Bee: Hart creates buzz among fans, players

[VF21]

http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/109583.html

Hart creates a buzz among fans, players
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:39 am PST Thursday, January 18, 2007

TORONTO-There are, in light of the Kings' recent slide, bigger team issues to be discussed.

And as one Kings fan commented on an Internet site, "This is like complaining about the cleanliness of a restroom on the Titanic."

But two days after Jason Hart's agent, Bill Neff, complained to The Bee's Marty McNeal about the Kings' treatment of his player, the situation continued to spark discussion among fans in Sacramento and with the team in Toronto. Neff even called KHTK (1140 AM) on Tuesday evening when show host and TV commentator Grant Napear criticized Hart and the agent.

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie was interviewed on the show before Neff.

Hart, who told The Bee in mid-November that Neff had requested a trade from Petrie, said Wednesday he backs his agent's actions and simply wants a chance to play for a team that wants him.

"That's just my guy trying to keep me afloat," Hart said of Neff.

As Neff disclosed during his radio exchange, the Detroit Pistons offered Ronald "Flip" Murray for Hart. But whereas Hart is in the final year of a contract that pays him $1.68 million, Murray is being paid $1.75 million this season and $1.89 million if he exercises his player option next year. The Kings, Neff said on the show, didn't do the deal because Murray's contract had a season remaining.

"(Flip's second year) was low money, not like $10 million," said Hart, who has played in only 12 games this season. "I'm in a tough spot, but what made me feel good is that somebody called (about) me. I just want an opportunity. If I can't get an opportunity, I respect that. I'm not crying for minutes. I'm actually just trying to get out of here, you know what I mean?"

Keeping up with the Joneses -- In the early weeks of the NBA season, Toronto looked to have received the better end of a deal that didn't go down. That's not the case lately.

Kings swingman and then-free agent John Salmons reneged on his deal with the Raptors during the offseason, and Toronto signed guard Fred Jones as a result of Salmons' decision.

While Salmons had a slow start with the Kings, Jones made a habit out of scoring in double digits and even scored a season-high 23 points Dec. 20. But in the past eight games, Jones has played a combined 20 minutes and has not played four times. Salmons, meanwhile, has become a reliable reserve who has scored 20-plus points four times and become a defensive specialist against some of the league's tougher wing players.

About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.

 

[VF21]

I hope Jason Hart never steps on the court in the uniform of the Sacramento Kings again.

This guy acts like he's being held at gunpoint against his will by the Kings while all the time neglecting to mention he exercised his player option to stay this summer.

"I'm actually just trying to get out of here, you know what I mean?"

Oh, yeah, Jason. We know exactly what you mean. And I, for one, would be willing to help you pack. We got you for a second-round draft pick. Unfortunately, your market value has dropped since then...

Suck it up. You'll be a free agent soon. And we'll see how many teams clamor for your services.

 

[nbrans]

Jason Hart = Chris Webber. Pick up your option, complain about your role, demand a trade, try to get a team to buy you out.

 

[sidney]

Jason Hart = Chris Webber. Pick up your option, complain about your role, demand a trade, try to get a team to buy you out.

what?? not even close

 

[nbrans]

what?? not even close

Jason Hart has been a little more public and hysterical, but it's the same playbook.

 

[fnordius]

Since he really wants to leave, I'm all in favor of buying him out.

I think that $1 is enough to make it a legally binding agreement, let's make the offer.

 

[nbrans]

Since he really wants to leave, I'm all in favor of buying him out.

I think that $1 is enough to make it a legally binding agreement, let's make the offer.

You are so ungrateful for what Jason Hart has meant to this team the past season and a half. $1.75 is much more fair.

 

[Merdiesel]

And as one Kings fan commented on an Internet site, "This is like complaining about the cleanliness of a restroom on the Titanic."

Is that from here??

 

[sidney]

offer him .50 on the dollar for whatever he is owed the day after the trade deadline if he can't be moved for a 2nd round pick. If he doesn't take it, deactivate him for the rest of the season.

 

[VF21]

Yeah, Webber and Hart are so much alike.

At this point, further comment on that misguided post would only end up with me saying things I'd most likely feel obligated to apologize for later.

Now a message from VF21, MODERATOR:

This thread is about Jason Hart and the Sacramento Kings. I would like to request that it NOT be derailed over a discussion of Webber and his experience with the 76ers. We have a separate forum for those kinds of things...

 

[VF21]

Is that from here??

I thought it looked familiar but I hadn't checked the other thread yet. It might also be from the cesspool known as the sacbee forum...

 

[thedofd]

offer him .50 on the dollar for whatever he is owed the day after the trade deadline if he can't be moved for a 2nd round pick. If he doesn't take it, deactivate him for the rest of the season.

But he's an expiring contract, right? So perhaps he has some trade value at the deadline, so he's an asset in that regar -- maybe not by himself, but as a small piece of a larger deal to make the cap balance, etc.

 

[Merdiesel]

EDIT: what he said^^^


This might turn out to be a good thing, maybe force Petrie's hand to make a trade and make something happen already.

