Bobcats close to trading Jason Hart
Point guard would go to Kings
RICK BONNELL
Staff Writer
One year after the Charlotte Bobcats signed Jason Hart to be their starting point guard, he appears headed to Sacramento.
The Bobcats are close to a deal that would move Hart to the Sacramento Kings for a future second-round pick, a team source confirmed Tuesday. This move reinforces how intent the Bobcats are to install rookie Raymond Felton as their starting point guard.
Moving Hart would free up more than $3 million on the salary cap over the next two seasons. Hart was the Bobcats' first free-agent signing last July when he accepted a three-year deal worth nearly $5 million.
Hart started several exhibitions before being overtaken by Brevin Knight. He still made 27 starts as either point or shooting guard.
He finished the season averaging 9.5 points and 5.0 assists. Then Charlotte used the fifth overall pick on Felton, a three-year starter at North Carolina. Coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff has called developing Felton a team priority.
Bickerstaff, who could not be reached Tuesday night, has said he hopes to re-sign Knight, an unrestricted free agent. He sees Knight as a mentor to Felton.
No trade or veteran signing can happen before the NBA and the players association finalize the new collective-bargaining agreement, expected to happen next week.
I think it's a good move by the Kings to replace the Backup PG spot of Bobby Jackson.
