll have, a shot-blocker as the last line of defense is always helpful," Higgins said.

Higgins said a veteran center could be good for Biyombo, as a mentor.

"He can lean on Brendan," Higgins said.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Carroll is without a doubt gone lol

[carolina-chuck]

Carroll is without a doubt gone lol

I hate Carroll. Remember back in the ol' day when he was our star player, giving pregame speech and $hit.

And can someone tell me why he always take the foul shot?

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

No idea, Walker is are best free throw shooter on the roster now.

[d-run]

I highly doubt that Thomas starts being that we are searching for another power forward. I wouldn't be surprised if Thomas was inactive for periods of time this year.

I have a feeling Thomas and Dunlap aren't going to get along so well. Hell, Thomas tried to fight Silas last year and he is about a big a players coach as there is.

[carolina-chuck]

Heres my top four 2013 prospect:

1. Nerlens Noel

2. Shabazz Muhammad

3. Cody Zeller

4. James McAdoo

Any of the four should be a great addition to our squad next year. With that said we need to somehow land a top 4 pick or we lose out on everything building for the future.

With the addition of Haywood, CarolinaPanthers8789 already knows, I want Shabazz. But Id like to add McAdoo if he actually performs well next season for UNC.

I like Noel and Zeller bc big men like that does not grow on trees, but we already have Haywood and Biyombo + a guy in Mullens. We need to upgrade that SG position seriously. I dont want a mediocre guy in Hendo where every year people just assume he can be better every year.

Between Noel and Zeller, I think Noel is the one who could possibly play center. Zeller is best suited for a PF in this league. Hes almost the same player as Pau Gasol. Probably a good shooter like Marc, but is not physically as gifted as Marc.

So, if everything goes according to plan, we should look to add Shabazz or McAdoo in next year draft. We have a big man in Haywood, and we need shooters. Shabazz is an amazing prospect and McAdoo should be a great compliment to Biyombo. Biyombo will at best be a shot blocking, decent shooter like a Ibaka in this league. He will never be a great scorer.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Thomas is a headcase and he always seemed like the lazy type to begin with. That type won't fly with Dunlap. At least Diop try's to run the court.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

McAdoo is my guy, I would love to add him to the roster.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

If McAdoo comes back with a jump shot, he should be our pick for sure. His post game got a lot better towards the end of the year, all he needs is a smooth mid range jumper.

[thatlookseasy]

Haywood is a good pickup for 3 year $6 mil. Gives you a solid center with plenty of size but who isnt a guy who will take too many minutes from the young guys.

Kemba Walker, Ramon Sessions

Gerald Henderson, Ben Gordon

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Jeffrey Taylor

Bismack Biyombo, Tyrus Thomas

Brendan Haywood

Thats a solid 9 man rotation with a lot of athleticism. Ideally replace Tyrus with Jamison or someone on a short contract and thats an fun team to watch with a lot of future cap flexibility

[carolina-chuck]

or maybe Dunlaps can get into Thomas' head. Dunlaps seem like an intense coach. These guys will grow up into men quickly by being coach by Dunlaps.

Silas was terrible. He seemed like he was a players coach. Someone who pity some guys from others. Thats why he and Thomas had to happy moments together.

Dunlaps is the right coach for this team that will not tolerate anything. Thomas will either take this as and advantage and grow as a player from Dunlaps or he will be another stupid kuckle head in this league.

Im so glad, the Silas' days are over. I couldnt stand looking at a young team being coach from a guy who seemed clueless from the sideline.