CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -Guard Matt Carroll and the Charlotte Bobcats have come to terms on a six-year contract, a person close to the negotiations said Wednesday.
The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of league rules preventing contract announcements before July 11, said Carroll is expected to sign the deal when he returns from a trip to China.
Carroll, signed by Charlotte out of the NBA’s developmental league midway through the 2004-05 season, quickly became a key contributor. A 3-point specialist, he averaged nine points in 25 games to close that season, then 7.6 points the following year.
Last season, Carroll averaged a career-high 12.1 points and shot 42 percent from 3-point range, moving into the starting lineup late in the season.
Carroll, who was undrafted out of Notre Dame, was cut by Portland, San Antonio and Golden State early in his career. But his game blossomed while playing for Roanoke in the NBDL. He averaged more than 20 points a game before he was signed by Charlotte.
Due to his humble beginnings, Carroll said late last season that he wanted the security of a long-term deal. Carroll received some interest from other teams, but the Bobcats were the only team that could have offered him a six-year contract, the maximum length allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.
The 6-foot-6 Carroll will face more competition for playing time next season after the Bobcats acquired fellow shooting guard Jason Richardson in a draft night trade. But part-owner Michael Jordan had said they wanted to retain Carroll to keep depth at the position.
The Bobcats’ major offseason concern remains unsettled. Forward Gerald Wallace, the team’s top scorer last season, remains unsigned. Vice president of basketball operations Bernie Bickerstaff and Wallace’s agent, Rob Pelinka, have been in talks since early Sunday.
Wallace has received inquiries from at least seven other teams.
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