http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/138474.html
Former Kings pick watches stock rise
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:34 am PDT Thursday, March 15, 2007
There's room to grow, not only for his bank account but for his game, too.
Gerald Wallace, the Kings draft pick whose game has risen since Charlotte picked him up in the 2004 expansion draft, will face free agency this offseason. He has a player option for $6 million for next season, which is like saying one of Donald Trump's kids could get $100 per week from their billionaire papa.
The Bobcats are among the few teams that will have loads of salary cap room, with $27.7 million officially on the books for the 2007-08 campaign and the cap expected to be $54 million to $58 million.
But Wallace said he is focused on securing progress relative to last season. With the Bobcats' win over the Kings, they are within two of their mark from 2005-06.
Come July, though, Wallace will have options. He is considered among the top free agents available.
The Bobcats seem to place Wallace as a priority and have the spending room to follow through, but they are also amid change. Michael Jordan, the team's managing member of basketball operations, announced Tuesday that coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff won't be courtside next season, though he likely will retain his upper-management duties. Still, Wallace said he likes the direction of the franchise.
"It feels pretty good to me, the way the organization is going and the way they're putting everything together," Wallace said. "I like the guys they're (bringing) in, so it's pretty much a good situation for me here."
Wallace had it good against the Kings, with his squad winning despite his struggles against Ron Artest. The Kings small forward held Wallace to 13 points on 5-for-13 shooting, and Wallace fouled out with 3:37 remaining.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Former Kings pick watches stock rise
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:34 am PDT Thursday, March 15, 2007
There's room to grow, not only for his bank account but for his game, too.
Gerald Wallace, the Kings draft pick whose game has risen since Charlotte picked him up in the 2004 expansion draft, will face free agency this offseason. He has a player option for $6 million for next season, which is like saying one of Donald Trump's kids could get $100 per week from their billionaire papa.
The Bobcats are among the few teams that will have loads of salary cap room, with $27.7 million officially on the books for the 2007-08 campaign and the cap expected to be $54 million to $58 million.
But Wallace said he is focused on securing progress relative to last season. With the Bobcats' win over the Kings, they are within two of their mark from 2005-06.
Come July, though, Wallace will have options. He is considered among the top free agents available.
The Bobcats seem to place Wallace as a priority and have the spending room to follow through, but they are also amid change. Michael Jordan, the team's managing member of basketball operations, announced Tuesday that coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff won't be courtside next season, though he likely will retain his upper-management duties. Still, Wallace said he likes the direction of the franchise.
"It feels pretty good to me, the way the organization is going and the way they're putting everything together," Wallace said. "I like the guys they're (bringing) in, so it's pretty much a good situation for me here."
Wallace had it good against the Kings, with his squad winning despite his struggles against Ron Artest. The Kings small forward held Wallace to 13 points on 5-for-13 shooting, and Wallace fouled out with 3:37 remaining.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.