Keeping Meyers Leonard: Expect clear-cut negotiation between team and big man

Quick >>>>> Jabari Young

This is like going from a 1998 Ford Taurus to a Nissan GTR R35.

Like him or not - Quick is the best sports writer in Portland.

 

I hate when Quick hacks peoples account around here.

 

Thing is, Meyers has an agent who is aware his client will get lots of playing time, and the ability to showcase his skills coming into an offseason where there will be a LOT of money available. No reason for him to give the Blazers a discount.

 

And I agree with Fez on Quick being a very good writer. My main issue is he takes it too personally, and that ends up showing up in his writing.

 

Oh I agree. But NO should still be trying, if anything to make him restricted. If my Jersey is worthless in a year....

 

Well, unless there is a fallout, no matter what happens it will be cherished to me because its my first Blazer Jersey, hell My first any Jersey.
EL PESIDENTE... $500 and its yours. Get it now and you can say you had one from BEFORE he was an ALL Star!!!

 

No worries, El-p will pay plenty. Hipsters only pretend to be po' folk. El-p was ready to drop $500 on a Duds jersey.

 

#brolife

 

He will most definitely be a restricted free agent. We don't have to do anything until next June or so to make that happen. So we're good on that front.

But like I said, his agent has really very little incentive to push for an extension at this point. Knowing that his skill set(stretch 5, IMO, a blossoming defender, good rebounder) will fit on just about any team, we'll have a big offer to match, and I think we will next year.

 

And, that's a good problem to have, no? Him playing himself into a huge contract?
Means he's gone way beyond the Great Dane puppy stage he was his first 2 years.

 

Good at writing, bad writer.

 

I disagree. He's nowhere near the writer Kerry Eggers is IMHO.

 

Talk about damning someone with faint praise.

Sticking with the automotive analogies...

Back in the day, that would have been like having the coolest Gremlin at your local high school.

BNM

 

Meyers will definitely make the most money by holding off on an extension now and locking up a big deal next summer.

But when your talking about the largest sum of money you or anyone you've ever known can lock up it could be hard to risk it. He certainly could have an injury. Or get beat out of a starting spot by a teammate. Or the Blazers are so god awful his play is discounted as hollow.

If I were in Meyers shoes I'd accept a huge discount from the expected value of my next contract to lock up guaranteed money now.

 

Id rather the Blazers missed a chance to lock up a player at a discount than be stuck with a huge overpaid contract.

If Neil can lock him up well under $10mil a season I guess you do it. Otherwise I'm happy to pay him more if he proves to be worth it. I question if he can be more than Matt Bonner long term and if we aren't better with Harkless/Aminu starting at PF.

 

I'd give Meyers the John Henson contract. 4/44.

 

I really thought Leonard would explode onto the scene this year. It's early, so he definitely still could. but he looks nervous out there and has played pretty badly his first two games. I think I'd still offer him 4 years 40 million, maybe with a fourth year player option in hopes that he realizes his potential

 

there is also the risk he does really improve or play well enough to justify a significant offer, works both ways

 

Yep, these negotiations should be very clear cut.

Leonard: "give me all the dollas."

Blazers: " how about a punch to the ovaries and a cardboard box under the freeway in the D League city of your choice?"