[Charlotte Observer] Source: Wallace agrees to deal

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Posted on Tue, Sep. 20, 2005


OBSERVER EXCLUSIVE


Source: Wallace agrees to deal

Bobcats forward will sign a 3-year contract

RICK BONNELL

Staff Writer


The Charlotte Bobcats got back their starting small forward Monday.

Gerald Wallace agreed to a three-year deal that will prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer, the Observer has learned. A source close to Wallace said he can opt out of the contract after two seasons.

Financial terms were not available, but Wallace previously turned down a three-year deal worth about $16 million.

This compromise avoids a potentially touchy situation. Had Wallace signed the one-year qualifying offer, he'd become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of '06 but would have little financial security. It was also a gamble for the Bobcats: Under NBA rules, Wallace could have vetoed any trade, leaving the team in danger of losing him without compensation.

Wallace and his agent, Rob Pelinka, met with Bobcats coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff Thursday. They couldn't agree then, and Bickerstaff said afterward he expected Wallace to play for the qualifying offer, worth about $2 million.

Wallace is an exceptional athlete: A great leaper who blocks shots, grabs steals and runs the floor for spectacular dunks. His block of Minnesota's Wally Szczerbiak last season might have been the signature play of the Bobcats' season.

However, by his own admission, he's still a work in progress. His jump shot is unreliable and he led the Bobcats in turnovers last season (159). As great a help defender as he is, he doesn't always contain the player he's guarding.

Still, the Bobcats didn't have a lot of options at his position. Matt Carroll is better suited at shooting guard and Jason Kapono and Keith Bogans are unsigned.

It could take about a week for Wallace's deal to become official. Signing him would push the roster to 14, and just about end the Bobcats' offseason transactions.