 

[sidney]

But he's an expiring contract, right? So perhaps he has some trade value at the deadline, so he's an asset in that regar -- maybe not by himself, but as a small piece of a larger deal to make the cap balance, etc.

right, so if we can't trade him for a 2nd round pick or use him as filler in another move by the trade deadline, offer him a heavily discounted buyout or just deactivate him AFTER the deadline. After the deadline he's useless. I think we're thinking similar things. In other words, don't do this guy any favors.

 

[VF21]

But he's an expiring contract, right? So perhaps he has some trade value at the deadline, so he's an asset in that regar -- maybe not by himself, but as a small piece of a larger deal to make the cap balance, etc.

That would be exactly my guess on what could be in his future...

Note: As far as the Titanic quote goes, either Amick is guilty of misquoting someone here on this very board:

http://www.kingsfans.com/forums/showpost.php?p=418637&postcount=106

Agreed. Anything we can get for Hart alone is just shuffling the chairs on the Titanic.

or he actually found a quote like that, which I've never heard, BTW.

I suspect he may have altered fnordius' comment so he wouldn't have to give credit for it, but I could be wrong.

Since this is the Bee, however, I'm banking that he may have simply goofed.

right, so if we can't trade him for a 2nd round pick or use him as filler in another move by the trade deadline, offer him a heavily discounted buyout or just deactivate him AFTER the deadline. After the deadline he's useless. I think we're thinking similar things. In other words, don't do this guy any favors.

There's no choice on a buyout. He would still get the remainder of this year's contract regardless.

EDIT: what he said^^^


This might turn out to be a good thing, maybe force Petrie's hand to make a trade and make something happen already.

Ah, grasshopper. Do you really think a disgruntled Jason Hart could force Petrie to do anything? Really?

 

[Warhawk]

That would be exactly my guess on what could be in his future...


There's no choice on a buyout. He would still get the remainder of this year's contract regardless.


Ah, grasshopper. Do you really think a disgruntled Jason Hart could force Petrie to do anything? Really?

Yeah, what she said.

 

[fnordius]

There's no choice on a buyout. He would still get the remainder of this year's contract regardless.

No? Buyouts are usually negotiated with the players, who generally accept a figure below what they would have gotten -- Webber, for example, reportedly forfeited $5M in payments from Philly in order to be able to leave. Is there some rule which would apply to Hart that would prevent such a scenario?

 

[sidney]

There's no choice on a buyout. He would still get the remainder of this year's contract regardless.

Maybe I have my facts wrong. Why did Hart's agent mention talking to the kings about a buyout at a discount? And why did all the Webber articles talk about him being bought out for 5-7 million less that the rest of his contract? I thought that was an option in buyout negotiations if both parties agreed

 

[VF21]

I'll go check the CBA but I thought a player in the least part of his contract would get the remainder of his contract...

I could easily be wrong, however. Hold on and I'll go check my favorite source for all things related to the CBA (collective bargaining agreement)...

 

[Bricklayer]

Actually I continue to have some sympathy for Jason Hart here.

His career is circling down the drain. He absolutely NEEDS to get on court and play for someone, anyone. And we simply aren't going to let him do that here. So why exactly are we holding him hostage? If we were playing him, or even threatening to play him, then sure, suck it up, you're under contract, you play our role. But we're not playing him, obviously have no interest in doing so, and have not 1, but 2 kids ahead of him in the pecking order. We are going to have to pay him the money anyway, so keeping him here when we have absolutely no need of him is...inconsiderate. Meanwhile we could save ourselves a few bucks by just biting the bullet. At this point what Jason is suggesting doesn't hurt us in the least, and may even be of slight benefit. Meanwhile it helps him a lot.

As an aside, Chris Webber is saving the Sixers $5-$10 million. They also did not want him on that team with the direction they are heading. They hardly got screwed by that buyout.

As a further aside, Lawrence Funderburke once demanded his freedom in the midst of our best ever season because he was not going to play. He a jerk too? The key here is the not playing at all, not being active. That's clearly detrimental to the player who is going to be a FA, and on the other hand serves no purpose for us either. If he's still here at the trading deadline, we should really let him go.

 

[VF21]

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm

59. What is a contract buy-out?

Sometimes players and teams decide to divorce each other. They do this by mutually agreeing that:

* The team will waive the player;
* If the player clears waivers, the compensation protection for lack of skill (see question number 90) will be reduced or eliminated;

* Optionally the payment schedule for the remaining salary may be shortened or lengthened.

For example, the Celtics did this with Dino Radja prior to the 1997-98 season. They mutually agreed to reduce Radja's compensation protection to 50% of its value, and then the Celtics waived him. When he cleared waivers he was paid the 50% he was owed, and he was then free to return to Europe.

But there's a twist, which needed an arbitrator's ruling during the 1999-00 season to resolve. As detailed in question number 90, on January 10 all contracts become guaranteed for the rest of the season. Compensation protection insures the player against loss of salary after being waived for lack of skill. But if he is waived after January 10, then he doesn't lose his salary, so the compensation protection does not kick in. Even though the team & player can mutually agree to reduce or eliminate the player's compensation protection, he is still owed his full salary if waived after January 10.

