Bobcats management and Gerald Wallace's agent couldn't come to an agreement Thursday, so coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff expects Wallace to play for the one-year qualifying offer. That offer -- for about $2 million this season -- would make Wallace an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2006.

Wallace turned down what one source described as a three-year guarantee worth about $16 million.

"We're at a stalemate. And as far as value, we think we're fair," Bickerstaff said late Thursday.

"I would assume he'll play for the qualifying offer. Our message was very consistent: We like Gerald, we want him on our basketball team, and if he reaches the status they say he is, we'll pay him well."

Wallace's agent, Rob Pelinka, confirmed to the Observer that the Bobcats didn't improve on their previous offer during Thursday's meeting. He said they're disappointed, and now Wallace must consider the alternatives: Playing for the one-year qualifier or shopping his services to a team willing to sign Wallace to an offer sheet.