<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Raptors' James hoping to cash in a couple of times Free agent to be seeks 3-year deal Mike James has had to prove himself at every stop in his nomadic basketball career and as he stands to cash in after the best season of his life, he's willing to rely on that ability to make himself wanted rather than take the security of a long-term contract. The Raptor guard, who becomes a free agent this summer after a breakthrough season, said yesterday he's not looking for a five- or six-year contract. But here's the kicker: Short term, big bucks. "If I sign for less years I'll probably ask for more money," James said after Raptor practice yesterday. "That's probably the way I'll go for the remainder of my career: Sign three-year deals with a player option on my third for the simple fact that I don't want to lock myself into nothing long-term. "I believe I'm always going to get better and I don't want to lock myself into a deal that I outplay maybe a year or two from now." That James has proven himself worthy of financial security off his season with the Raptors really goes without saying. The 30-year-old, he'll be 31 when training camp starts next season, is averaging 20.4 points and 5.9 assists per game, shoots 47 per cent from the field and 45 per cent from three-point range and plays with an anger and aggression that's welcome on a Toronto team that needs an emotional leader. The question, as it has been all season, is how much the Raptors are willing to pay him and for how long. James makes $3.4 million (U.S.) this season and should be looking at some kind of healthy raise. The Raptors can offer a larger annual increase ? 10 per cent as opposed to 8.5 per cent ? than any other team James signs with. Toronto can also offer a six-year deal and no other team can go longer than five but that doesn't seem to faze James given his desire for two years and his option on a third. "After those two years are up, I'll be 33 years old and I can let the NBA know I'm still a helluva player," he said. "I can turn that over into another three-year deal (and) I'll still have my six-year deal. "I don't plan on getting hurt, I don't worry about getting hurt ... that's the reason I don't mind signing a deal like that." James said neither he nor his agent, Bill Duffy, has had a significant conversation with new Raptors president/GM Bryan Colangelo. Knowing that a decision on James will be one of his first major moves, Colangelo has been close-vested about his intentions, praising James for his contributions this season and saying he'd like to have him back at an equitable salary. "I understand he's in a tough spot right now, he's doing a lot of observing," James said of the general manager. "As far as myself, I don't know what the future is going to bring, I don't know what he's going to do about me coming back." James's play has been the biggest surprise of the season but to the super-confident James, all of the scoring and deadly shooting was expected. "It didn't matter where I played, it didn't matter where I went, the way I worked this summer, I believe in my heart I worked harder than anybody in the NBA and I knew the way I worked this summer was only going to get me results this season."</div> I don't know, to me, just a 3 year deal with player option shows lack of commitment. I guess it's good in that we wouldn't have our money locked up in him long term, but the way he wants to do it, is just to maximize his money gain.
i disagree. Its stupid of him to expect to make more $$$ by taking 2 3 year deals as opposed to 1 6 year. i mean yes, usually the more years you sign for the lower the $ per year...but he'll be 33 turning 34 when the first 3 year deal ends. What kind of money does he expect to get at 33-34?!?! He's dumb for not realizing he's getting old He's dumb for not realizing that players get hurt...you cant not "plan to get hurt" He's dumb for thinking he's gunna get the money i think he's expecting for signing a 2-3 year deal. I mean if 6-7mill is what he thinks he'll make in a longterm deal..does he think that becuase he's going short term a team will give him 9 or 10? Just doesnt make sense to me. I bet Alvin Williams is glad he got his long term contract
I don't get care what Bosh says and if I were Bosh, I think it would be best to let James go. James is an agressive player, which will attact a lot of suitors in the offseason and if we can sign and trade, that would be awesome. It seems like he's just out there trying to please himself. I mean, I've never seen anyone glance at the scoreboard for their stats as often as he does. I still have a ton of respect for him though. He's a really great scorer.
To me he is not that valuable. He is just a ball dominant scoerer on a bad team. If he were on a good team different story. Theres a reason why even with alstons contract rockets wanted him instead. You guyz have calderon use him and draft a guard. DON"T Resign him.
