Diaw Asking for $10M a Season

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">are you kidding, whoever pays Diaw $10 a year is getting a good deal by NBA standards. It's RISKY, sure, but I think it will pan out. The guy plays fundamentally sound basketball, high IQ and versatile game, good character guy, awesome passer. he could be like a J-Kidd type guy in a couple of years, a guy who makes everyone better. star potential in the right system and given the right role.</div>

what he said

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phunDamentalz:</div><div class="quote_post">are you kidding, whoever pays Diaw $10 a year is getting a good deal by NBA standards. It's RISKY, sure, but I think it will pan out. The guy plays fundamentally sound basketball, high IQ and versatile game, good character guy, awesome passer. he could be like a J-Kidd type guy in a couple of years, a guy who makes everyone better. star potential in the right system and given the right role.</div>

If that's true, and he's such a good player, why didn't he do all these things in Atlanta? A bad team, and getting about 20mpg. I honestly don't think it has anything to do with Diaw making huge strides, but the system he's in. Sure, he's a good player, hard workers, and great guy; but does that deserve 10m/s? I really think the trend of overpaying role players/good players need to stop. I can think of a lot of things I'd rather do with that 10m as a GM.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting rafy:</div><div class="quote_post">If that's true, and he's such a good player, why didn't he do all these things in Atlanta? A bad team, and getting about 20mpg. I honestly don't think it has anything to do with Diaw making huge strides, but the system he's in. Sure, he's a good player, hard workers, and great guy; but does that deserve 10m/s? I really think the trend of overpaying role players/good players need to stop. I can think of a lot of things I'd rather do with that 10m as a GM.</div>
Exactly. I think his best attribute is he's highly coachable. The Suns' assistants are known to be great shooting teachers, esp. with big men and that's a big part of Diaw's emergence. He's got a great court IQ, but who doesn't when playing with Nash everyday. Pat Burke even looked good on a few plays when Nash set him up. Diaw's good, and he'll be a big part of this years success, but I don't think he's deserving of $10M yet either. I don't even mind him going to free agency if that means saving $10M towards another free agent or cap room for a trade.

 

System does play a large part in his resurgence, and that's no reason to give him $10,000,000 a season to play basketball. If that were the case, give the coaches a raise too.

More importantly, there are ten more Diaws waiting to join this team and emulate his game. He plays one of the most relaxed games of basketball I think I've ever watched. He grabs some boards, runs hard, and hits jumpers. Any remotely coachable 6'8" player could take this guy's spot, and paying him $10mil is going to throw the pay scale considerably. We'd be hearing sports writers complaining about the deal for years.

 

Amare is coming back, Diaw wont be having all that time playing, and.. Diaw worth 10mil? No way.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting rafy:</div><div class="quote_post">If that's true, and he's such a good player, why didn't he do all these things in Atlanta? A bad team, and getting about 20mpg. I honestly don't think it has anything to do with Diaw making huge strides, but the system he's in. Sure, he's a good player, hard workers, and great guy; but does that deserve 10m/s? I really think the trend of overpaying role players/good players need to stop. I can think of a lot of things I'd rather do with that 10m as a GM.</div>
Hmm, being a rookie, a culture of losing, not getting consistent minutes, lack of team cohesion etc. might have had something to do with that, doncha think? Remember this is the same leauge where Kenyon Martin can make $18m/yr. and Keith Van Horn $15m/yr. I would argue compared to those guys he is a good deal. With the way the game is going, his game is really suited to it, he has one of the best touches for a big guy that you will see and again, IQ, IQ, IQ. IT's always a gamble, but not a bad one, because at WORST you're getting a very solid contributor, at best - who knows what kind of player he could evolve into, the next Jason Kidd? Kirilenko? There's very little potential for wasted dollars with him. The other problem i have is that when you hear "so and so is asking for $10m a year" - what that means is so-and-so sat down with his agent and his agent said "let's start you as a $10m guy and see who bites", what's he going to say, NO? player is made out to be too cocky for demanding such a salary when in reality it is not so black and white and most likely the agent is the one throwing the $10m figure around while most likely the player is sitting there wide-eyed saying "you think i can get that much?"

