April 21, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Luis Scola (4) shoots a free throw against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

I’m not a fan of those Bleacher Report “(Insert team name here) Must Do This!” type of posts, but if there was ever a time for one of those articles, it’s now. The Charlotte Bobcats MUST grab Luis Scola off waivers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are interested, as are the Dallas Mavericks. Both of those teams already have quality power forwards. The Charlotte Bobcats do not (no offense to Bismack Biyombo and Byron Mullens. Nice off the bench, not in the starting lineup). The Mavs have $4 million left to work with this off season, so if Charlotte or Cleveland wants him, they’re going to have to put in a bid above that number. Cleveland might put in a $5 million bid, so what’s the harm in the Bobcats going with $5.5 million or $6 million?

That money for a guy who’s a career 17 point, 9 rebound a game player is chump change. It’s also a necessary risk for a team who could lose out on every single PF free agent they’ve targeted this off season (Hickson, Jamison, Humphries etc).

Carl Landry is available, but he’s an unrestricted free agent, and can pick the team he wants to go to.

The Bobcats need to talk to Antwan Jamison and tell him he’s their guy, but if he can’t commit, they’re going to focus their attention on landing Scola.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Jeffrey Taylor look like they’ll be solid NBA players, Ben Gordon will be instant offense off the bench behind Gerald Henderson, and Ramon Sessions was a nice pickup at PG. If Charlotte can get Scola and sign a true starting center (Brendan Haywood), the Queen City will see competitive basketball next year.

April 21, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Luis Scola (4) drives the baseline against Golden State Warriors forward Jeremy Tyler (3) during the second quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

Kris Humphries and the Nets are close to agreeing on a new contract, Elton Brand was picked up by the Mavericks off waivers and JJ Hickson was signed by Portland. The Charlotte Bobcats still don’t have a proven power forward on their roster.

There are still two options available for the Bobcats (although I think Humphries was the best long-ish term option) in Antwan Jamison and Luis Scola.

Jamison is an unrestricted free agent being pursued by his hometown Bobcats, the Lakers, Nets and a few others. Scola was waived by Houston, a team trying to clear enough space to take on Dwight Howard and essentially the rest of his Magic teammates.

Brand was picked up off waivers for just $2.1 million. The Bobcats are in position to bid significantly more than that on Scola, if they really want him.

If they don’t, the ‘Cats will rely on Jamison choosing to play at home over playing for a title.

I’d go for the sure thing and make an unbeatable bid on Scola, who is a skilled big guy. He scored 15.5 points, dished two assists and grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game last season for the Rockets.

Jamison would be great, but Charlotte shouldn’t wait on him and risk being forced to start Byron Mullens, Bismack Biyombo or, God forbid, Tyrus Thomas at power forward next year.