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NBA Discussion (Official Thread)

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MililaniBuckeye said:
Two different leagues, two different salary systems. Baseball is the same in that the minor leagues' salaries don't count against MLB salary caps.
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Unless I am mistaken I don't believe that baseball has a salary cap. That certainly would be an interesting consideration from the business end.
 
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We're really going to have a lockout because Isiah Thomas is a lousy general manager? Really?

Also, a little bit about the age limit in here....


The regular season ended a week ago, but there's still no agreement. <OFFER>

Optimism that the league will avoid a lockout July 1 has waned over the past few weeks as the NBA and NBPA have come to an impasse on two key issues – contract length and an age limit.

The league has been pushing to reduce the maximum number of years a contract can be guaranteed from seven years down to four seasons for players who are re-signing with their own team. For players signing with a new team, the league wants the number reduced from six to three years.

The players have been proposing a reduction of one year for each veteran player-signing scenario. In February, both sides felt confident that they would meet in the middle, compromising at a maximum of five years for players re-signing and four years for players signing with a new team.

However, the owners have held firm to the 4/3 plan, infuriating the union. Hunter feels that such a severe reduction is too large a concession. Owners want contract lengths reduced so that they can manage their payrolls better, have more flexibility to remake their rosters and minimize risks on big contracts. Players are, however, very reluctant to give such lucrative guarantees away and are frustrated because the move mainly protects owners from themselves.

This issue is serious enough that Hunter began recruiting player agents last week, asking them to convince their clients that it's an issue worth risking a lockout over.

The other issue, the 20-year-old age limit, is more symbolic than substantive for both sides. Stern has been pushing for it for years, more as a PR tool than an actual device to improve the game. Sponsors and season ticket holders didn't like the influx of young, unknown high school players into the game (though they sure didn't hesitate to get on LeBron James's bandwagon) and Stern has been determined to make a change.

There's a pretty big split within the union on the issue. The rank-and-file players are willing to concede the issue as long as they get back something of value. In a negotiation like this, the easiest concessions to make are the ones that don't affect anyone currently in the union.

However, union leadership, and Hunter specifically, is strongly opposed to an age limit. Hunter agrees with Jermaine O'Neal that there's a racial element to it, and, according to several agents who were in attendance at a meeting with Hunter last week, Hunter was passionate about fighting it.

While no one believes the age-limit issue ultimately will hold up getting a deal done on either side, it's ruffled enough feathers to put its ultimate passage back into doubt.

Other issues haven't been worked out as well, including raises, the luxury tax threshold and a new rookie scale, but sources on both sides said the deal will likely hinge on working out something on contract lengths. If the two sides can't work something out in the next nine weeks, the owners won't hesitate to lock out the players, hoping that they'll quickly concede. No one on either side wants a protracted lockout that would threaten the NBA season, but owners are not beyond locking the players out for a few months if it helps them get what they need.
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An NBA lockout now gives the AFL the opening to be much bigger in making TV deals. IMO, indoor football is essentially what the NBA is now anyway, and some of the scores are higher than NBA games. Keep up the greed NBA. See NHL and add a small amount of relevance, and that's what you are right now.
 
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Heard David Stern on the Celtics' halftime radio show tonight. He was asked about NBA expansion to other parts of the world. Stern basically said that the NBA believes that the NBDL will be the second-best basketball played in the world, and they want to expand the NBDL to parts of Europe and South America. So, basically, if they allow the NBA to draft 18-year-olds, but won't allow them to play in the prime time until they are 20, we are looking at the allure of going "pro" out of High School to play in Paris or Rio or something. The more that comes out, the crazier the stories are getting. I don't know if many Americans would want to go into a foreign-exchange program like that, but if it means millions of dollars in signing bonuses (a la baseball), it will be a strong enticement. The obvious benefit of this proposal is that the NBA wants to attract a lot of foreign talent to the NBDL, so perhaps there will not be enough room for all of the best American HS players to travel the world. Who knows? I wish it was like the old days, but you can't blame the NBA for taking these steps. I'm sensing the death-knell of collegiate, amateur basketball if the NBA and the Union come to an agreement like this. There is no such thing as amateur basketball among the best players in Europe as far as teenagers goes, and we might not be far behind.
 
