The Charlotte have acquired the second overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft from the Los Angeles Clippers and will select Clippers forward Pedrag Drobnjak in the Expansion Selection. The Bobcats will send the fourth overall pick and 33rd overall selection to the Clippers.
“We are extremely pleased to be able to move up into the number two spot in the draft," said Bickerstaff. “We are trying to build our team with the best possible players and being able to pick second in the draft exemplifies our commitment to accomplishing that goal. This opportunity was available to us and we are happy to complete the deal.”
The Bobcats will make their historic first draft pick on Thursday, June 24, following the Orlando Magic’s first overall selection. Charlotte was granted the fourth overall selection by the NBA in the team’s Expansion Agreement.
Drobnjak, a 6’11” forward from Serbia & Montenegro, was initially drafted by Washington in the second round (49th overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft, but remained in Yugoslavia and played for the Serbian and Montenegro Team. He spent the first two years of his NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics (2001-02 & 2002-03) before signing with the Clippers on September 28, 2003. In three seasons, Drobnjak has appeared in 207 NBA games with 95 starts and has career averages of 7.7 points, 3.6 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game. He was also a member of the Yugoslavian National Team that took home the gold medal at the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis.
“Predrag Drobnjak adds size and a legitimate shooter to our club,” Bickerstaff said. “His experience in the NBA and internationally will also be a benefit as we construct our team.”
The Bobcats will officially unveil their selections on Tuesday, June 22 in a live television show aired at 7:00 p.m. ET, locally on WJZY-TV UPN46 in Charlotte and nationally on NBATV. The show will also be webcast live on www.BobcatsBasketball.com.
For complete information on the Bobcats Expansion Selection and the 2004 NBA Draft, visit Bobcats Draft Central.