Le Basketbawl

The Charlotte Bobcats are no closer to signing restricted free agent Emeka Okafor than they were on July 1. New Bobcats head coach Larry Brown has said that signing the big man is a priority for Charlotte in order for his team to have any chance of contending. Friday the Associated Press reported Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins feels that they will eventually come to terms with the the former Connecticut player. Okafor was the Bobcats first round pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, second selection overall. Even though the team and the player are nowhere near reaching a deal, Higgins believes it will be accomplished. Higgins told reporters “As we’ve repeatedly stated, we want Emeka Okafor back on our basketball team. We’re going to continue to have that hope that we will have a resolution and go forward. I’m not going to comment on the negotiations per se. But we’re maintaining that we’re going to get a deal done.” Okafor averaged 13.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, per game last season for Charlotte.