Charlotte, NC – The Charlotte Bobcats officially signed free agent center Al Jefferson on Wednesday.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but according to the Charlotte Observer, Jefferson will make approximately $13.5 million per season in the three-year deal, which includes a player option for 2015-16.
The 6-foot-10 Jefferson averaged 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 78 games with the Utah Jazz last season.
Selected out of high school with the 15th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, the 28-year-old Jefferson has career averages of 16.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists with the Celtics (2004-07), Timberwolves (2007-10) and Jazz (2011-13).
"We are ecstatic to add Al to our roster," Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins said. "He gives us a low post presence that we have not had on our roster and brings a skill set that does not become available very often. He is a veteran leader who helps his teammates get better, but at the same time he is only 28 years old so he can be part of the core of this franchise for several years to come."
The Observer also reported that the Bobcats will use their amnesty clause to waive forward Tyrus Thomas to make room for Jefferson under the salary cap.
Thomas, who had two seasons and more than $18 million remaining on a five-year contract he signed in July of 2010, averaged career lows of 4.8 points and 2.3 rebounds over 26 games in a disappointing 2012-13 campaign.
Additionally, Charlotte inked fourth-overall pick Cody Zeller. Over 36 games with the Indiana Hooisers last season , the seven-footer averaged 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
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