 

I think he is worth nearly $10 million per year, not quite, but close enough that I'll argue for it.

Now, I understand $10 million is a lot of dough. The maximum he can get is $12 million, so he's asking near maximum. To put it another way: if your starting 5 made $10 million each, you'd be at the cap ($53 million this year). Steve Nash makes about $11 million with $1 million raises per year.

Still, Diaw is worth it. Diaw is pretty unique, so it's hard to draw accurate comparisons. The player he's probably most similar to is Brad Miller or Vlade Divac in that he is a big forward/center who passes. Brad Miller makes over $10 million a year at over 30. Vlade Divac, with career averages of 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, made over $12 million per year in his prime. Jalen Rose, back when he was good, had a max contract ($16 mil) to his name as a passing big guard. Diaw posted averages of 13 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block per game. Pretty comparable; even if he is a bit shorter than those guys, does he really play any worse defensively?

Diaw will, as many noted, lose his numbers and his touches to Stoudamire. His scoring is bound to dip, and he's not going to get as many rebounds. But his main strength isn't really scoring, but his team play. With his good team play, he won't lose his assists, continue to play good defense, allows the Suns to play small or big.

Is he a good investment for the Suns? They already have four starters - Marion, Stoudamire, Nash, and Bell locked up until at least 2008-2009. Diaw's only making about $2 million right now, but that's from his rookie scale contract. If I were them, I would sign him for 3-4 years for maybe a tad under $10, as there's not going to be much cap flexibility anyway.

 

I dont get how the whole "its only the system" as an argment as to why he isnt worth it. The suns are paying him to play in their system. Even if it is only the system, then he will continue to play well for phoenix, which is what they pay him to do. 10 mil isnt bad at all for a young guy that will likely be replacing Marion within the next few years.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phunDamentalz:</div><div class="quote_post">Hmm, being a rookie, a culture of losing, not getting consistent minutes, lack of team cohesion etc. might have had something to do with that, doncha think? Remember this is the same leauge where Kenyon Martin can make $18m/yr. and Keith Van Horn $15m/yr. I would argue compared to those guys he is a good deal.</div>

A sophmore*, he's played basketball his entire life. His mother is a famous french basketball player. As a sophmore in one of the worst teams in the league. he should be able to to do better then then 5 ppg 2 apg and 2 rpg in 18 minutes of play. There are plenlty of examples of good players on bad teams, and their stats are always bloated, I could give you a lot of examples, but I don't think their is a need. Obviously he's a lot better then that, and inconsistent minutes had a lot to do with it, but he's not worth 10m. Of course, a lot of players are overpaid. But just because other clubs do it, doesn't mean Pheonix should do it. And almost all the time, clubs regret overpaying.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With the way the game is going, his game is really suited to it, he has one of the best touches for a big guy that you will see and again, IQ, IQ, IQ. IT's always a gamble, but not a bad one, because at WORST you're getting a very solid contributor, at best - who knows what kind of player he could evolve into, the next Jason Kidd? Kirilenko? There's very little potential for wasted dollars with him.</div>

I'm not debating that he's good. But honestly, where the hell did jason kidd and AK come from? Off one season of basketball, he suddenly has the potential to be a jason kidd? Before he came to phx, he was absoloutely nobody in the NBA. now at best he could be jason kidd?

Sergio Rodriguez is a really good playmaker and offensive weapon. Obviously the next pistol pete. Once his rookie contract is done, lets give him near max.

