The Charlotte Bobcats have announced today that Brendan Haywood has been claimed off of waivers from the Dallas Mavericks after the big man was the team's amnesty candidate this season. Rod Higgins released the announcement today that the Bobcats won the claim since they are the first team in the order to claim any player placed on waivers given their league-worst record in 2011.

An 11-year NBA veteran, the 7-0 Haywood has played in 733 career games for the Wizards and Mavericks, with 531 starts. He has career averages of 7.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 23.7 minutes. His career field goal percentage of .534 ranks seventh among active players and 28th in NBA history.

Haywood was a member of Dallas' 2011 NBA Championship team, and has appeared in 53 career playoff games, averaging 6.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, while shooting .564 from the field.

The move brings Haywood home near his alma mater at UNC.

For all the latest news and notes on the Mavericks free agency plans, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas story-stream as well as Mavs Moneyball.