Bobcats reach deal with PG Livingston

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Shaun Livingston suffered what was widely considered a career-ending knee injury playing against Charlotte in 2007.

Just over three years later, he's joining the Bobcats to continue his comeback and help plug their hole at point guard.

"Yes," agent Henry Thomas said, "how ironic."

Thomas confirmed on Wednesday his client was headed to Charlotte but didn't provide financial figures. Yahoo! Sports reported it was a two-year deal worth $7 million.

"A good get," Bobcats coach Larry Brown said in a brief phone interview.

The 6-foot-7 Livingston is a big, versatile point guard who would seem to fit into Brown's system if his left knee is fully recovered. And Charlotte needs the help after it made no attempt to re-sign last season's starter, Raymond Felton, because of salary-cap woes.

When Felton signed with New York this week, D.J. Augustin was the only point guard left on the roster.

It remains unclear if the Bobcats will seek another playmaker. Brown was tight-lipped, saying only the team has "a lot of work to do" after Tuesday's trade that sent Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca to Dallas.

The Bobcats got Erick Dampier from the Mavericks, whose $13 million nonguaranteed contract could be used as a chip in a future deal.

The 24-year-old Livingston's career seemed over when he tore three ligaments and dislocated his kneecap in a game against Charlotte on Feb. 26, 2007 when he was with the Los Angeles Clippers. Livingston, who skipped college and was the No. 4 pick in the 2004 draft, missed an entire season and played in just 12 games with Oklahoma City and Miami when he returned in 2008-09.

Livingston played in 36 games last season with the Thunder and Wizards. He started 18 games to finish last season with Washington and averaged 9.2 points and 4.5 assists, which created some interest around the league.

Livingston's size could contrast well with the 6-foot Augustin, who struggled some last season.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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