The 2007–08 Charlotte Bobcats season was the 18th season of NBA basketball in Charlotte in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and their fourth as the Charlotte Bobcats.
Charlotte finished 32–50 for the season and didn't qualify for the playoffs. Despite a frenzy of offseason moves, including trading for Jason Richardson and hiring new coach Sam Vincent, the Bobcats were unable to build on their successful 33–49 season in 2007. As a result, Vincent was relieved of his duties soon after the season ended,[1] and replaced by veteran hall of fame coach Larry Brown three days later.[2]
On May 22, the Bobcats were assigned the 8th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft Lottery after finishing 33–49 the previous season.[3][4] With their lottery pick, Charlotte selected power forward Brandan Wright out of North Carolina. The Bobcats then traded Wright for Golden State Warriors swingman Jason Richardson and the draft rights to Golden State's second round pick Jermareo Davidson (Alabama, 36th overall). Later in the first round, Charlotte selected Jared Dudley out of Boston College with the 22nd pick.
The Bobcats lost the services of both Sean May and Adam Morrison prior to the season. After an exploratory procedure, it was determined that May needed season-ending microfracture surgery on his right knee.[5] Morrison tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on October 20, 2007, in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers.[6]
The Bobcats also waived team veteran Brevin Knight who was formerly the starting point guard but lost the job to Charlotte draft pick Raymond Felton. On December 14, 2007, the Bobcats said goodbye to original starting center Primož Brezec, and 2007 Second Team NBA All-Rookie selection Wálter Herrmann, trading them to the Detroit Pistons.
The Bobcats' most notable move in the off-season was the retirement of head coach Bernie Bickerstaff.[7] Bickerstaff remained in the organization by becoming Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. The Bobcats replaced him with Sam Vincent, former coach of the NBA Development League's Fort Worth Flyers.[8] To complement Vincent, the organization hired assistants Dell Curry and Paul Mokeski to the coaching staff. Assistant coach John Outlaw was moved from his position to Player Programs/Director of Pro Player Personnel.[9] The rest of the front office has been a key issue for the Bobcats during the 2007 offseason. Rod Higgins was hired on May 31, 2007, as general manager, assuming the same role he had with the Golden State Warriors.[10] Phil Ford and Lee Rose were tapped to join Vincent's coaching staff on June 6, 2007.[9] Buzz Peterson was hired from Coastal Carolina University, where he served as head basketball coach, to become director of player personnel on June 13, 2007.[11]
*Total for entire season including previous team(s)
The Bobcats were involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season: