Woj: Marcus Morris Reneging on Agreement with Spurs?

[vy65]

In fact, the very existance of the moratorium period might be exactly FOR players to have this option. Otherwise what exactly is the point?

Section 1. General Rules.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Article VII, including, but not limited to, Article VII, Section 6(b), and subject further to Article II, Section 14:
(i) an Unrestricted Free Agent is free at any time beginning on the first day of the Moratorium Period to negotiate, and free at any time after the conclusion of the Moratorium Period to enter into, a Player Contract with any Team; and

The point is to negotiate and reach an agreement on a contracts terms.

I’m unaware of any kind of business where you can reach an agreement on all material terms and back out prior to execution without suffering consequences. Particularly when the parties start acting like a deal is in place

[Chinook]

In fact, the very existance of the moratorium period might be exactly FOR players to have this option. Otherwise what exactly is the point?

It's for teams to set up their boards more than players. Because the NBA has a soft cap, the order of deals is important. A lot of signings become S&Ts and cap space becomes cleared in this time. Back in the day, it used to be time for the NBA to add up its money to calculate the new cap, and unlike now, the number used to change by a non-negligible amount. I think that might have even happened in 2015.

Morris was within his rights to back out or hold off, but the spirit of the moratorium is to honor these "agreements" so that everybody can be on the same page of where the market is at. Even in a lot of cases with an unexpected change, the teams and players will honor their promises, because one of both sides have already given up other opportunities to make it happen.

[baseline bum]

That is some Bull . Agrees, and then blows off the physical to get out of it. CBA is BS..

I think the owners are going to rip up the CBA in 2023 (the first opt out) and push hard for non-guaranteed NFL style contracts now that star players are in effect in a perpetual free agency (see Leonard, AD, George all forcing trades with years left on their deals) while teams who overpay for underperforming guys like John Wall are stuck with the contracts. Those three are going to kill the golden goose that NBA players have with guaranteed contracts. After seeing the Kawhi pulled, then Davis doing it, then George doing it, small market owners have to feel like ing suckers.

[Mr. Body]

I'd bet money that part of the CBA is that parties don't go through the normal legal route but instead some form of arbitration. NBA negotiations aren't like regular business negotiations.

But they are regular business negotiations. The law doesn't just disappear. Naturally the league office doesn't want this to happen, nor would it, because the Spurs won't want to be seen as attacking a player. Just saying that there is a legal motion to seek damages from someone pulling out of a verbal promise.

[TXstbobcat]

Bullock never signed a contract so there's nothing to restructure. It sounds like he failed the physical and that the Knicks will instead throw the money at Morris. Knicks might throw a couple million at Bullock in good faith ... depending on what the reason is he might not be able to play next season.

got it. Thank you for clarifying that.

[Mr. Body]

So would you trade Murray now?

No. Next question?

[Dennis the Menace]

Nope. Our trade with Wash is completely independent of signing Morris. It had to happen first.

I don’t think the delay is a good sign at all. NY is just doing capology things, and when that’s done, he’ll sign.

This. It’s probably a done deal. Just waiting on Bullock situation to resolve itself. Klutch took down the Spurs signing of Morris on their twitter. LOL great agency they are

[Chinook]

So would you trade Murray now?

I wouldn't. But I'd have a really short fuse with Paul in extension talks. If he tried to pull any of that hardball "max or no deal" , I'd tell Murray that talks were off until he had different representation. Klutch being reasonable and working on a favorable to solid deal would go a long way to repairing bridges.

[vy65]

There is something called promissory estoppel, which essentially means that a promise made and then broken can be actionable if the aggrieved party suffered damages through the breaking. The Spurs would have a case in potentially recovering the extra money given to Carroll, potentially something from the Bertans trade, and more. I would think Klutch would be the responsible party, but perhaps Morris, too.

Now, I doubt they go this far, but the legal principle exists.

SR21 suggested that earlier.

I still think there’s an argument that it’s an enforceable verbal agreement since the 1 year option likely takes it out of the statute of frauds

[MannyIsGod]

Section 1. General Rules.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Article VII, including, but not limited to, Article VII, Section 6(b), and subject further to Article II, Section 14:
(i) an Unrestricted Free Agent is free at any time beginning on the first day of the Moratorium Period to negotiate, and free at any time after the conclusion of the Moratorium Period to enter into, a Player Contract with any Team; and

The point is to negotiate and reach an agreement on a contracts terms.

I’m unaware of any kind of business where you can reach an agreement on all material terms and back out prior to execution without suffering consequences. Particularly when the parties start acting like a deal is in place

You should be aware that the NBA is that kind of business as its happened before on multiple occasions. Its rare, but its not unprecedented. I'm not even sure why we're still debating this considering you have zero precedent on your side.

[Mr. Body]

I wouldn't. But I'd have a really short fuse with Paul in extension talks. If he tried to pull any of that hardball "max or no deal" , I'd tell Murray that talks were off until he had different representation. Klutch being reasonable and working on a favorable to solid deal would go a long way to repairing bridges.

