Charlotte Bobcats coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff liked what he heard Thursday from free agent Bonzi Wells.

However, the Bobcats haven't made a contract offer to Wells, a guard-forward, and probably wouldn't until Melvin Ely's status is resolved.

"Our issue first is to work things out for Mel," said Bickerstaff, who's looking into sign-and-trade options for Ely, a restricted free agent. In the alternative, Ely could sign a one-season qualifying offer of about $3 million to stay with the Bobcats."