The Premiere Impeding Free Agent

F

FakeInjury

Bench
Is Ron Artest. He could upset a whole, lot of people, if he decided to sign with a conference powerhouse. I would like to explore a few of his options. He could first ask his agent; who is willing to pay and what are they willing to pay if he opts out of his current deal? I expect his actions to follow what this flow of information dictates. What scares me is if a negotiation with a team breaks down, and he is relegated to a minimum contract; he could possibly debilitate the franchise who sours him by signing with a conference and divisional rival.
 
FakeInjury said:
Is Ron Artest. He could upset a whole, lot of people, if he decided to sign with a conference powerhouse. I would like to explore a few of his options. He could first ask his agent; who is willing to pay and what are they willing to pay if he opts out of his current deal? I expect his actions to follow what this flow of information dictates. What scares me is if a negotiation with a team breaks down, and he is relegated to a minimum contract; he could possibly debilitate the franchise who sours him by signing with a conference and divisional rival.
Click to expand...

Do you mean "impeding" as in blocking progress or "pending" as in upcoming or soon to be? ;)
 
Here's why number 93 will choose NOT to become the "premiere impending free agent" ... there are no "conference powerhouses" that can sign him. Not unless he wants to take a major pay cut.

According to NBA cap rules, a team over the cap can only sign a player to the MLE, which would knock about $3 million off Ron's current contract, considered extremely low for Artest's "talent" level.

These are the teams projected to be significantly under the cap according to "HoopsHype" (I was having trouble finding a cap rundown website): Charlotte, Chicago, Golden State, Memphis, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Seattle.

Other than the possibility of signing in New Jersey to be close to home (and joining a logjam at his position with Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter), I can't see the man who expects to challenge for a championship every year clamoring to join those clubs.

And I don't think he'd opt out and sign for the MLE with a contender, when he could keep his current contract and work out a trade to Phoenix, Dallas or even (gulp) L.A.
 
The problem is, were dealing with Ron Artest. If it were anyone else, we would probably know by now whether he was going to opt out or not. Logic dictates that he won't, but as I said, were dealing with Artest, and who knows.
Thats why I take umbrage with Reggie's idea of running the offense through Artest. Your letting a person who's decision making, hasn't been the best in the past, decide the outcome of the game. Some nights he's Magic and some nights he's a Kobe want a be. Makes for nightly drama though.
 
bajaden said:
The problem is, were dealing with Ron Artest. If it were anyone else, we would probably know by now whether he was going to opt out or not.
Click to expand...
We do know. He and his agent have been saying for months that he's not going to opt out. Is that an ironclad guarantee? Of course not, nor would it be coming from anyone. until June 30th.

It might be advantageous for the team to know early, but I can't think of an advantage to the player for not waiting until the deadline. Anyone?
 
kennadog said:
We do know. He and his agent have been saying for months that he's not going to opt out. Is that an ironclad guarantee? Of course not, nor would it be coming from anyone. until June 30th.

It might be advantageous for the team to know early, but I can't think of an advantage to the player for not waiting until the deadline. Anyone?
Click to expand...

A potential trade to a favorable destination on or before draft night?
 
If the potential trade is to a destination favorable to Artest, his ETO wouldn't make any difference on draft night because he would still have until June 30 to exercise it, regardless of what team he is sent to. If he's traded to a team he is not interested in playing for, he could - I'm pretty sure - exercise the ETO and become a free agent. The downside for that is for the receiving team, who is taking a big chance on trading for him unless they're absolutely sure he's not going to opt out ...
 
VF21 said:
If the potential trade is to a destination favorable to Artest, his ETO wouldn't make any difference on draft night because he would still have until June 30 to exercise it, regardless of what team he is sent to. If he's traded to a team he is not interested in playing for, he could - I'm pretty sure - exercise the ETO and become a free agent. The downside for that is for the receiving team, who is taking a big chance on trading for him unless they're absolutely sure he's not going to opt out ...
Click to expand...

Which is exactly why the CBA doesn't allow players with outstanding ETOs to be traded after the trade deadline. Ron can't be traded on draft day unless his ETO has been nixed already.
 
Capt. Factorial said:
Which is exactly why the CBA doesn't allow players with outstanding ETOs to be traded after the trade deadline. Ron can't be traded on draft day unless his ETO has been nixed already.
Click to expand...
That's what I was thinking. If he wants to opt out, he can't do it after 11:59 PM on June 30th. However, there isn't anything preventing him from declining to opt out earlier, but it would seem you'd have to have that in a contractual, signed manner. Can that be done in a legally binding manner, though? Otherwise, who would trade for him, knowing he could change his mind and opt out?
 
kennadog said:
That's what I was thinking. If he wants to opt out, he can't do it after 11:59 PM on June 30th. However, there isn't anything preventing him from declining to opt out earlier, but it would seem you'd have to have that in a contractual, signed manner. Can that be done in a legally binding manner, though? Otherwise, who would trade for him, knowing he could change his mind and opt out?
Click to expand...

Suddenly Carlos Boozer comes to mind...
 
Capt. Factorial said:
Which is exactly why the CBA doesn't allow players with outstanding ETOs to be traded after the trade deadline. Ron can't be traded on draft day unless his ETO has been nixed already.
Click to expand...

Oops. You're right, of course. Don't know what I was thinking - or more accurately, not thinking.

:o
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top