Melvin Ely has been attempting to facilitate a sign-and-trade deal throughout the summer.

?We?re having conversations with his agent (Dan Fegan) right now,? Bickerstaff said. ?They?re still pursuing a sign-and-trade deal.?

Ely has reportedly drawn interest from the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns this summer, but both teams have retreated from their pursuit.

Tracy McGrady said Wednesday he feels 100 percent health-wise and is pushing hard to get Bonzi Wells to come to Houston.

Wells' new agent, Merle Scott, said he expected Wells to make a decision by Friday. The Rockets, Nuggets, Heat and Bobcats are the leading interested teams, but the Rockets have an edge because of what they can offer both Wells and his old team, the Sacramento Kings.

While the Heat and Nuggets are right up against the luxury tax and thus would only acquire Wells through a sign-and-trade for another player, Houston could offer a sign-and-trade for a second-round pick and a trade exception worth $4.2 million left over from the deal that sent Moochie Norris to the Hornets last season. The Kings have said they do not want to take back additional salary that would put them above the luxury-tax threshold, and getting even a little something for Wells would be better than getting nothing.

McGrady hinted that he had pressed his pitch to Wells as recently as Wednesday morning, and said a decision from the nine-year veteran seemed imminent.

The 19-year-old daughter of Hornets coach Byron Scott was arrested on a misdemeanor complaint of marijuana possession.

Londen B. Scott was arrested Sunday at a site where homes were being constructed, police spokeswoman Glynda Chu said Tuesday.

The complaint is expected to be filed in municipal court. Chu she did not have information on how quickly Scott was released from jail or information about bail.

The Oklahoman first reported the arrest on its Web site.

The Charlotte Bobcats and Phoenix Suns recently were having serious discussions about a sign-and-trade deal involving 6-foot-10 power forward/center Melvin Ely.

The Suns have reportedly cooled on the deal.

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."

Bonzi Wells, the highest profile free-agent still available, could make a decision by early next week about where he will play this season.

Wells met with Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien this month. Houston, Charlotte and Miami also are interested.

Free-agent swingman Bonzi Wells will visit the Charlotte Bobcats today, to meet the coaching staff and discuss the possibility of signing here, coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff confirmed Wednesday.

Merle Scott, the Miami-based agent for Bonzi Wells, said Wednesday he has spoken to the Heat regarding the free-agent guard.

Wells, who turned down a five-year, $36 million offer to return to the Kings earlier this offseason only to have it pulled off the table, recently switched agents and began exploring his remaining limited options.

"We've spoken to the Heat, yes," Scott said. "And we will talk again."

Raymond Felton is optimistic about the talent that the Charlotte Bobcats have assembled; so much so that he is predicting a playoff berth for the club.

"It's playoffs. Definitely," Felton said during a news conference to promote the Bobcats' Oct. 17 exhibition with the Washington Wizards at North Carolina, where he played in college. "We have that type of talent. And I have that much confidence in my team."

Is Bonzi Wells in the Charlotte Bobcats' future?

Bobcats coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff confirmed Tuesday he plans discussions with Wells' representatives sometime this week to gauge the free-agent swingman's interest in signing with the team, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer is reporting.

Wells averaged 13.6 points and 7.7 rebounds last season for the Sacramento Kings. He's also been linked to the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat.

Since scoring at the wing positions is a clear need for the Bobcats, Wells' skill set would be a good fit. Also, the Bobcats are several million under the salary cap, so they could seemingly make a competitive offer.

The greater question is a roster spot. The Bobcats already have 15 players under contract, plus a qualifying offer of about $3 million to restricted free agent Melvin Ely. Bickerstaff indicated that resolving Ely's situation probably takes precedence over any other move between now and the start of training camp Tuesday in Wilmington.