When the Charlotte Bobcats finished last year's NBA campaign with a respectable 44-38 record and made it to the playoffs, it looked like the franchise from North Carolina was finally back on track. Yet, while Cats' fans were hoping for the team to further improve during the off-season, Charlotte's front-office made a series of questionable moves that could lead to a severe setback in 2010-11.

Firstly, the franchise opted to resign Tyrus Thomas for no less than $40 million over the next five years. Where as Thomas is an athletic young forward who has shown that he can play, $8 million a year is certainly too much for a role player who might now even be in the starting line up. In 2009-10, Tyrus Thomas averaged 9.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and and 1.2 steals in just 22 minutes per contest for the Charlotte Bobcats and Chicago Bulls. Considering that GM Rod Higgins decided to let starting center Tyson Chandler leave for little more than some cap relief it appears to be a bit odd that the franchise is willing to overpay for the 6-10 power forward at the same time.

Another bold move by the Bobcats was the decision to let starting point guard Raymond Felton go to the New York Knicks without acquiring a suitable replacement. Sure, Felton might not be an All-Star but he still did a solid job putting up 12.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. In his absence the undersized combo guard D.J. Augustin might be forced to step into the starting lineup which as of now appears to be a complete gamble. Likewise, Charlotte also signed Shaun Livingston to a two year deal worth approximately $7 million. Although the tall 6-7 point guard has shown that he is a solid NBA player, multiple knee injuries may indicate that he might never be the player again he used to be. After all, over the past three years Shaun Livingston appeared in just 48 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.

You can watch all games of the Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards right here on www.watchlivenba.com, the home of NBA live streaming.