Boozer Hints at Staying, How will that affect PF Market?

umm .. Didnt Booxer say the same thing about Cleveland?

I think Utah left him walk and uses Milsap in that role.

Regarding Lee. Would like to see him accept the Qualifying offer as a sign of his commitment to stay in NYC long term.

Donnie should not blink until Lee’s agent (and Nate’s for that matter) come back with an offer sheet.

I talked about that Q offer a while ago and agents won’t let it happen based on the market and Ben Gordon’s situation.

http://web.sny.tv/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090403&content_id=1497208&oid=36320&vkey=18

The Gordon situation was a little different in that he rejected a 10 mil per year offer from Chicago. An incredibly bad decision on his (and his agents) part. I dont think he had any other offers on the table at the time.

If Donnie JUST puts the Qualifiers out there it is incumbent on agent to get an offer sheet and then let Donnie weigh that against other options.

Were I Donnie I would DEFINITELY look for a 20% discount from the outside team offer sheet as a starting point. (assuming the Offer sheet is in line and not super exorbitant)

Look, Donnie has to use whatever leverage he has to get the cheapest deal done. You know what some one said (I think Branch Rickey?)

“I came in last place with you I can come in last without you.”

Donnies only leverage is the New York Market and the fact that Lee and Nate realize the marketing advantage of being here. Negotiating on a long term contract with either would be fool hardy and bidding against yourself. Both realize this is a business and if they want to be in this market for ancillary reasons (whether marketing or personal) then they have to contribute to the cause and leave something significant on the table.

If the market is as poor as some say and there are few if any offers perhaps accepting the Qualifying offer, getting some insurance coverage on a career threatening injury and reentering the market when the economy is presumably a little rosier in 2010 may be the best thing for all parties.

You’re underestimating agent’s influence. No chance that happens again.

do i think Lee will reject a NYK multi year offer and play for the Qualifier as Gordon did?

No.

But I think, as I wrote, that Donnie has a few cards of his own to play. Agents dont make the offers.

Do you not think Lee (or Nate separately) would accept a discounted offer to play in NYC? If no then that really goes against everything both players have been saying publicly. Which is fine but will ultimately make them look bad. Richer but definitely leave a bad taste in the mouths of New Yorkers.

I think I can say that most fans expect both players to accept a discount to stay in New York.

Tommy –
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are you saying that the Agents wont let either take a discount to stay in NYC? Sounds Scott Boris like. (although I believe he has done that on one or two occasions)

I think Nate and Lee reject a discount if they get offered a possible starting gig on a playoff team.

this is the chance for both players to get paid. You may think they have another contract coming, but agents can’t let their clients think that way. I’m saying Lee may see an 8 million dollar- 3 or 4 year deal from another team then see a 6.5 from the knicks and take it.

But I can’t see playing for the Q offer when Lee has a pretty much guaranteed 30 million on the table.

Can’t see it.

I think Tommy is right here. Why would Lee take a qualifying offer this summer and the become a free agent in a strong market next off-season? He will be one of the top free agents this summer. In 2010, he might not be in the top 7 / 8.

Gordon turned down a long-term offer last year, which was dumb. But this summer he should get a good deal because he will be one of the best free agents this year.

I am curious to see where Boozer lands this summer. He can really propel a lot of teams. The Heat, Pistons, Nets, Grizzlies… just to name a few. He likely won’t go to Memphis, but that would be a good fit for him. And Memphis has the money to throw at him.

I dont Lee rejecting the money on the table, but the difference is that a year later you not only are hoping the economy is in a little better shape, but more importantly, you have tons of teams clearing cap space for the 2010 free agent class. There are going to be tons of teams with cap space, there are more teams with cap space than there are premiere free agents. Some teams are going to end up over paying in reactionary moves. 2010 is a good year to be a free agent. Especially if I’m David Lee and I know I am going to put up double doubles all year in dantoni land.

thats feasible and in line with what i said.

my point was that if I were DW I would not negotiate past the Qualifier unless Lee or Nate got an offer sheet.

I dont believe Lee will accept a “discount” to keep playing in NY
His agent will explain him the importance of GUARANTEED money
If Boozer stays put, Detroit may make run at him

Tommy, what is the rule on contract length ? Cant NY offer 1year longer deal to Lee compared to other teams ?
if so, that would help offering the same guaranteed money with a lower starting salary ? and offer the player an opportunity to benefit from NY market ?

the Bird rights team (Us) can offer up to 6 years. Any offer Sheet team can go 5 but that applies to Unrestricted Free Agents.

… meaning that we can “match” a 5-year deal starting at 10M$ with a 6-year starting at 7,5 M$ in terms of guaranted money
with a player option for the last two years for example, in case David becomes an all-star player (which I guess everybody doubts) entitling him to max-contract money

what worries me is that I understand it will be difficult to trade David before 2010 if we re-sign him this summer … it may close some trade options.

J-Knick -

We have to match the same annual compensation not total package value.

to expand a bit. We can offer Lee or Nate a more valuable total package then the offer sheet team. Which would be an incentive for Lee to accept a sign and trade rather than a straight signed offer sheet. we can add another year on the existing 5 year maximum deal and include up to 10.5% pay raises vs 8 for the offer sheet team.

In matching salaries for a sign and trade we only have to match up on the year one comp.

Of course the offer sheet team has to agree to the expanded deal. But if they like the player that shouldnt be an issue. It could be but shouldnt.

And when we match the deal it HAS TO BE year by year so a shrewed offer sheet team can structure an offer with a higher second year knowing that we want to maintain our cap space for 2010/11. This would make it more painful for Donnie to match the offer sheet and retain Lee or Nate.

OK, thanks BiggieSmalls

by “matching” I meant offering a package BEFORE any offer sheet is signed, with the same global package but taking benefit from the bird rights : I guess Lee and his agent, should they receive an offer from another team, will go and see Donnie before signing it to show what David could be getting. That’s when Donnie could come up with a solution like this.

I imagine these kind of things depend highly on the relationships between agents and GMs !