Comprehensive Expiring Player Discussion

[spectre]

Felton, Chandler Seek Return to Up-and-Coming Bobcats

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- These are exciting times in the Queen City. And with Charlotte players now feeling like kings in town, two key Bobcats want to still be part of it next season.

Point guard Raymond Felton (right), who becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1, said in an interview with FanHouse before Friday's 87-86 overtime win over Milwaukee he wants to re-sign this summer with the Bobcats. Felton's long-term future with the team was in doubt last summer when he turned down a multi-year deal as a restricted free agent to instead sign a one-year contract.

"No question, this is where I want to be,'' Felton said. "So hopefully we can work something out.''

Then, in a post-game interview with FanHouse, center Tyson Chandler said he doesn't plan to opt out of his contract this summer, meaning he will return next season to the Bobcats rather than become an unrestricted free agent. It's pretty much of a no-brainer decision considering Chandler is due $13.2 million next season, an amount no other team would pay him. Still, he's very enthusiastic about being with the Bobcats.

"I'm sure I'll be here,'' Chandler said. "I'm sure this is going to be where I'm going to be. I'm sure. I'll finish out the final year of my contract. This team is continuing to go in the right direction.''

The future of coach Larry Brown is another story. But a return of Felton and Chandler, who has been on the mend lately after an injury-plagued start to the season, would give the up-and-coming Bobcats all of their key players back for next season. Gerald Wallace, Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw are all under contract.

With Friday's win, the Bobcats (40-35) lowered their magic number for clinching the first playoff berth in the team's six-year history to four. Felton is sure excited about when the Bobcats might clinch, saying it "would be a dream come true for me.''

Felton's enthusiasm for Charlotte wasn't as clear-cut last summer, when general manager Rod Higgins said he turned down a multi-year contract offer. Higgins wouldn't give specifics, but the Charlotte Observer reported last fall the offer was for about $7 million annually, more than the $5.5 million qualifying offer he got in order to become unrestricted this summer.

"We maintained a willingness last summer. We tried to get something done long term,'' Higgins said of negotiations with Felton, in his fifth season. "So we'll continue to see how the season goes. [Felton turning down last summer's offer was] what negotiations are all about. It takes two to tango. You don't take it personal. That's just the way of the business. We all [still like Felton].''

There's been more to like this season, with Felton calling it "probably my best year as a point guard as far as running the team and scoring when I need to.'' Felton is averaging 12.1 points and 5.5 assists, which is down from last season's 14.2 and 6.5. But the Bobcats have an additional backcourt weapon in Jackson and Felton is playing less minutes, with his per-minute averages actually not all that different.

Perhaps most importantly, Felton's turnovers are down and his field-goal percentage has soared from 40.8 to 45.6. Felton struggled Friday, shooting 4-of-15 for 12 points, but in the previous eight games he had shot 61.8 percent while averaging 15.8 points.

"He's had a pretty solid year,''' Brown said. "You know what you can expect from him every night. He tries to guard. He tries to do the right thing. And I think he's getting there. He's had periods this year where he's played at an unbelievably high level.''

Felton didn't want to talk about why he chose to sign a one-year deal last summer. But Felton, a native of South Carolina who played at the University of North Carolina, emphasized Charlotte is where he wants to remain.

"This is where I want to be,'' Felton said. "I mean, this is Charlotte. Charlotte is like home. Close to home. Close to where I went to college at Chapel Hill. It's just like being at home so, of course, I would love to be here.''

As Higgins said, it takes "two to tango.'' But it takes one to tango when it comes to Chandler (right), who holds all the cards as to whether he will return to the Bobcats.

When asked if it wouldn't make sense to walk away from all that money, Chandler said, "Exactly.'' But it's more than that for Chandler, acquired last summer from New Orleans.

"I'm sure this is where I'll be,'' said Chandler, averaging 6.2 points and 6.2 rebounds. "I love it here. I'm just starting to come in and playing with the guys and being healthy and they're starting to see who I am. We're starting to jell.''

