Raymond Felton signed Charlotte's one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer on Wednesday after the restricted free agent was unable to come to teams on a long-term contract.
The move means the Bobcats starting point guard will report on time to training camp next week, then become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
"Raymond didn't want this to be a distraction to his teammates or to the organization going into training camp. So we just decided it was time," agent Kevin Bradbury said. "Raymond wanted to move on. He didn't want this to linger anymore."
Felton averaged 14.2 points and 6.7 assists last season and won over new coach Larry Brown, who said keeping Felton was a top offseason priority.
Felton also repeatedly said he wanted to stay in Charlotte and sign a long-term deal, but the two sides were never close.
This may not be a bad thing. In the event that Raymond's agent has over-estimated Felts worth to other teams, the post-season process will give them a dose of reality about what he can realistically expect to be paid rather than staying stuck in his agent's fantasy world. It will give the Cats FO the info that they need to know what the bottom-line will be as far as what they need to offer Felts in a long-term contract proposal.
Bye Bye Ray Ray - he will not be back next season. This is discouraging.
You really think that some team will give him a $10M/year six year contract? If they do then yes the Cats will lose him because I doubt that we'd agree to those terms.
I would much rather take 6 million to play with two legit all-stars on a team, especially as a point guard, than 7 million to play with Wallace and a bunch of hard working but average NBA starters.
You really think that some team will give him a $10M/year six year contract? If they do then yes the Cats will lose him because I doubt that we'd agree to those terms.
It's not all about the money - Felton wants to win. If he thinks he can win elsewhere with a an offer similar to what the Bobcats put out there for him after the season, he will go. I would.
I would much rather take 6 million to play with two legit all-stars on a team, especially as a point guard, than 7 million to play with Wallace and a bunch of hard working but average NBA starters.
No offense to our team - but you hit the nail on the head.
It's not all about the money - Felton wants to win. If he thinks he can win elsewhere with a an offer similar to what the Bobcats put out there for him after the season, he will go. I would.
If it's about playing with All-Stars, etc, then why doesn't Felton stfu about wanting to stay in Charlotte. Given the fact that the Cats FO can meet any other contract offer made to Felts as an RFA, he's not going anywhere for 6Mil if the Cats offer 7mil. I just think that Felts and his pimp (oops--agent) over-estimate Felts value to other teams. And as Timmeh said, given the 2010 FA market, Felts won't get squat from other teams who would rather spend their money for the top FAs.
If it's about playing with All-Stars, etc, then why doesn't Felton stfu about wanting to stay in Charlotte. Given the fact that the Cats FO can meet any other contract offer made to Felts as an RFA, he's not going anywhere for 6Mil if the Cats offer 7mil. I just think that Felts and his pimp (oops--agent) over-estimate Felts value to other teams.
Whoaa...aren't you jumping the gun there? The only inclination that Felton wanted anything over the MLE was that SportingNews report. Bonnell said a week before that 7 million would "get it done".
7 million average over 6 years with 10% increases is right at the full MLE. That's the same thing Ariza got and LESS than Villaneuva got from Detroit.
And RFA is now over. After this season Felton will become a UFA...and the Bobcats will no longer have the option of matching a deal and forcing Felton to stay.
Quote:
Originally Posted by onewickedlady
And as Timmeh said, given the 2010 FA market, Felts won't get squat from other teams who would rather spend their money for the top FAs.
Do you really think Lebron & Wade are going to other teams...esp. when their own team can offer around 20 million more over the life of their contracts vs. those other teams? Even Bosh looks like he won't move now. The only real top tier player who looks likely to move is Amare...and behind him Boozer.
Regardless, Here's a list of the PGs who will be UFAs next season:
Raymond Felton
Rafer Alston
Steve Blake
CJ Watson
Luke Ridnour
Mike James
Derrick Fisher
Chris Duhon
Anthony Johnson
Marcus Williams
Anthony Carter
Antonio Daniels
Chris Quinn
Out of that group being available in UFA does anyone think Felton WON'T get at least a full MLE offer from somewhere? All 30 teams will have that...so I think the chance of Felton getting a choice of where he wants to play next season is pretty darn good.
Okay--I just finished reading the article in today's local paper about Felts and I do see that now his status as RFA becomes FA. So if other teams will offer Felts the MLE then the Cats will have to do a bit better to keep Felton. I still do not see him as being any better than an average good player. I haven't compared his stats with those of the 2010 available PGs yet but maybe there's someone better out there that we should be courting instead of Felton...Because I think that Felts pimp has been trying to wean Felton away from the Bobcats.
Felton signs a one year deal with the 'Cats
