Melvin Ely is on the verge of signing with the Bobcats. The Bobcats need help inside after losing Kwame Brown to Golden State and with DeSagana Diop well overweight. Ely is not a particularly appealing option, but he does have some familiarity with the team after previously spending time in Charlotte.

Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated reports that Melvin Ely is expected to sign a contract in China at some point in the next week. Ely was seldom used at the end of the Denver bench last season, and now he'll be the next member of the Denver team from last year to head to the CBA. Ely will J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler as Nuggets who have signed in China when his deal becomes official.