News From the Ben Gordon Extension Front

MOUNT VERNON - Ben Gordon hopes to be able to work out a contract extension with the Chicago Bulls before the team's Oct. 31 season opener against the Nets.<div class="body_art">

Gordon, 24, is about to embark on the final year of the four-year rookie contract he signed with the Bulls in 2004 after getting drafted out of Connecticut.</p>

"The Bulls have an opportunity to extend my contract with them this summer," Gordon said yesterday. "So I'm hoping something gets done and I won't have to wait another year to see what's going to happen. I've done everything possible I could have done to help my team get to the playoffs, and I think it's up to them right now to see if they want to make a long-term commitment."</p>

Gordon already has changed agents as he seeks his new contract. He left Billy Ceisler and is now represented by Raymond Brothers, who's based out of Los Angeles.</p>

Without going into specific dollar amounts and revealing how much he thinks he's worth, the former Mount Vernon High standout simply said he wants to be compensated fairly.</p>

"If you look at other players around the league that are doing things similar to what I've done in my past year and throughout my career, I just want to get that equal respect," said Gordon, who'll become a restricted free agent after the upcoming season if he fails to sign an extension. "And that's all it's really about. The money I make is going to be more than I've ever made, so it really just boils down to getting your just due and your respect." </p>

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../708260380/1108</p><hr width="100%" size="2" />

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Sounds fair. </p>

Billups got 61 million over 5 years (and the last was a team option, so its not garaunteed).Hamilton got about 50 million I beleive over the last 5 years.Kevin Martin 5 years 55 million.Hinrich got 48 million over 5 years (but apparently he got something for performance incentives that increased this, but I don't think it counts against our cap).Jason Terry, 50 million over 5 years.Tony Parker 58 million over 5. </p>

Sounds fair. He will likely be seeking somewhere in between 50 million and 60 million. I just don't see how Paxson can walk away from this offseason without Gordon extended if he is asking for less than 60 million. Thats just lunacy. He seems like he really wants to get something done this summer. </p>

I think he'll go to the deadline, getting Paxson's final offer, just like Kirk did, but he seems like he really wants to stay in Chicago, and he is one of those level headed guys in the league, that isn't going to make 2 million (when your getting 55 million) break the deal. Yeah, he's going to go to the deadline to get as much as he can, but I highly doubt Ben is going to balk at Paxson's offer.</p>

Luol Deng on the other hand, I think will go to restricted free agency. </p></div>

 

Jason Terry was signed for <u>six</u> years and $58M. I think that's a much better indicator of Gordon's worth than 5/$55M for Martin.</p>

It's also pretty much on-par with Kirk's deal, which is also probably about right.</p>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MikeDC)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Jason Terry was signed for <u>six</u> years and $58M. I think that's a much better indicator of Gordon's worth than 5/$55M for Martin.</p>

It's also pretty much on-par with Kirk's deal, which is also probably about right. </p></div>

I disagree, a somewhat poor indicator. </p>

Just looking at basketball-reference.com, Gordon's scoring ability SHOULD set him around the max. But it looks like we may be able to get him for less than 60 million, which will be a bargain.</p>

Now looking at players with a TS% > 56, and PPG >20, in their 3rd year, here are the results.</p>

THREE active players fit this criteria. Ben Gordon is one of them.....the other two that were able to do that in their 3rd year were Kevin Martin (5 years 55 million on the table), and Dwyane Wade.</p>

Now I was a bit shy on Kevin Martin being a great player before, but now looking at it more closely, it seems like Kevin Martin, while he probably won't ever be the star player that has the moxy of Gordon, he still will have his moments, and could be a Reggie Miller type star. Just think about that. Kobe wasn't as good as Gordon coming out of his 3rd year, T-Mac...no, Ray Allen...don't think so, Michael Redd, no chance, Joe Johnson, yeah right, Paul Pierce...nope. Interesting that one of the only active players to fit the criteria is Kevin Martin, who is also in Gordon's class, which brings up a fair market situation.</p>

Here are the only players that fit the criteria in the shot clock area, OF ALL TIME: Reggie Miller, Kevin Martin, Walter Davis, Penny Hardaway, Rolando Blackman, Hersey Hawkins, Derek Smith, Drazen Petrovic, Kevin Johnson, Dwyane Wade, Ben Gordon, Mitch Richmond, Michael Jordan.</p>

Pretty impressive group of guards there...I think this is a high indicator that Ben will be an all time great, and the <60 million dollar contract that it seems like Ben will get is a complete bargain. </p>

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