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I'm in favor of an age limit merely for the naive thought that kids who think they're going to make the NBA but never will... might have to entertain a much more vital college education (NOT the NBDL) to carry them in life...

For the half dozen exceptions who are penalized... I say "so what".. you'll still going to make more money than you, your family and your grandkids will ever be able to spend... so who cares if you lose a few million by having to wait...
 
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I guess this is where we can put all off season trades, FA signings, and the like in. I was just going to make a thread for the following, but decided that we could make it organized.

ESPN

Raptors deal Villanueva to Bucks for Ford
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<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->Associated Press

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top><!-- begin leftcol --><!-- template inline -->MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks traded point guard T.J. Ford to the Toronto Raptors on Friday night for forward Charlie Villanueva and cash.
<!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------><TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>T.J. Ford</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>
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Point Guard
Milwaukee Bucks

Profile
</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=190 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR class=stathead align=middle><TD align=middle colSpan=6>2006 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR align=right><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">GM</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">PPG</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">RPG</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">APG</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">FG%</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">FT%</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#bcbcb4><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">72</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">12.2</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">4.3</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">6.6</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">.416</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">.754</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->
Ford averaged 12.2 points and a team-high 6.6 assists in 72 games last season following a spinal-cord injury that sidelined him for a season and a half.
"He was an inspiration to all of us when he found the will and strength to fight back from the neck injury he suffered during his rookie season," Bucks general manager Larry Harris said. "We wish him much success in Toronto."
The 6-foot Ford was the No. 8 pick in the 2003 draft.
"We are sorry to see Charlie leave, but getting better comes at a cost," Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said. "T.J. Ford's best attributes, quickness and playmaking, are a perfect fit for our team."
<!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------><TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Charlie Villanueva</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>
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Forward
Toronto Raptors

Profile
</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=190 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR class=stathead align=middle><TD align=middle colSpan=6>2006 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR align=right><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">GM</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">PPG</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">RPG</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">APG</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">FG%</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" width="17%">FT%</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#bcbcb4><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">81</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">13.0</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">6.4</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">1.1</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">.463</TD><TD style="BACKGROUND: #999999">.706</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->
Harris hopes Villanueva will fill the team's need for a power forward to complement 7-foot center Andrew Bogut, the top pick in the 2005 draft.
The 6-foot-11 Villanueva, selected seventh overall in the 2005 draft, averaged 13.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 81 games for the Raptors. The former Connecticut star set Toronto rookie records for points with 48 on March 26 at Milwaukee and rebounds with 18 on April 2 against New Orleans.
"Acquiring Charlie takes care of a primary need we had going into the summer," Harris said. "He's a gifted power forward who knows how to score both inside and outside. ... The outstanding rookie season he had last year is only the beginning of what he's capable of achieving."
<INLINE1>The Bucks, with a revamped roster and Ford as floor leader, reached the playoffs with a 40-42 record last season. It was a 10-game improvement from the previous season when they didn't make the playoffs.
In the playoffs, they lost 4-1 to Detroit in the first round.
On Wednesday, the Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani with the No. 1 pick in the draft. The 6-foot-10 European has drawn comparisons to Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki because of his outside shooting skills. Playing last season for Benetton Treviso in Italy's Lega A, Bargnani shot 37 percent from 3-point range, and the Raptors might have viewed Villanueva as expendable after drafting Bargnani.
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I wanted TJ Ford for the Cavs, but that option is gone. Looks like we are trying to make a strong run for Delonte West, though.
 
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Dispatch

Top players aren’t likely to abandon their teams
Saturday, July 01, 2006
James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CLEVELAND — About 12 hours before the start of free agency this morning at 12:01, LeBron James showed up in Quicken Loans Arena to the surprise of coach Mike Brown and the Cavaliers front office staff.

The team was holding a news conference to introduce rookie draft picks Shannon Brown and Daniel Gibson. No one called James or asked him to be present, but there he was, hiding from reporters in the back of the gym, showing support for his new teammates.

At least for a day, James tried to keep the spotlight on someone else, because he knows this summer the focus will be on his contract status.

