B-Roy
If it takes months
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I've been thinking about this recently, but the more I think about it the more it makes sense. I think the Blazers should extend Meyers Leonard this offseason to a 4-year deal worth anywhere from 9 to 12 million (depending on how negotiations go) a year. And I would advocate this regardless of whether or not we resign LMA/Lopez/Matthews etc., but it obviously makes more sense if our free agents are gone. Sounds crazy to give a $10 million per year extension to a guy people wanted to cut a year ago for basically a half season's body of work but here's the reasoning...
1. It has no effect on our cap space this year. His contract is set for 2015-2016, it would only affect 2016 and beyond.
2. The salary cap is going to go up in 2016.....a lot. That $10 million dollars in 2016 is only gonna be worth $7 million in today's NBA. This gives us the chance to lock up a key contributor in his youth for a possible bargain. If Aldridge and or Lopez leaves, Leonard's role obviously increases, and makes the deal that much better. If not, he's still going to be a solid 6th/7th man even if he doesn't improve upon this year.
3. Similar players in today's CBA got paid similarly. 30 year old Channing Frye got 8 million a year. Marvin Williams got a 2 year/14 million dollar contract. Given Leonard's youth, ability to play center, and athleticism, surely he's worth at least as much as Channing Frye.
4. His deal will impact our capspace in 2016, but honestly capspace is overrated, especially for Portland. Literally EVERY team will have cap space in 2016, and unless Olshey believes we can sign two max free agents in the summer of 16, that capspace is going to be irrelevant. We're not competing on the free agent front with the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls etc....
5. Gives us some roster stability. Literally the only two players that are guaranteed to be here the next few years are Lillard and McCollum.
Now I obviously understand he's not worth 10 or 12 million at the moment, but young players showing signs of growth (especially bigs) are rarely paid what they're worth at the moment. There's always the chance that even if they offer an extension, he gambles on next season (more likely if LMA leaves). I would still push for a deal regardless. Throw some incentives to try and get him to sign. Hell give him a player option on that last year if he wants. If he decides to turn it down then we're SOL, but I think security for his family is incredibly important to him. This deal would basically guarantee him that.
What do you think?
1. It has no effect on our cap space this year. His contract is set for 2015-2016, it would only affect 2016 and beyond.
2. The salary cap is going to go up in 2016.....a lot. That $10 million dollars in 2016 is only gonna be worth $7 million in today's NBA. This gives us the chance to lock up a key contributor in his youth for a possible bargain. If Aldridge and or Lopez leaves, Leonard's role obviously increases, and makes the deal that much better. If not, he's still going to be a solid 6th/7th man even if he doesn't improve upon this year.
3. Similar players in today's CBA got paid similarly. 30 year old Channing Frye got 8 million a year. Marvin Williams got a 2 year/14 million dollar contract. Given Leonard's youth, ability to play center, and athleticism, surely he's worth at least as much as Channing Frye.
4. His deal will impact our capspace in 2016, but honestly capspace is overrated, especially for Portland. Literally EVERY team will have cap space in 2016, and unless Olshey believes we can sign two max free agents in the summer of 16, that capspace is going to be irrelevant. We're not competing on the free agent front with the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls etc....
5. Gives us some roster stability. Literally the only two players that are guaranteed to be here the next few years are Lillard and McCollum.
Now I obviously understand he's not worth 10 or 12 million at the moment, but young players showing signs of growth (especially bigs) are rarely paid what they're worth at the moment. There's always the chance that even if they offer an extension, he gambles on next season (more likely if LMA leaves). I would still push for a deal regardless. Throw some incentives to try and get him to sign. Hell give him a player option on that last year if he wants. If he decides to turn it down then we're SOL, but I think security for his family is incredibly important to him. This deal would basically guarantee him that.
What do you think?
