Celtics general manager Chris Wallace, whose name automatically pops up these days when a team starts interviewing candidates to take charge of its basketball operations, spoke Tuesday with officials from the NBA's expansion franchise in Charlotte.

``It's just the beginning of the process for them, but I thought it went well, and I feel very comfortable with Ed Tapscott,'' Wallace, who has been given permission by his new C's boss, Danny Ainge, said of the Bobcats' chief operating officer.

Wallace has developed a strong association with Tapscott, a former New York Knicks GM. Tapscott has served as a consultant to a number of NBA teams over the last decade.

Bobcats owner Robert Johnson hired Tapscott shortly after the BET founder was awarded ownership of the franchise, which will begin play for the 2004-05 season.

Wallace went into his interview confident that the Bobcats can help themselves at a time when most other teams are attempting to minimize penalties under the luxury tax.

``They draft fourth (overall next June), and then first the following draft,'' said Wallace. ``The expansion process should not prove difficult for them to navigate. Teams do not want to be stuck with a large number of heavy contracts. They only have to take 14 contracts, and after looking at the situation, I believe they can get in and out of that situation fairly well.

``I think this could be a great opportunity. I came away very impressed with the potential that exists there. You're in the heart of basketball country, there's great interest in the college game, and they have a very experienced and savvy leader in Ed Tapscott.''