Chandler, who has missed 30 games this season primarily due to ankle and leg problems, said he only recently has fully recovered from left ankle surgery last summer. Chandler never has been one to put up big numbers, but over the past two weeks he's had a 15-point outing, three games of eight or more rebounds and a three-block night.

It was only appropriate Chandler and Felton combined for the game-saving play Friday. With three seconds left in overtime, Chandler tapped out a rebound to Felton, who ran out the clock to secure the win.

The two would like to combine for some more key plays next season in Charlotte.

Chris Tomasson can be reached at tomasson@fanhouse.com or Twitter@christomasson

[BRNC]

spectre...great find and we can only hope we do resign Ray...also NBATV finally posted the Arena Link interview with Ray last night...

trying to embed it but having no luck...but they have it up and is a good view...

[ALong13]

Suck Chandler opted in, I expected it, but it would have been great if he opted out giving us money to sign TT & Felton. I'm really worried we won't be able to re-sign TT

[CatNation]

We'd have to find some way to split with either Naz or Diop. Nobody wants Diop obviously so it'd be finding a taker for naz. He's been great for us but Theo has been able to fill in at a much more affordable price and I don't see any reason he'd be any worse next year. Dude's real athletic for his age and you can tell he keeps himself in tip top shape. He's just like Mutombo.

[Walt Cronkite]

"No question, this is where I want to be,'' Felton said. "So hopefully we can work something out.''

I'm sure I'll be here,'' Chandler said. "I'm sure this is going to be where I'm going to be. I'm sure. I'll finish out the final year of my contract. This team is continuing to go in the right direction.''

I haven't seen video of these quotes, but in text form, they couldn't be more different.

[dnbman]

I haven't seen video of these quotes, but in text form, they couldn't be more different.

What do you mean? From each other? From reality?

[spectre]

"I love it here. I'm just starting to come in and playing with the guys and being healthy and they're starting to see who I am. We're starting to jell.''

You missed this part, but I agree they're not exactly the same.

[Walt Cronkite]

I didn't miss it, just omitted it. Felton's initial reaction is "I love it here. I want to be here". Chandler's is "I have a massive contract, I'm sure this is where I'm going to be". Maybe the quote is out of place, but it's the first time I remember seeing Chandler say he loves it here, not so for Felts.

[spectre]

Well aside from the no brainer of not opting out of over 13 million, their history is nothing alike. Felton grew up near Charlotte (relatively speaking), went to college in the state, started here the 2nd year of the franchise's existence and has been thru all the ups and downs. I'm sure in his mind he helped get us to what success we've had and he wants to continue it.

TC on the other hand just than a year ago was upset at being traded from a playoff team with Chris Paul no less to a lottery team. Add to that he's never been healthy here, hasn't really contributed to the team til lately and I'm sure he knows a lot of fans have been slamming him repeatedly.

To even think that he'd love it here after all that is a pretty big leap. He's going to get paid so he doesn't have to have that attitude. Being the positive guy that I am I see it as only a good thing.

[dnbman]

Well aside from the no brainer of not opting out of over 13 million, their history is nothing alike. Felton grew up near Charlotte (relatively speaking), went to college in the state, started here the 2nd year of the franchise's existence and has been thru all the ups and downs. I'm sure in his mind he helped get us to what success we've had and he wants to continue it.

TC on the other hand just than a year ago was upset at being traded from a playoff team with Chris Paul no less to a lottery team. Add to that he's never been healthy here, hasn't really contributed to the team til lately and I'm sure he knows a lot of fans have been slamming him repeatedly.

To even think that he'd love it here after all that is a pretty big leap. He's going to get paid so he doesn't have to have that attitude. Being the positive guy that I am I see it as only a good thing.

All that, plus, I think TC was just being direct. The plain truth is that he'll be here because of the contract. To me, he just acknowledges the fact before pointing out he enjoys being here. Definitely a difference between their perspectives though.