Amnesty Clause: Bobcats' top candidates.

          For those of you not familiar with the amnesty clause that is fully expected to be part of the new CBA its as simple as this. It will allow teams to cut players without having their salaries count against the cap, although the players will still be due the money remaining on their contracts. Charlotte has a few players that are candidates for this as their roster isn't exactly friendly when it comes to good contacts.

          The most likely cut will almost certainly be Desagana Diop. Diop made $6.5 million last season, and is due to make right at $6.9 million this season, and $7.4 million next season. Last season Diop played 13 games and averaged 1.3 points and 2.5 rebounds, and even throughout his career has been nothing more than a space eater in the paint who plays OK defense, and is a decent shotblocker. Jordan is probably chomping at the bit to shred this horrific contract.



         Next up is Matt Carroll, which I don't really foresee the amnesty clause being used on him, but it is still a possibility. Carroll is due $3.9 million this year, and $3.5 million next year, and averaged a rather abysmal 4 points and 1 rebound per game last season. That being said, although his contract isn't exactly friendly,  Charlotte does need his three point shooting, and for an offensively challenged club they need all the help they can get.

        There have also been some grumblings that Charlotte might try to use the amnesty clause on Boris Diaw, which I find absolutely troubling in a sense. Yes, it is true that Diaw is definitely not worth the $9 million he is expected to get paid this year, but it is the last year of his deal and will be a rather large expiring contract that Jordan, and Rich Cho could possibly use as a trade piece, or just let it expire. Im sure Jordan would prefer to let Tyrus Thomas, and Bismack Biyombo take the reigns in the front court, but one more year of Diaw wont hurt, and more than likely he will finally play up to his full potential in a contract year just like everybody else.

        Corey Maggette is also a possibility, but I don't see this happening either. Maggette is due to make $10.2 million this year, and $10.9 million next year, but this Charlotte team after the trade of Stephen Jackson will be struggling mightily for offense, and thats about the only thing Maggette has left that he can contribute. He is also about the only average - above average small forward on the roster as the trades of Gerald Wallace, and Stephen Jackson gutted the team at that position. He, like Diaw, is not at the caliber of the contract he is set to receive, but Im fairly certain that Rich Cho will just ride out the last 2 years of his contract while the Bobcats continue to rebuild.




          All this being said it appears on paper that Charlotte will use the amnesty clause on finally letting go of Diops contract. The new CBA thus far appears as if it is going to help the Bobcats mightily especially with the improved revenue sharing so this is a great way for a rebuilding team to start.