Charlotte Bobcats Expansion Selection Set For June 22

The Charlotte Bobcats will begin assembling their inaugural season roster on Tuesday, June 22, with the Charlotte Expansion Selection. The 2004 NBA Draft for incoming rookies is Thursday, June 24, in New York, with the Bobcats owning the second overall pick after acquiring the selection in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.

“June will be an exciting month for our organization as we assemble our inaugural roster,” said Ed Tapscott, Bobcats president and chief operating officer. “We expect to make both our Expansion Draft and the NBA Draft events that all our fans in the Charlotte region can feel a part of.”

“Our basketball operations staff has been evaluating talent throughout the NBA this season, in addition to the minor leagues, colleges, high schools and international leagues, preparing extensively for both the Expansion Draft and the rookie draft,” said Bernie Bickerstaff, Bobcats general manager and head coach. “We are excited to begin the process of building our team and look forward to the many options we will have surrounding both of the Expansion Draft and the NBA Draft.”

Charlotte received lists from each of the 27 teams not competing in the NBA Finals 10 days prior to the scheduled Expansion Selection (June 12) and those from the competing teams in the Finals within two days of the conclusion of the Finals. Team lists designated a maximum of eight protected players for that team’s players under contract or restricted free agents for the 2004-05 NBA season. The unprotected players are eligible for selection by the Bobcats, who will draft a minimum of 14 players from NBA rosters.

The Bobcats will play their inaugural season in 2004-05 at the Charlotte Coliseum before moving to Charlotte’s new Uptown Arena beginning with the 2005-06 NBA season.