Blazers Ensure Mediocrity- Aldridge 5y $65-$70mill Ext

[Danny.Zhu]

He isn't worth that much money at the current level. But he have the potential I think.

[noob cake]

Blazers overpaid for both Roy and Aldridge. If the players weren't willing to take team-friendly contracts, the Blazers should have let them both hit the market next summer. There would have been virtually no downside from that approach as they have committed the max to Roy and nearly 90% of max to Aldridge. Signing these two also severely weakens their position next summer when Oden comes looking for his extension.

You can't farken overpay Roy, i'll offer him the max.

[Danny.Zhu]

You can't farken overpay Roy, i'll offer him the max.

Agreed. Everyone will give a maximum to the No4 SG in the league.

[Mel_13]

Agreed. Everyone will give a maximum to the No4 SG in the league.

The salary cap for 2010 is an unknown as are the effects of the economy. As an RFA, the Blazers could match any offer he received. In the worst case scenario, they would pay him the max. No need to guarantee him or Aldridge more money than the market may bear next summer. They take on additional risk, either could sustain an injury that limits their future production, with virtually no possibility of any additional reward.

Roy and Aldridge are good players, but not deserving of franchise player money. Certainly not a year earlier than it needed to be guaranteed. That treatment is for real franchise players like Duncan, Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Paul, etc. Roy and Aldridge are not in that category.

[DaDakota]

He is closer to his contract than either of our big injury prone stars...

DD

[Mel_13]

He is closer to his contract than either of our big injury prone stars...

DD

The trials and tribulations of Yao and TMac should serve as cautionary tales to all franchises as they decided who is truly worthy of max or near-max money. You would think that the franchise that gave max extensions to Sheed and Zach and paid $50M in buyouts to make Kemp and Francis go away would have already learned their lesson. Apparently not. Roy and Aldridge may be choir boys compared to that bunch, but they are no less likely to fail to justify their contracts. It will just be less embarrassing.

Franchise money for franchise players:

Kobe, LeBron, Wade: Yes
Roy, Aldridge, Bosh: No