Al Jefferson is taking his talents to Charlotte (Big Al signs 3 year deal with Bobcats)

This is from yesterday, but at least wanted to touch on it. Al Jefferson is taking his talents to..Charlotte?

Yup. Charlotte.

Big Al agreed to terms on a 3 year, $41 million deal with MJ's Bobcats yesterday (Jefferson also has an opt-out after year 2), and will now provide a low post presence and veteran leadership to a team in dire need of both.

In some ways, of course this is a money grab. After all it's not feasible to make a realistic argument that Charlotte provides the best shot at Big Al winning his first playoff game since Game 6 of the Celtics/Pacers Eastern Conference Quarterfinal in 2005. (Jefferson is 0-5 in playoff games since).

However the Bobcats are starting to finally put a decent squad on the court each night.

As of now they'll run the following line-up out there:

PG Kemba Walker
SG Ben Gordon
SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
PF Cody Zeller
C Al Jefferson

Sure that team is awful on the defensive end, but hey, there's legitimate offensive talent there! They are also looking to re-sign Gerald Henderson and have Ramon Sessions to come off the bench as well.

They also have the expiring contracts and draft picks to potentially add more talent to their Walker/MKG/Zeller/Jefferson core.

So yea, it's a money grab. But if no big market teams were offering him a great deal, there's no shame in taking this deal. After all, Big Al is only 28, and will be just 31 when this deal expires (and 30 when he can use his opt-out clause after year 2) So it's not like he's locking himself into a decade of losing in Charlotte.

Congrats on the payday AJ. Thanks again for KG!

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