2007 OFF-SEASON COVERAGE
FREE AGENCY SIGNING PERIOD
With Joe Johnson safely locked up and only $2.856 million of cap space to play with, the Bobcats set their sights on acquiring a backup SF. If there is any leftover cap space after this exercise then it will be offered to free agent guard Andrew "The X" Watson.
AUGUST 2007
I started out by immediately by going after the 1 players who I thought could really help my team, Joe Johnson.
Bobcats sign Michael Pietrus
The Charlotte Bobcats are happy to announce the signing of SG Joe Johnson to a 1 year, $2.85 million deal.
Michael Pietrus was asking for a 1 year, $3.23 million deal, and is probably hoping for a big year that will lead to a big payday. Since I didn't have the cap space to sign Pietrus for that much I offered him a 1 year, $2.75 million deal.
Knowing that we still had money on the table (only like $100k), his agent wasn't rejected the offer to maximise the contract offer that he would receive from us.
The best I could do was offer Pietrus a 1 year, $2.85 million deal.
Realising that he probably wasn't going to get any better offers in the open market, Joe Johnson decided to say goodbye to the desert and accept the Bobcats' offer.
I think this signing is another great score for the Charlotte Bobcats. Whilst it might look like the team doesn't need another SG, Michael Pietrus can also backup at the SF spot. He's an athletic specimen who will hopefully provide a lockdown defender off the bench in the clutch. For the time being, with the logjam in the backcourt, the Bobcats will be forced to play Pietrus primarily at SF. Hopefully this won't last for ever, as Pietrus is probably better suited to more time at the SG spot. This signing could spell the end of the chase of Andrew Watson unless other players are moved.
Charlotte fans should get use to this sight as this Frenchman won't shy away from the hole
Will X mark his spot with Charlotte?!?
Entering the open market, Andrew Watson was quite a hot commodity with his steady hands and deadly touch from the perimeter. Aside from his old team, the Charlotte Bobcats, the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs all showed interest in the sharpshooter. Whilst Phoenix and San Antonio's interest was fleeting, it was the Bobcats and Heat who would fight it out for Watson's signature.
Bobcats fail to re-sign Andrew "The X" Watson
It was announced today that the Charlotte Bobcats had not come to terms with Andrew "The X" Watson in the timeframe given. All that the Bobcats could offer under the salary cap was the league minimum of $745k. Watson was after a long-term deal that started at about double that, and averaging over $2 million per season.
Not willing to take no for an answer, the Bobcats tried to persuade Watson to accept a 1 year deal at league minimum and they would re-negotiate a fatter contract next season.
Not happy with what the Heat and Bobcats had to offer, Watson's agent informs the teams that all current offers have been rejected.
Another offer, another rejection. Watson will continue to wait it out for a better offer.
On the last day of the free agency period the Bobcats make one, last ditched effort to sign free agent guard Andrew Watson, and fail.
This one hurt the Bobcats' front office as they always intended to re-sign Watson. I guess they get what they deserve for not showing him enough respect and instead pursuing 2 other bigger name free agent SG's (JJ and Pietrus). Watson's future is uncertain, but reports out of Europe is that a top European club has offered him a very lucrative deal to play over there. If he doesn't sign in Europe, then it is likely we will see Watson either in Miami or Charlotte.
After the free agency period my roster looks like this:
C - Guy Dumars/Nene
PF- Emeka Okafor/Tiago Splitter
SF- Bobby Simmons/Michael Pietrus
SG- Joe Johnson/Rashad McCants (R)/Luther Head/Alex Acker (R)
PG- Gilbert Arenas/Marko Jaric/Ben Tshibaka
As can be seen, the team is really started to take shape right now. I still am a little strong in the backcourt and would preferably have Pietrus as the backup SG rather than a smallish backup SF. More insurance in the middle is required but I should be able to find some waiver wire guy for that
That is how the free agency period in August panned out. I'll try and get the rest of the trading period summary up tonight....
enjoy
X