The Charlotte Bobcats, in need of a fill-in point guard, have been in discussions with the New Jersey Nets, possibly about acquiring Jeff McInnis, the Charlotte Observer is reporting.

Coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff confirmed on Friday morning that the two teams have talked. Bickerstaff drafted McInnis, a former North Carolina point guard, when Bickerstaff was with the Denver Nuggets. Bickerstaff later brought McInnis to Washington when he was coaching the Wizards.

McInnis hasn't played since January. The Nets told him he wasn't welcome to attend training camp, and the team has made efforts to buy out his contract.

The Nets' logical target in this deal would be power forward Melvin Ely. New Jersey needs a low-post scorer, after center Nenad Krstic was lost for the season with a severe knee injury.

McInnis makes $3.6 million this season and Ely about $3.3 million. The Bobcats can absorb the difference because they're below the salary cap. But logically the Bobcats would ask for other compensation from New Jersey: Either a draft pick or cash (the league allows a maximum of $3 million per transaction).

The Bobcats need help at the point, after Brevin Knight was diagnosed with a torn abdominal muscle. Knight had surgery Friday and is expected to miss four to six weeks. In Knight's absence, the Bobcats use Derek Anderson.