Restricted free agency is only getting tougher, and Bobcats guard Raymond Felton is the latest to figure that out. After discussing a long-term deal last week, talks between Felton and Charlotte have broken down, and multiple sources now say that rather than continuing negotiations, Felton will simply sign the one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer put forth by the Bobcats.
That will allow Felton to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, putting another name into the already deep pool of 2010 free-agent players. In the meantime, Felton will look to boost his value with a good season.