http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/502...vated_by_money/ To Phil Jackson, it really is pretty simple why Andrew Bynum has been driven to succeed this season. "My guess is contract," Jackson deadpanned. "Dollars are green. The idea is that, 'Hey, it's coming up. I've got to get something that's contractual here. This process is real short.' " Bynum is making $2.1 million this season, and the Lakers picked up his option for $2.7 million next season. But the big money could come this summer, when Bynum can sign a maximum contract for up to $75 million. That would keep Bynum in the fold for five more seasons. Jackson talked about a promise Bynum made to the Lakers when he was drafted during the summer of 2005. "Even though he was 17 years old and inexperienced, he was going to work as hard as he could with this process and he was going to commit himself to it," Jackson said. Too much or not? Imo they should NOT max his contract out! they should leave some space for team improvement. I say give him 10 - 12m per year! BTW: We should simply swithc Bynums and Kwame's contracts. Kwame's contract of 9m a year expires and we resign him to 2M then we give bynum 10M a year from 2.7M
Al Jefferson took a paycut, he signed a 5 year deal worth 65 million, I believe. Honestly, it all depends on the market. Obviously you would want to get a reasonable deal for Bynum, I don't really think he is a max player yet, maybe in the future, but whenever you have a young promising big, you've got to lock him up. Luckily, we've got Kareem, Phil, and guys like Derek and Kobe to keep him in check. Hopefully the money doesn't get to him. An interesting thought, if we sign Bynum to the 5 year deal, by the time his contract ends, he will only be 25 years old, still two or three years away from his prime
If we need to pay him that much to keep him we do it. The fact of the matter is that big men like him don't come around that often, and if we can wrap him up for the long term, we do it. I'd like to sign him for less, maybe 5yr, $50-60mil, but if we need to max him, we do it. He's having a great season and looks like he's going to be one of the most dominant big men in the league for years to come, and that's not something we can pass up.
It might be too much, but if he asks for it, he's probably going to get it. And if they don't sign him for that kind of money he'll go to a team that will. And there will be a team willing to do it.
And that's precisely my point as well Tim. Regardless of whether or not we want to or whether he's currently worth that money, it's all a matter of keeping him. And quite frankly, if we need to pay him that massive amount money to keep him, we do it. A big man with his size, skill, and athleticism don't come around too often, and you have to keep them when you have them.
We shouldn't max him out and he shouldn't request for a max deal either. I'm hoping Kobe leads by example, opts out and takes a reduction in his salary just like Duncan did. Both Kobe and Bynum are young enough to develop a dynasty again in LA, but they'll need cap flexibility to surround themselves with the right role players.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jan 11 2008, 01:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>We shouldn't max him out and he shouldn't request for a max deal either. I'm hoping Kobe leads by example, opts out and takes a reduction in his salary just like Duncan did. Both Kobe and Bynum are young enough to develop a dynasty again in LA, but they'll need cap flexibility to surround themselves with the right role players.</div> I hope and think he'd do that too... imo he'd take something like 9.5 - 10M a year when he resigns... Then we have anough money to sign Lebron Lakers 3: Kobe - LBJ - Bynum vs. Bostons 3: Allen - Pierce - KG LOL!
Well when Tim Duncan took a paycut, he still was making much more than 10 mill per year. He is turning 32 in April, and will get paid an average of 20 mill for this year and the next 4. It would probably be smart for the Lakers to limit his minutes next year, so they can make teams cautious of offering a max contract to him. Then try to get him for somewhere around 10 mill range.
i really hope we get to lock andrew as soon as its time to negotiate for a contract. once we trade or resign (lesser money, maybe the MLE or less) kwame then either trade or resign odom when the time comes... i dont think we'll have any problem with the cap