This was challenged by John Starks during the 1999-00 season. Starks had been traded to the Bulls, and wanted to sever ties with the team after January 10. The arbitrator ruled that in the last season of a player's contract, the team and player could choose to eliminate the contract guarantee that kicked in on January 10. Starks and the Bulls were therefore free to agree to a divorce (with no money owed to Starks) as described above.

There is one other type of buyout described in the CBA. When a contract contains an option year, a buyout amount for the option year can be written into the contract. The buyout amount may be up to 50% of the salary for the option year, and is payable with the exercise of an ETO or the non-exercise of an option.

I'll defer to the resident lawyer on the board to translate that...

 

[sidney]

Actually I continue to have some sympathy for Jason Hart here.

His career is circling down the drain. He absolutely NEEDS to get on court and play for someone, anyone. And we simply aren't going to let him do that here. So why exactly are we holding him hostage? If we were playing him, or even threatening to play him, then sure, suck it up, you're under contract, you play our role. But we're not playing him, obviously have no interest in doing so, and have not 1, but 2 kids ahead of him in the pecking order. We are going to have to pay him the money anyway, so keeping him here when we have absolutely no need of him is...inconsiderate. Meanwhile we could save ourselves a few bucks by just biting the bullet. At this point what Jason is suggesting doesn't hurt us in the least, and may even be of slight benefit. Meanwhile it helps him a lot.

As an aside, Chris Webber is saving the Sixers $5-$10 million. They also did not want him on that team with the direction they are heading. They hardly got screwed by that buyout.

As a further aside, Lawrence Funderburke once demanded his freedom in the midst of our best ever season because he was not going to play. He a jerk too? The key here is the not playing at all, not being active. That's clearly detrimental to the player who is going to be a FA, and on the other hand serves no purpose for us either. If he's still here at the trading deadline, we should really let him go.

if a week after the trade deadline he's not traded and not bought out, I might have a sliver of sympathy. But then when I realize he'll still make more this year than the average working American in a lifetime...no, even that sliver goes away. He's as fortunate as they come

 

[SLAB]

The Titanic quote was from here.

I was arguing that Jason should have been traded for Flip, becuase bothe their contrtacts are pennies, NBA-wise, and someone said someone responded with the Titanic remark.

 

[VF21]

The Titanic quote was from here.

I was arguing that Jason should have been traded for Flip, becuase bothe their contrtacts are pennies, NBA-wise, and someone said someone responded with the Titanic remark.

I did a search and could only find the Titanic reference I've mentioned above. Do you have a link to another thread or are you talking about the same thing?

...

...

And no, I cannot believe I'm actually still talking about a throwaway comment in an Amick article.



This is worse than TDOS.

 

[fnordius]

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm



I'll defer to the resident lawyer on the board to translate that...

Ah, I see.

Back on Aug. 10, Amick reported,
"Point guard Jason Hart, who exercised his $1.68 million player option for the following season, doesn’t seem to be part of the plans. That could make for one unsatisfied player come October."
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/2006_08.html

Now, 5 months later, immediately after the deadline for negotiating discounted buyouts has passed, Neff has apparently heard the news and decided that it's an urgent crisis which demands calling in to KHTK and complaining publicly. On January 16, he whines, "I'd even talk to them about a discount on a buyout, but we can't even get that far. But I do know what the Kings are doing to Jason just isn't right. It stinks..." But he doesn't say that any discount would be forbidden by the CBA since he waited until after the deadline, so talking about it would be meaningless.

Of course, if Hart were bought out and signed by another team, Mr. Neff would immediately make a bonus $50,000 or more -- since he waited until after the deadline.

Oh, we're so mean. Poor Mr. Neff. Boohoo, boohoo.

 

[Warhawk]

Actually I continue to have some sympathy for Jason Hart here.

The key here is the not playing at all, not being active. That's clearly detrimental to the player who is going to be a FA, and on the other hand serves no purpose for us either. If he's still here at the trading deadline, we should really let him go.

I think he's being held close to possibly be salary filler in a trade, if necessary. If he is still here at the trade deadline, I agree, let him go.

 

[Krunker]

Actually I continue to have some sympathy for Jason Hart here.

His career is circling down the drain. He absolutely NEEDS to get on court and play for someone, anyone. And we simply aren't going to let him do that here. So why exactly are we holding him hostage?

Maybe he's being held hostage for payback regarding (take your pick of whatever reason)

 

[creAtivetfh]

Marty is a moron and this article is completely pointless.

He needs to stop stirring things up with an already disgruntled fanbase.

 

[VF21]

Marty is a moron and this article is completely pointless.

He needs to stop stirring things up with an already disgruntled fanbase.

1. Marty didn't write this article; Sam did.

2. Hart is the one who needs to keep quiet.

3. Hart's agent called Grant and blathered on the radio so you cannot blame the Bee for their coverage of this topic.

4. This isn't exactly a big surprise. Hart has made numerous comments in the press to indicate his displeasure so he's fair game IMHO.

 

[BMiller52]

I hope we get rid of Hart soon. Not only does he suck, he's a malcontent too.