Share
The Bobcats exercised a $2.45million option on D.J. Augustin, weeks before the deadline, but are still undecided whether to guarantee a similar, $1.47million option on forward Alexis Ajinca.
That speaks to the divergence of the situations: Not only did Augustin have a fine rookie season, he's the team's only protection at point guard should Raymond Felton leave after this season.
Ajinca is still looking to prove he belongs in the rotation, and should get plenty of minutes during the preseason to display what he can or can't do at the start of his second season. The Bobcats have until Oct.31 – three games into the regular season – to decide on Ajinca's status.
The Bobcats generally have downplayed the financial aspect of the Tyson Chandler-Emeka Okafor trade, but coach Larry Brown was pretty clear when asked about the deal Tuesday.
“You can figure out why it was done – it's not about the players,” Brown said.
Translation: The Bobcats saved tens of millions in the long run by exchanging Okafor's contract for the much shorter Chandler deal.
