When he was drafted with the 12th overall pick back in 2009, the Charlotte Bobcats had high hopes that shooting guard Gerald Henderson would be an impact player for their basketball club. Three years later and Henderson has done more than enough to entice the Bobcats to keep him around for at least one more season.
The Bobcats have decided to exercise their team option for a fourth year on Henderson’s rookie contract. With that, the Bobcats have ensured that they will have their young guard around at least until the end of the 2012-2013 season.
Now that the Bobcats have exercised their option, Henderson will receive $3.1 million next year in his fourth season in the NBA. That also opens the door for further negotiations to keep Henderson in Charlotte for even longer.
“Gerald embodies the basketball culture we have created here of putting guys on the floor who work hard at their craft, have a passion for the game and are willing to take advantage of the resources afforded to them here in Charlotte,” Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins said of Henderson. “He deserves this and we look forward to watching him grow as a player.”
So far this season, Henderson has started all 18 games for the Bobcats and has emerged as one of the offensive leaders. During that time, he has averaged 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. In the last six games for the Bobcats, Henderson has reached double digits in scoring, including three games of 20-plus points.
Henderson’s career averages currently stand at 8.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in 129 total games.
Despite his best efforts, the Bobcats have stumbled out of the gates this season and are off to a 3-15 start that has them sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. If they hope to dig themselves out of that hole anytime soon, they’ll have to continue putting the ball in Henderson’s hands and making sure that he stays involved in the offensive game plan.
Gil Alcaraz IV is a life-long NBA fan who has followed the Bobcats since their inaugural 2004 season. For more, follow him on Twitter.
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Gotta run!.