James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh, all drafted in 2003, hold the keys to their respective franchises. Entering the final year of their rookie contracts, they are eligible for maximum extensions, and today the teams — Cleveland, Miami, Denver and Toronto, respectively — can present their offers.

James, because he was the top pick of the class, will be offered the highest amount — a five-year deal in the range of $75 million, hinging on the final salary cap numbers next season. The players have from July 12 to Oct. 31, the start of the season, to sign extensions or pursue restricted free agency the following year.

Their decisions will have major ramifications with their respective teams and the balance of power in the NBA.

James wasn’t tipping his hand yesterday.

"It’s up to them (to offer a contract)," he said with a sarcastic smile.
All indications point to the four players staying put.

Wade’s situation should be a no-brainer. He’s coming off a championship season in Miami.

Anthony has been to the playoffs three straight years with Denver and is already the face of the Nuggets. He’ll likely be named captain next season and is seeking more of an active role in team decisions.

Bosh, who has become a star in Canada, told reporters in May that he "can’t wait to sign."

James’ situation is a little more complicated. His $90 million Nike endorsement deal would be worth even more if he played for a bigmarket team. The exposure in cities such as New York, Chicago or Los Angeles also could spur further endorsement opportunities.

Still, James said repeatedly last season that he is happy in Cleveland. He’s a local product with a rare opportunity to spend his entire career — and pursue championships — not far from his hometown of Akron. The Cavs came within one game of advancing to the Eastern Conference finals this year and should be in contention next season.

Cleveland also has made many concessions for James off the court.
The team is in the process of building a multimillion-dollar practice facility in the suburb of Independence, closer to James’ home near Akron. A James friend and business partner, Randy Mims, also travels with the team and was hired last season as a player liaison.

"I feel like we’ve done a lot of things to improve not only the organization and the amenities that come along with it, but the team also," Mike Brown said. "But again, I’m staying out of it. At the end of the day, it’s up to him and his family in terms of the decision-making process and what they want to do. But I’m optimistic about it. I’m not going to bother him about it because it’s a life decision that he has to make. He knows that we love him and we want him here, and it’s a decision he has to make."

The league’s collective bargaining agreement allows a team to exceed the salary cap to re-sign its own free agents once the player has three years’ experience. The rule, known as the Larry Bird exception because Boston was the first team allowed to exceed the cap, to retain Bird, hampered Cleveland last summer in its pursuit of guard Michael Redd.

The Milwaukee Bucks were able to offer Redd an extra year and a whopping $20 million more than the Cavs. Now that rule works to Cleveland’s advantage when it comes to James.

"That rule was basically established so there wouldn’t be as much movement and teams could keep their core group of players around like they did in the olden days, when guys would stay with a team for seven to 10 years," Washington-based agent Andre Colona said. "I think that rule is beneficial for the player and for the team in that it still allows the player to get his market value. But at the same time it tries to keep the core player with a team for a longer time to establish a great fan base."

These players are already well on their way popularitywise. Wade and James ranked first and second in jersey sales for the 2005-06 season, with Anthony finishing ninth.

With so much money involved, there is little precedent for players turning down maximum contracts, but there could be advantages.
The players and their agents hold all the leverage. A player could take another year to think through his options, then sign with his current team next year. With that route, teams could offer a six-year extension instead of five.

If the player still doesn’t sign, the teams could offer a oneyear tender, and the player would become an unrestricted free agent after the 2007-08 season.

Of course, the player would be risking injury.

The NBA is better than most professional sports in terms of keeping stars in one location. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76 ers are recent examples.

Minus a late-career comeback by Michael Jordan with the Washington Wizards, Magic Johnson (Lakers), Bird (Celtics) and Jordan (Chicago Bulls) stayed with the teams that drafted them and established historic rivalries in the 1980s and 1990s. The NBA’s popularity peaked as a result. Starting today, the opportunity is there for the draft class of 2003 to set a similar course. All it would take is a stroke of the pen by each player.
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Terry also agreed to resign. I really wanted him on the Cavs, but after the Mavs got that far-- can't expect him to not go back. Don't give up your hopes on Mike James either. He wants to go back to HOuston, but Dallas is pursuing him as well-- according to hoopshype.com.
 
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