I for one support the signing of Mike James, ive seen too many good players leave Toronto and don't wanna loose the highest scoring secondary player in Raptors history. Don't forget, when Bosh is on the court he plays very well with Mike James, they make eachother that much better, id also like to compare Mike James' stats to another point gaurd who has had alot of praise, Mike Bibby. James 20.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.9 apg, <font color=""Red"">47% fg, 44% 3s, 83% ft</font>, 37.1 mpg Bibby 21.1 ppg, 3 rpg, 5.5 apg, 43% fg, 38% 3s, 85% ft, 38.8 mpg A selfish player with that statline can play for me anyday. Yes Mike James is an agressive player, thats why we should keep him, im sick and tired of all the soft players comin through here.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tinyballer:</div><div class="quote_post">To me he is not that valuable. He is just a ball dominant scoerer on a bad team. If he were on a good team different story. Theres a reason why even with alstons contract rockets wanted him instead. You guyz have calderon use him and draft a guard. DON"T Resign him.</div> Alston, valuable? Alston is an erratic player with no defensive intensity, Mike James is a killer defensive player, who is obviously intent on getting better, Toronto gave him the chance and he capitalized. He isnt a young player, hes been around, yet he still gets better every year, give the guy a break, and give him his loot. I don't see the logic, we sign Micheal Stewart, we sign Antonio Davis, to these huge contracts, and a guy who has actually earned something isn't supposed to seek his money? Toronto is a loosing team (and I watch every game and wanna win every game), so Mike James has all the say in the world. Mike James for MIP (or CB4). Id also like to nominate Mo Pete for the all-defensive team.
This is a positive for the Raptors, IMO. Signing Mike James for a shorter term deal has a lot of benefits for the team. A) Gives them time to evaluate him more Buys them time to groom his eventual replacement C) Makes Bosh happy D) If he isn't working out, it's easier to trade him The deals that cripple franchises are the long term, expensive contracts to role players.
In my opinion, I'd be happy if he stays or he goes. What you've stated is true, why not spend money on a player who's putting out monster numbers? It's a good investment, and like I said...all the Raps needed this year was a good start and they would've had the chance or maybe even have been in the playoffs with the guys they have now. So, where am I going with this? + Resign James; get him to play better defense because I've seen him many times give up on a defensive play. He should also work on his temper and instead of hasseling the refs after a play; he should just get right back on defense. Remember that James has been around and has a lot playoff experience, which will help the Raps. I think team chemistry is at its highest right now and I believe that we should add on to it, rather than take away from it. + Trade Eric Williams and Loren Woods. + Sign a true center that is strong and is Antonio Davis-like back in 2000/01. + Draft some good guards (Brandon Roy, McNamara) + Take out your girlfriends to see the Blue Jays and some cerveza!
Mike James talks too much, if he just shut up and didn't talk, he'd get a better contract. You don't need to tell us this, that's why there's a negotiation period, and you do know you're 30 years old. After 2-3 years, you'll be 32-33, there's only so much improving a player can do.
I dont really care how much he talks, as long as it isnt anything negative against his teammates, coaching staff, franchinse, even fanbase, he just wants money, because no one has paid him it yet, every player wants money, who cares if he talks about it to the media, hes a solid player, with a RIDICULOUS statline especially compared to his last years stats, you dont not resign people like that, thats when you know you need ANOTHER gm, but our gms good, and hes gonna get Mike James when he thinks about in and what hes really done, and we will be in very good shape.
I really don't care honestly. If he comes back, good for him. If he doesn't, fine, good luck to him. I agree with shape though, I'd much rather give him a 2-3 year deal, than a 5 year deal.
2-3 years would be good.. or i'd give him a 1 year deal with a whooping 10 million dollars.. so he can shut up about the money.. since there aren't many good FAs this season, and his contract will expire the following season and hopefully we can go after some key FA's in the 07 market, which seems to be a lot better than this years. Draft some guards to develop or what not.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Mike James talks too much, if he just shut up and didn't talk, he'd get a better contract. You don't need to tell us this, that's why there's a negotiation period, and you do know you're 30 years old. After 2-3 years, you'll be 32-33, there's only so much improving a player can do.</div> Yes, i agree. His age is also a problem as well.
