Bobcats forward Emeka Okafor chose not to sign a contract extension with the team by the Wednesday, October 31 deadline, meaning that Okafor will be a restricted free agent following the conclusion of the 2007-08 season.

By not signing Okafor to an extension, the Bobcats will have the choice to match any other NBA team's contract offer for Okafor next offseason. Okafor could also sign a one-year qualifying offer and then become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season.

“Player contracts are very difficult to get done when there is no posturing," Bobcats Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bernie Bickerstaff said. "Our offer was commensurate with our respect for Emeka as a basketball player, his overall character and what he brings to the Charlotte community. We both had different ideas on economic value, but we both agree that neither were insulting.”