CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Boris Diaw got his wish _ he’s out of Charlotte.
The Bobcats announced Wednesday they’ve waived the veteran forward.
Diaw’s agent said Wednesday morning that his client reached an agreement on a contract buyout that will allow him to sign with another team.
Doug Neustadt said Diaw is leaving Charlotte on good terms but that “losing was tough this year and he really wants to be able to participate on a playoff team.”
The Bobcats have won only seven games this season, worst in the NBA.
Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins had no comment on the move.
Diaw was in the final year of his contract and still owed about $2 million of his original $9 million salary this season. It’s unclear how much money Diaw gave up to leave.
The 29-year-old Diaw had fallen out of favor with coach Paul Silas this season and barely played in the last three weeks, often listed as inactive. He only played twice over the past eight games.
He started 28 games this season and averaged 7.4 points and 5.3 rebounds.
“It was kind of known that Boris wanted to go somewhere else,” said Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson. “Boris has been one of my friends since I got into the league. I wish him the best. He will be great wherever he goes.”
Henderson said even though everyone knew Diaw wanted out, he was never a distraction in the locker room of a divisive presence.
“You have to continue to play with the guys we have,” Henderson said. “After he let it be known he didn’t want to be here anymore, you just kind of have to move on. So that’s what we did.”
Silas did not want to comment on Diaw’s departure.
“I’m not going to say anything about that,” Silas said. “We have to go straight up with who we have and we wish him well.”
However, earlier this month Silas was asked about Diaw’s reduced playing time.
“I like a player who is really committed to not only the team but to himself and then doing the best he can as a player,” Silas said. “Some of the things that would go on, like not shooting the ball, passing all of the time, that doesn’t help us.
“I needed hoops and he could put the ball in the hoop. When that wouldn’t happen, it was very disturbing.”
Silas later added: “I think if he had played all out, the way he should have, it would have been a much, much better club.”
Diaw arrived in Charlotte in December 2008 in a trade along with Raja Bell and Sean Singletary. In return, the Bobcats sent Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley to the Phoenix Suns.
Diaw had an immediate impact in Charlotte and started in a franchise-record 258 games before being benched on March 6. He never seemed to have the same production after Larry Brown was fired and Silas was brought in to replace him as coach.
By agreeing to a buyout before Friday, Diaw is eligible to compete in the playoffs.
Neustadt said Diaw has a couple of options and he’ll likely sign with another team once the terms of the buyout are approved by the league office.
One possible landing spot is San Antonio, because Spurs guard Tony Parker is a friend and teammate on the French national team.
Silas said he’s not sure if the Bobcats will immediately fill Diaw’s roster spot.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.