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In return for footing an extra $500,000 in payroll this season, the Charlotte Bobcats have traded an expiring contract for some frontcourt help.
Tuesday afternoon the Bobcats dealt little-used shooting guard Matt Carroll to the New Orleans Hornets for forward Hakim Warrick. Warrick can play either forward position, though he's generally been more effective as a power forward in the NBA.
Carroll was a co-captain for the Bobcats this season, but he played little in a packed rotation of shooting guards. He makes $3.5 million this season, compared to Warrick's $4 million salary.
"We're still figuring how he fits in, but with the (salaries close), I don't think there's much of a risk at all," Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins told The Observer. "I've always seen him as more of a 4 (power forward) than a 3 (small forward), but you never want to completely tell about players until they're with you."
Warrick's contract has a $4 million team option for next season, so he's obligated to the Bobcats in 2013-14, but the team isn't obligated to him. A former star at Syracuse, the 6-9 Warrick is in his eighth NBA season. For his career, he's averaging 9.5 points, 49 percent shooting and 4.1 rebounds.
He was out of the rotation with the Hornets, playing in just one of their first five games.
While Carroll, a nine-season NBA player, wasn't in the rotation in Charlotte, he will be missed for his intangibles.
"That Matt was chosen as a co-captain (without playing much) speaks volumes," Higgins said. "He was well-respected by all his teammates because he works so hard at his craft."
