Felton officially gone, agreed to join Knicks One way or another, the Charlotte Bobcats will have a new starting point guard next season. Five years after the Bobcats drafted him fifth overall, Raymond Felton agreed to join the New York Knicks. Though precise terms have yet to be finalized, Felton will make $15.8 million over the next two seasons, according to the New York Post. The Knicks might get a third season at the team's option. Felton had said repeatedly he wanted to remain a Bobcat. He's lived his whole life in the Carolinas, first growing up in Latta, S.C., then winning a national championship with North Carolina. But the Bobcats showed little interest in retaining him once he became an unrestricted free agent July 1. Felton turned down a long-term deal last summer that would have paid him about $6 million a year. Then he performed poorly in a playoff sweep by the Orlando Magic, severely outplayed by Jameer Nelson. "New York showed the interest,'' Felton said in a television interview with South Carolina's WPDE. "For the fans of Charlotte, I would have loved to be there, loved to have an extended contract in that city. "I love everything you did for me, supporting me individually and supporting the Bobcats. The city of Charlotte is great.'' It became apparent the Bobcats had misgivings about re-signing him last month when general manager Rod Higgins called Felton's free-agency a "delicate situation.'' The Bobcats have payroll management problems – they're trying to avoid paying the NBA's luxury tax – and prioritized re-signing power forward Tyrus Thomas. Thomas agreed Friday to a five-year, $40 million deal with the Bobcats. By signing with the Knicks, Felton will get the annual salary he desired, but not the long-term security. The Knicks want to retain salary-cap flexibility, possibly to make a run at New Orleans point guard (and former Wake Forest star) Chris Paul eventually. "It may not be for as many years as I wanted,'' Felton said, "but at the same time when I get done with my deal I'll still be 28 or 29 years old. Still be young, still be in my prime. Hopefully I'll get another one after that.'' Felton becomes the fifth former lottery pick to leave the Bobcats. The only two left from the team's seven-draft history are Augustin and former Duke guard Gerald Henderson. The 2005 draft, in which the Bobcats selected Felton fifth and Sean May 13th, is now a wash-out. The Bobcats turned down a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers to trade up to No. 3, which would have given them the choice of Paul or Utah Jazz All-Star Deron Williams. For now Augustin – drafted ninth overall in 2008 – is the team's only point guard. Though teammate Stephen Jackson said Augustin is up to starting, Augustin is coming off a season in which he regressed from his rookie season. He averaged 6.4 points and 2.4 assists and shot 39 percent from the field. Augustin is well aware how poorly he played. "I just had a bad year. It's on me,'' Augustin said in Orlando, while practicing with the Bobcats' summer-league team. "I didn't have a great season at all. I blame nobody but myself for that. I've got to come out next year, whatever my role is, and play hard every day.'' It's questionable whether the Bobcats will trust Augustin to be the starter come November. They tried at the February trade deadline to acquire T.J. Ford from the Indiana Pacers, as insurance should Felton leave. Ford is still available – he had a falling-out with Pacers coach Jim O'Brien – so it's possible the Bobcats could acquire him. Bobcats owner Michael Jordan acknowledged Friday the team is looking hard for a trade, possibly to reduce payroll or create a trade exception that would allow for another deal. It's conceivable the Bobcats would deal one of their centers or power forward Boris Diaw to acquire a point guard. At minimum, Higgins has said, they'd need a backup to Augustin. Among the point guards who played in summer league games (Augustin didn't play), rookie Sherron Collins of Kansas showed the most potential. Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/07/10/1555611/felton-officially-gone-signs-with.html#ixzz0tL33xyxf -- 理直，气和。 --

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