As far as paying 10m dollars for a solid contributor, well, whatever you feel is best. As far as im concerned there is a lot of potential for wasted dollars. I'd much rather sign and trade him to a good team, and get another young prospect and expiring contract, or maybe some picks. But for what Diaw brings to the table, I would NOT be willing to give him near max, especially considering the talent phx already has.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The other problem i have is that when you hear "so and so is asking for $10m a year" - what that means is so-and-so sat down with his agent and his agent said "let's start you as a $10m guy and see who bites", what's he going to say, NO? player is made out to be too cocky for demanding such a salary when in reality it is not so black and white and most likely the agent is the one throwing the $10m figure around while most likely the player is sitting there wide-eyed saying "you think i can get that much?"</div>

I'm not even disagreeing with you here. But we were talking about if the suns "WOULD" sign him for 10m. Not if it's his bargaining tactic. I'm sure you're right about this, but if he would be signed for 10m, is what I was talking about.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">You can justify paying Diaw $10M per season, especially when he's far better than some other players making similar money. But I think you have to look at Phoenix situation if your Diaw, and figure out a fair contract, but also give the team room to manuver financially. </div>

Just because Isiah signs jerome james to a huge contract, when he doesn't deserve a fourth of it, or adonal foyle getting about 7m/s, or KVH 15m/s, does that really mean Diaw deserves 10m? Just because he's much better then those guys? I honestly don't believe so. Just because other GM's don't make the best decisions with their cap space, doesn't mean the suns should, imo.

This trend just has to stop. As an owner, I'd rather have that 10m in my pocket, then give it to someone who doesn't deserve it.

 

Diaw had a heck of a season last year but like everybody says I dont' think he deserves a 10 million dollar contract. That is a lot of money for somebody that won't see as much playing time as he did last year since Amare is coming back. They should just play him this year and see what kind of year he has and then base his pay on this year and this year only. Right now he deserves about 5-7 million dollars a year. I wish I could have 5-7 million a year to play basketball!!!

 

Are you serious?? Boris Diaw was a one hit wonder who did good for one season. That's it. Once Amare is healthy, Diaw will be riding the bench. $10 million a year? So if I avg. 2pts/3rbs/2asts should they pay me $6 million a year?? Of course not. The man did good but isn't worth that much. Atlanta should resign him so we can see how he REALLY does on a bad team. He probably won't even play.

 

<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Are you serious?? Boris Diaw was a one hit wonder who did good for one season. That's it. Once Amare is healthy, Diaw will be riding the bench. $10 million a year? So if I avg. 2pts/3rbs/2asts should they pay me $6 million a year?? Of course not. The man did good but isn't worth that much. Atlanta should resign him so we can see how he REALLY does on a bad team. He probably won't even play.</div>

The only way you can call Boris a one hit wonder is if last season turns out to be his only good year. Nobody ever callls a band a one hit wonder unless many years down the line they never come out with another hit song. Nobody knows the future.

Once Amare is healthy seems to be an even bigger uncertainty right now, thus it might be a good idea to have some depth. If anything Diaw would be a sixth man and having him and barbosa coming off the bench sounds really good to me.

Your stats make no sense unless you only want to count his first, two years in the league. Guess what, he is not asking for 10mil because of what he did in those two seasons. Furthermore he averaged 5 more points per game in the playoffs, and created match-up headaches for every team.


What this whole issue comes down to is the management policy the Suns are sticking too. They don't want to get into bad contracts period. They willl be looking to trade Kurt Thomas this season and what they get in return will probably be a good indicator of where they stand with Diaw.

The Gamble: You pay Diaw the 10mil and he has a great career all is well, bad career= you lost the bet. However, if you don't pay him and he follows last year with an equal or better year, someone else maxes out his contract and you lose out. I think he is worth the gamble for many teams if this we had the wallet of the New York Knicks this would already be a done deal IMO.


The bottum line is the fact that we are all debating this and are somewhat split half and half means that Diaw's agent is making a smart "Business" move that teams will consider.

 

Boris was no 1 hit wonder; he's got a killer all-around game. And Atlanta Hawks use to be a bad team.

 

<div class="quote_poster">*Scotch Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The only way you can call Boris a one hit wonder is if last season turns out to be his only good year. Nobody ever callls a band a one hit wonder unless many years down the line they never come out with another hit song. Nobody knows the future.

