Posted on Sat, Mar. 01, 2008

The decision to cut Jeff McInnis on Friday was about the Charlotte Bobcats finding out once and for all what kind of point guard Raymond Felton is.

Coach Sam Vincent said cutting McInnis places the focus on Felton at the position over the last 25 games. Felton has switched much of this season between the point and shoot-guard positions.

Vincent said McInnis -- a Charlottean and former North Carolina Tar Heel -- didn't ask for his release, although the Bobcats' decision to cut him allows for the possibility he could land on a playoff team.

McInnis had to be waived by midnight tonight to be eligible for a post-season roster.

Sources say there was no buyout involved in the cut and that Bobcats management had talked to McInnis about waiving him for about a week. He was playing on a one-season contract for the veteran minimum, costing the Bobcats about $770,000.

It was made clear in those discussions that his playing time would diminish as the Bobcats use Felton and Earl Boykins more at the point.

McInnis, a 10-year veteran, started 26 of 54 games, averaging 26 minutes. His agent, Steve Kauffman, told the Observer McInnis left with no hard feelings.

"In the end somebody had to make a decision and Sam and Rod (Higgins, the Bobcats general manager) were very fair with Jeff," Kauffman said.

Kauffman wouldn't discuss possible destinations for McInnis, but two informed sources say Dallas and Golden State might have interest.