Charlotte Bobcats Interested in Ramon Sessions and Brendan Haywood

The Charlotte Bobcats’ latest free agent targets are point guard Ramon Sessions and center Brendan Haywood, reports the Charlotte Observer: “Sessions, an unrestricted free agent who finished last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, has drawn interest from the Bobcats, an informed source said. Haywood, a center who grew up in Greensboro and played for North Carolina, will reportedly be waived by the Dallas Mavericks under the NBA’s amnesty clause. The Mavericks will swallow the remaining $35 million on Haywood’s salary in order to sign free-agent center Chris Kaman. That would open the door for the Bobcats to offer a homecoming and likely a starting spot. Haywood often spends the off-season in Charlotte, working out frequently at Time Warner Cable Arena. All that could make sign-and-trade discussions between the Bobcats and Indiana Pacers moot. If the Bobcats strike deals with Sessions and eventually Haywood, it’s possible their best course would be rescinding a qualifying offer of about $4 million to point guard D.J. Augustin, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. Regardless of the machinations, it seems unlikely Augustin will continue to be a Bobcat long-term. He turned down a lucrative contract extension last season and the Bobcats considered moving him at the trade deadline. Augustin was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2008 draft. The Bobcats chose him over now-Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez. The Bobcats were prepared to pursue Lopez vigorously this week had the Nets not offered him a maximum, four-year contract. Sessions averaged 9.7 points and 3.6 assists last season with the Lakers after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s known as a capable penetrator, but a suspect jump-shooter. He’d likely back up Kemba Walker, who new coach Mike Dunlap is grooming in an up-tempo offense in Charlotte.”