One of the Bobcats beat writers, Rick Bonnell, argues that there is no value in amnestying DeSagana Diop this year.
http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2011/11/tap-the-brakes-on-amnesty-for-diop.htmlAnd after looking at the Bobcats salary situation and given their bleak free agent prospects -- nobody will want to join the Bobcats unless they are being vastly overpaid. Squad is too weak -- I have to agree with him. Bobcats shouldn't amnesty Diop, at least not this year. There is no added benefit.
They also note that Diop has played for Paul Silas before and played well. Silas had planned on using Diop in his rotation after joining the Bobcats last year but Diop's injury took him out of the equation. Pretty likely Silas will want to keep Diop around for 15-20mpg as a backup center.
Anyway ... so it looks like Diop is out of the equation.
Unfortunately so, Diop would have made a lovely minimum contract third string center. Excellent size, physical toughness, really good defense (well assuming he can recover from that injury). Pity.
----------------------------------------------
Two other Bobcats tidbits
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/12/01/2816901/center-is-bobcats-most-pressing.htmlAnother Bobcats article also talks about their need at center and that Diop is the only center currently on the roster.
(1) Perhaps more interestingly though, they talk about Kwame Brown as someone who might be out of their price range. That signing him to a substantial contract doesn't make sense for a rebuilding team. And that he might want to leave. They are not sure whether they can keep hold of him.
(2) Also notes that Biyombo's trial in Spain (suing for break of contract, trying to join NBA this year) doesn't start until December 19th. So there will probably be no resolution there until after FA ends. They'll likely have to plan their roster without him just in case he can't over this season.