Once Amare is healthy seems to be an even bigger uncertainty right now, thus it might be a good idea to have some depth. If anything Diaw would be a sixth man and having him and barbosa coming off the bench sounds really good to me.

Your stats make no sense unless you only want to count his first, two years in the league. Guess what, he is not asking for 10mil because of what he did in those two seasons. Furthermore he averaged 5 more points per game in the playoffs, and created match-up headaches for every team.


What this whole issue comes down to is the management policy the Suns are sticking too. They don't want to get into bad contracts period. They willl be looking to trade Kurt Thomas this season and what they get in return will probably be a good indicator of where they stand with Diaw.

The Gamble: You pay Diaw the 10mil and he has a great career all is well, bad career= you lost the bet. However, if you don't pay him and he follows last year with an equal or better year, someone else maxes out his contract and you lose out. I think he is worth the gamble for many teams if this we had the wallet of the New York Knicks this would already be a done deal IMO.


The bottum line is the fact that we are all debating this and are somewhat split half and half means that Diaw's agent is making a smart "Business" move that teams will consider.</div>

K...If you actually think about it he is right. If we dont' sign him now and he has another big year then another team will pay him 10 mil or more. So we should take a chance and sign him for 9-10 mil. Look what he did for us last year. Without Diaw we would have never even got close to the Western Conference Finals. My favorite player is Mariion but he disappears when Playoff time comes around. And Diaw stepped his game up and become a leader for the team along with Nash and Bell. Look at Tim Thomas for instance, He had a huge playoffs and he got a nice contract from L.A. Just for the playoffs. He didn't really perform all that well during the Season. So now that I have sat and thought about it, We really need to sign Boris to a 3-5 year contract so we can win a championship. We will win a championship with Nash, Marion, Diaw, Bell, Barbosa, and STAT all playing together. Oh and about trading Kurt Thomas. They won't. They need a big guy down there that is willing to do all of the dirty work like rebounding and taking charges.

 

They aren't gonna win a championship just cuz they resign him. Diaw can avg. consistent numbers but for $10 million a year. Well nowadays people like Brian Grant get that kind of money for being injured. I guess your right and it's worth it.

 

<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">They aren't gonna win a championship just cuz they resign him. Diaw can avg. consistent numbers but for $10 million a year. Well nowadays people like Brian Grant get that kind of money for being injured. I guess your right and it's worth it.</div>Brian Grant is a slightly different situation here. When he signed his huge deal, he'd never really had any health issues. Beyond that, he was putting up solid numbers, though they were not numbers that would necessarily justify that contract. But, the thing is, quaity big guys come at a premium in this league. It's very difficult to find one, and when you have one or could potentially be in the market for one, you have to throw a good amount of cash at them. That's why we saw KMart land that max deal. That's why we saw Nene land a $60mil deal over the summer. That's why Tyson Chandler got one the year before. That's why the likes of Foyle and Dampier each got huge contracts. The fact of the matter is that a quality big guy is the most difficult thing to find in today's market. At that point in his career, Brian Grant was one of those. That's why he had all that money thrown at him. Plus, it's not like you can predict injury issues like he had. If they could, do you think the Magic would have ever went after Grant Hill? Or how about the Reds getting Griffey Jr. Probably not.

 

If we look at this from Boris' point of view it makes sense he is asking 10mil. He has a killer season, he is feeling confident, and it's negotiation time. There is no way he expects that last season was his best to offer. If you deny him this contract he will have even more motivation to have an even better year. In doing this he will probably opt to test the market, and with the likes of organizations such as the Knicks, Lakers, and Mavs, it would be a no-brainer in signing him.

Joe Johnson slipped through the Suns hands and into those hands dropped the Most Improved Player of the Year. I don't think we can chance another slip especially when all the success we had last year was without STAT. Take Boris away from the picture last year and we lose to the Lakers in round 1.