If Murray doesn't drop Klutch, this is a bad sign for him. I doubt he has the people around him to let him know this, though. My guess is he's gone at first opportunity, but then I've thought that since I saw his Instagram account and that he was close with LeBron.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Blessing in disguise? RC's forced to trade beli so pop doesn't give him Walkers minutes per par

[Marcus Bryant]

I think the owners are going to rip up the CBA in 2023 (the first opt out) and push hard for non-guaranteed NFL style contracts now that star players are in effect in a perpetual free agency (see Leonard, AD, George all forcing trades with years left on their deals) while teams who overpay for underperforming guys like John Wall are stuck with the contracts. Those three are going to kill the golden goose that NBA players have with guaranteed contracts. After seeing the Kawhi pulled, then Davis doing it, then George doing it, small market owners have to feel like ing suckers.

Where this leads perhaps is some kind of MLB style arbitration process for the first 6 years or whatever of a player's career. Or just longer rookie contracts and lower maximum salaries for players until their 6th or 7th year. Or just shorter lengths for contracts.

[Mr. Body]

SR21 suggested that earlier.

I still think there’s an argument that it’s an enforceable verbal agreement since the 1 year option likely takes it out of the statute of frauds

Not enforceable in terms of making Morris sign with the Spurs, but actionable in that he can be sued for the consequences. Again, it's moot because I don't think anyone moves on it.

[paperboy77]

I'd bet money that part of the CBA is that parties don't go through the normal legal route but instead some form of arbitration. NBA negotiations aren't like regular business negotiations.

Arbitration is part of a load of business deals. Really that's what keeps things going and not dragging out in court... where everyone loses. Arbitration is a double edged sword.

[MannyIsGod]

But they are regular business negotiations. The law doesn't just disappear. Naturally the league office doesn't want this to happen, nor would it, because the Spurs won't want to be seen as attacking a player. Just saying that there is a legal motion to seek damages from someone pulling out of a verbal promise.

Are you sure the law doesn't disappears? If a party agrees to a bargaining agreement and the rules within, then does the law not take that into consideration? I'm no lawyer, so I"m not sure, but I also don't take it for granted.

[vy65]

You should be aware that the NBA is that kind of business as its happened before on multiple occasions. Its rare, but its not unprecedented. I'm not even sure why we're still debating this considering you have zero precedent on your side.

See Chinooks comment above. Precedent, while helpful, is unnecessary given the terms of the actual agreement

[Marcus Bryant]

But they are regular business negotiations. The law doesn't just disappear. Naturally the league office doesn't want this to happen, nor would it, because the Spurs won't want to be seen as attacking a player. Just saying that there is a legal motion to seek damages from someone pulling out of a verbal promise.

The law does disappear to an extent, that's why there's a CBA. https://www.post-gazette.com/busines...s/201102140219

[vy65]

Are you sure the law doesn't disappears? If a party agrees to a bargaining agreement and the rules within, then does the law not take that into consideration? I'm no lawyer, so I"m not sure, but I also don't take it for granted.

I don’t do labor and employment, but the CBA supplants/provides the law for the parties

[DPG21920]

Just because they have it better than the other leagues doesn't mean they shouldn't try to get as much power as they can.

Do you feel this way about owners? No. There should be balance.

[GreekSpursfan]

If Morris changed his mind again for whatever reason and wants to sign with us again if i'm the Spurs i terminate any discussion with him and cancel any offer. If i'm the Spurs i'm already working on something else

[MannyIsGod]

Where this leads perhaps is some kind of MLB style arbitration process for the first 6 years or whatever of a player's career. Or just longer rookie contracts and lower maximum salaries for players until their 6th or 7th year. Or just shorter lengths for contracts.

I really doubt it. The NBA stars have way more power than MLB or NFL stars. Thats the main reason NBA owners are so progressive. Its not because NBA owners are any more liberal or with the times, but rather simply the power dynamic.

[Chinook]

You should be aware that the NBA is that kind of business as its happened before on multiple occasions. Its rare, but its not unprecedented. I'm not even sure why we're still debating this considering you have zero precedent on your side.

Maybe after next contract. Right now, Murray has to look out for his own financial security. He has no reason to drop Paul if the Spurs aren't already offering him a lucrative extension. It only makes sense if SA has an offer that Murray likes but is currently being told to reject by Klutch. Then he can fire Paul and take the deal to keep good will. Otherwise, he should go with the guy who usually gets his players good money.

[Ocotillo]

Any chance this is Klutch working for Dejounte? Leak comes out Morris is considering the Knicks, so the agent steps in and talks sense to the client. PATFO owes Klutch for helping out so they call in a favor when DJ is up for renewal. Win win

[DPG21920]

Really? If he takes an extra day to decide and ultimately signs with the Spurs, no one will remember. The storyline would be that he got a last second offer that was like 60% higher than San Antonio's offer yet decided to sign with the Spurs anyways after taking a day or two to think about it.

This whole thing would be forgotten in about a week.

Obviously, my guess is he goes to NY but no need being overly dramatic until something actually happens.

Look at the universal reactions from just though THOUGHT of doing this. It’s a very big unspoken rule; goes double in this situation with the trade.