In the News

Bobcats' Higgins: Patience is key (AP)
Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins says patience is the key to turning around the struggling NBA franchise. He says the Bobcats are resisting the urge to pursue trades that would provide short-term gratification. Instead, the team's focus is on the offseason where they hope to make long-term upgrades to the roster.

Bobcats hire Cho as GM, promote Higgins (AP)
The Charlotte Bobcats have hired former Portland general manager Rich Cho for the same job and are promoting Rod Higgins to president of basketball operations. The team announced the move late Monday, just over a week before the NBA draft and three weeks after Cho was fired by the Trail Blazers. Cho was on the job in Portland less than a year, but brokered a trade with Higgins and the Bobcats in...

Cats elevate Higgins, hire ex-Blazer Cho as GM
The Charlotte Bobcats have promoted Rod Higgins to president of basketball operations and hired former Blazers executive Rich Cho as general manager.

Bobcats hire Cho as GM; promote Higgins
The Charlotte Bobcats have hired former Portland general manager Rich Cho for the same job and are promoting Rod Higgins to president of basketball operations.

Odd contract makes Dampier 'Dust Chip' (AP)
Rod Higgins was general manager of the Golden State Warriors in 2004 when he helped negotiate what seemed like a routine sign-and-trade deal involving center Erick Dampier. Six years later, Higgins is on the other side of the country in a new job as GM of the Charlotte Bobcats. And now he holds what's become one of the most valuable contracts in recent memory -- the last year of Dampier's...

Bobcats to give Miles shot at comeback (AP)
The Charlotte Bobcats will bring veteran forward Darius Miles to training camp with a non-guaranteed contract as he attempts another comeback from a serious knee injury. General manager Rod Higgins said Friday the former No. 3 overall draft pick will get a chance with after participating in offseason workouts and summer-league practices with Charlotte.

F Thomas wants to remain with Bobcats (AP)
Impending restricted free agent Tyrus Thomas has made it clear: He wants to stay in Charlotte and sign a long-term deal with the Bobcats. Thomas says he "definitely" wants to remain with the Bobcats after being acquired in a February trade from Chicago. General manager Rod Higgins said earlier this month it's likely the Bobcats will offer him a one-year qualifying offer worth a little...

Bobcats sign G veteran Hughes (AP)
The Charlotte Bobcats have signed veteran guard Larry Hughes to help with depth in the backcourt as they attempt to reach the playoffs for the first time. General manager Rod Higgins announced this month they wouldn't sign Hughes because of his broken finger. But the injury has healed, and a team spokesman says Hughes passed his physical and could practice on Saturday.

Felton, Bobcats 'definitely not close' to new deal
Raymond Felton's agent went to Las Vegas confident he was close to hammering out a long-term deal with the Charlotte Bobcats. Kevin Bradbury left the meeting with Charlotte general manager Rod Higgins disappointed and far apart in negotiations. "We're definitely not close as far as what we're discussing and what we think fair market (value) is for Raymond," Bradbury said Wednesday, a day after the meeting.

NBA free agents: Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats far apart on a new contract
Raymond Felton's agent went to Las Vegas confident he was close to hammering out a long-term deal with the Charlotte Bobcats. Kevin Bradbury left the meeting with Charlotte general manager Rod Higgins disappointed.

Bobcats near signing of Juwan Howard
The Charlotte Bobcats were closing in Tuesday night on signing veteran forward Juwan Howard, who had been without a job since being released by Denver last month. General manager Rod Higgins said he had been in discussions with Howard's agent, David Falk, and expected a deal completed in next day or two. The Nuggets had also shown interest in re-signing the 35-year-old Howard, in his 15th NBA season. "We're fortunate that we were able to get in the mix with Juwan," Higgins said.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/480129197" height="1" width="1"/

Bobcats close to signing F Juwan Howard (AP)
The Charlotte Bobcats were closing in Tuesday night on signing veteran forward Juwan Howard, who had been without a job since being released by Denver last month. General manager Rod Higgins said he had been in discussions with Howard's agent, David Falk, and expected a deal completed in next day or two.

Rockets match Bobcats' offer sheet, keep Landry
The Rockets matched the Bobcats' three-year, $9 million offer sheet for restricted free-agent Carl Landry on Thursday, keeping the forward in Houston. The Rockets took less than 24 hours to make the move, leaving Charlotte still searching for frontcourt depth before the start of training camp next week. "We obviously thought it was a good opportunity to get the guy," Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins said. "But it's part of the business.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/403163295" height="1" width="1"/

Bobcats give Okafor team-record $72M deal
The Charlotte Bobcats are paying big money to keep top rebounder and shot blocker Emeka Okafor. The Bobcats have come to terms with the restricted free agent on a six-year, $72 million deal, ending a month of negotiations. General manager Rod Higgins confirmed the deal Tuesday, which marks the biggest contract the Bobcats have given a player since they entered the league in the 2004-05 season. ESPN.com first reported late Monday that the two sides were close to an agreement.