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jefferson close the book on that one RC
Richard Jefferson Turns Down Spurs' $15.2 Million, Remains Unemployed
http://www.nesn.com/2010/07/richard-...nemployed.html
by Evans Clinchy on Jul 15, 2010 10:24:20 AM
Generally, when you’ve got a $15.2 million check sitting on the table in front of you, you snatch it up.
Generally. Unless you’re downright insane.
Or if you’re Richard Jefferson.
Jefferson shocked the world late in the afternoon on June 30, announcing just hours before the July 1 start of free agency that he’d be opting out of the final year of his contract with the San Antonio Spurs. After a lackluster season that saw Jefferson’s scoring drop off considerably and the Spurs swept in the second round of the West playoffs, Jefferson decided to turn his back on the team for which he’d played so disappointingly last season.
To say the least, it was a counterintuitive move. Looking at the final season of a six-year, $78 million contract extension he’d signed long ago back with the New Jersey Nets, it looked like a no-brainer for Jefferson to sign on the dotted line and indicate that, yes, he was sticking around. He’d just averaged 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in his first and only season with the Spurs -- statistically, the worst season he’d had since he was a 21-year-old rookie eight years ago -- and he had no reason to walk away. His stock was at an all-time low.
Yet, he opted out. He was just two years removed from his time with the Nets, who shipped him off to Milwaukee in June 2008 for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons, and one year removed from the Bucks, who dealt him to San Antonio last summer. He’d been with three different teams in three years and done nothing impressive with any of them. Who was he to say no to $15.2 million?
It was a bizarre move, to be sure. But in the end, it probably meant nothing. Jefferson is now nearing a return to San Antonio, and one can only imagine he’ll make less than the eight-figure windfall he was originally due.
Did he really, legitimately want out of San Antonio, thinking he could find a better contract or a better basketball situation elsewhere? Was he looking to rework his contract, facing the uncertainty of next year’s collective bargaining meetings and looking for long-term security now? Or was Jefferson simply trying to make a statement, that he’s still a power player in this league, and he didn’t want to be taken for granted anymore?
Who knows? But whatever Jefferson’s motives, it appears that he and the Spurs are on the verge of figuring things out.
So now what?
The Spurs have a rapidly closing window in their quest to win another NBA championship. Tim Duncan turned 34 in April -- he’s now a 13-year veteran, with 977 NBA games and 35,577 minutes, not even counting playoffs, on his odometer. Manu Ginobili is still a big shot-maker, but he’s about to turn 33 and he’s not the same athlete he once was.
Those guys won three championship rings together between 2003 and 2007. If they want to win another with Jefferson in the mix, they’d better get it done soon.
It’s unclear how Jefferson fits into San Antonio’s plans. Year 1 didn’t exactly go smoothly -- the Spurs had trouble sharing the ball, the defense didn’t gel and Jefferson ended up leading the team in minutes while a number of his teammates were dogged by fatigue and minor injuries.
Jefferson was supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle. But instead of putting the Spurs over the top, he just made a mess.
Jefferson likely has a pay cut to look forward to. The Spurs are declining. No one really wins in this deal -- except the rest of the Western Conference.
jefferson close the book on that one RC
i dont get it didnt he already turn this deal down, did they offer him the same contract and declined or 15.2 for 2 years or something?
i hate how he words that. i think the spurs are doing good with rebuilding while it's still duncan's team. they're getting young again with hill, blair, splitter, even jefferson if he can get his head into it. i'm optimistic about the spurs future. i think they're in more position to possibly win a championship this year than '08 or '09.
this dude obviously hates the spurs to say that
spurs should just cut ties with jefferson. try very hard for a s&t but if they can't find one, then just don't sign him. anything more than $7 million a year is overpriced and jefferson will not perceive it to be a fair deal, which results in him playing more dispirited than ever.
right now, i guess the spurs and jefferson could work out a one year deal of $8-9 million (or the max amount that won't put the spurs over the luxury tax, whichever is less) for jefferson to improve his stock and for the spurs to have a handy expiring contract that could be useful later and won't tie them down in the future.
Yes, the $15.2 million the article is referring to is what he would get if he didn't opt out.
This does not say anything new about RJ & the Spurs.
jefferson would have been a 19 points per game if he had taken the same amount of shots he had when in milwaukee.
it may be that the 12 points per is all we are going to get from him and if someone can find another 3 who can do that and play better D for us then i am all ears.
Move along...nothing to see. In the end I fully expect the Spurs and Jefferson to work out a deal that is beneficial to both parties. Just waiting for other pieces to get on board before his deal is announced.
I'm guessing the Spurs have an offer on the table for RJ that beats the MLE, but before RJ signs it he wants to see if anyone with capspace is willing to beat it. In the end though, he'll re-sign with the Spurs.
Misleading thread le. 15.2 million is what he would have got if he hadn't opted out. This makes it sound like he just turned down a new deal with them. Please edit.
blessing in disguise
aka Latrell Spreewell "I got family to feed"
alot of players turn down offers.....aka Latrell Spreewell "I got family to feed"
this is not even close son... not funny
Why would the spurs beat the mle when it looks like he won't even get that?
ty thread le.
Bonzi Jefferson
I didn't really find it that confusing AND it's linked to an article that explains the le.
yes it is, but it's also the actual le of the article being quoted.ty thread le.
Originally Posted by hater
by Evans Clinchy on Jul 15, 2010
The Spurs are declining. No one really wins in this deal -- except the rest of the Western Conference.
"In this deal", Beavil.
He's spot on, no one except West Conf opponents benefitted from the Jefferson fiasco.
It is confusing and misleading. When you open it up and look at the date (7/15) it looks as if he turned down a $15 milli deal very recently (or even today). This is old news anyway and should be edited or deleted altogether.
If I see an article dated 7/15, I assume that means he turned down their offer today.
This is basically reporting on something that happened last month with a by line of today.
Did you guys suffer heart palpitations in the 15 seconds of confusion?
Finally somebody that understands...
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