[Bryan88]

DraftExpress: NBA Team Needs: Southeast Division

Charlotte Bobcats (32-50 in 2007-0

Draft pick: No. 9, No. 38

Depth Chart

PG: Raymond Felton / Earl Boykins*
SG: Jason Richardson / Matt Carroll / Derek Anderson*
SF: Gerald Wallace / Jared Dudley / Adam Morrison
PF: Nazr Mohammed / Jermareo Davidson/ Othella Harrington* / Sean May
C: Emeka Okafor* / Ryan Hollins*

*Potential free agent

Could use help at: Point Guard, Forward/Center

Bottom line: The Bobcats took an aggressive step last offseason by deviating from their slow and steady rebuilding process to acquire Jason Richardson. Despite the major acquisition, the team failed to achieve the same record it did a season ago. General Manager Rod Higgins made a similarly aggressive move this offseason by introducing Larry Brown as Head Coach. With Brown in fold, the Bobcats will have to grow up fast in order to avoid another disappointing season. Higgins will have to decide whether he wants to keep the franchise’s first draft selection, restricted free agent Emeka Okafor, around for the continuing rebuilding process. His decision on that front will decide what Brown has to work with in his first year in Charlotte.

Draft outlook: Though Nazr Mohammed put together a career year, Charlotte will come into the draft looking for a long term answer at PF/C next to Emeka Okafor. Kevin Love and Brook Lopez would be solid fits in Larry Brown’s offense, with Lopez being the better fit next to Emeka Okafor, who had a tough time defending quicker power forwards this season. Love is attractive because of his ability to face the basket, shoot from the perimeter and make post-entry passes, but could very well be long-gone by the ninth pick. If Higgins opts to look for a more long-term approach, Anthony Randolph has potential comparable to that of the player Higgins dealt for Jason Richardson, Brandan Wright.

The biggest question mark here is whether or not these players are on the same time-table as Charlotte, as at some point you need to stop drafting prospects and start winning games. For that reason, Higgins may be inclined to once again shop the team’s lottery selection in search of a proven veteran.

Charlotte also has a decision to make at the point guard spot. The player they drafted in the top 5 just two years ago, Raymond Felton, has major talent but looks like a very poor fit for the style of basketball Larry Brown typically likes to play. Do they cut their losses and go after a more half-court oriented playmaker like D.J. Augustin in the draft? Or do they stay the course with Felton and hope that both sides are able to meet half-way?

With their second round pick in this very deep draft, the Bobcats may be able to find an interesting prospect that otherwise would have gone in the first round in any “normal” draft, hopefully possessing the character and winning attitude that the team was built on. Richard Hendrix, Ryan Anderson and D.J. White could be a few of the more intriguing guys out there, if available. A number of European players who can be stashed overseas for a few more years could be found here as well, such as Nikola Pekovic, Omer Asik, Ante Tomic or Nathan Jawai.