The Bobcats have selected Jared Dudley in the first round with the #22 pick in the NBA Draft. Dudley stands at 6′7″ and he weighs 225 pounds. At Boston College, Dudley used to throw his weight around in the paint and he will likely try to do the same thing in the NBA. Dudley played in 130 games at Boston College and he averaged 15.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Dudley also is a decent shooter as he has hit 50.4% of his shots from the floor, 36.5% from three point range and 73.1% from the free throw line. Dudley was a nice pick for the Bobcats as he will help early and often in his rookie season.

Michael Jordan wanted to make the Bobcats a playoff contender for the coming up season and that explains the trade he made during the draft. The Bobcats traded the #8 pick (Brandan Wright) to the Golden State Warriors for Jason Richardson and the #36 draft pick (Jermareo Davidson).  Jason Richardson will start for the Bobcats at shooting guard and he will be a big part of the offense. Richardson was banged up last season as he only played in 51 games (49 starts) and he averaged 32.8 minutes, 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game. His shooting was a little off last season as he hit 41.7% from the floor, 36.5% from three point range and 65.7% from the free throw line. Richardson has been a good player over his career and he should fit in well with the Bobcats. He has played in 438 games (431 starts) and he’s averaged 35.5 minutes, 18.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game over his career. He also has shot 43.3% from the floor, 35% from three point range and 69.2% from the free throw line.

Jermareo Davidson is a 6′10″,230 pound power forward who will likely back up Emeka Okafor this season. Davidson played in 126 games at Alabama and he has averaged 10.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 1.8 blocked shots per game. He shot 46.7% from the floor, 21.1% from three point range and 75% from the free throw line.

The Charlotte Bobcats currently have 7 players that could become free agents. Two of them have club options and they will likely get picked up (Walter Herrmann and Ryan Hollins). Primoz Brezec and Jake Voskuhl both have player’s options so it will be interesting to see if they want to remain with the Bobcats or test the open market. But the big issue is Gerald Wallace and the Bobcats must try to retain him as he’s one of their best players. Matt Carroll and Jeff McInnis are also set to become unrestricted free agents and the Bobcats would probably like to bring Carroll back if they can re-sign him for a reasonable contract. The Bobcats hold the #8 and #22 picks in the NBA Draft and they likely will select the best player available.

Gerald Wallace has opted out of his contract and he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. The Bobcats must do all they can to re-sign Wallace who is their 2nd best player behind Okafor. Wallace gives a great effort on both sides of the basketball court and that is a great example for the young Bobcats roster to see. It would be a shame for the Bobcats to have to replace their best player from the expansion draft as he has improved every single season in Charlotte. The problem for the Bobcats is that the rest of the NBA has seen what Wallace can do and there will be plenty of teams interested in his services which will drive up the price. Do the right thing Bobcats’ management and reward Wallace for his good work.