<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Several of James' teammates said they will recommend to the team's management that it trade James this summer. Sonics general manager Rick Sund and CEO Wally Walker insist that James still has trade value, particularly since he will be going into the final year of his contract, which would give teams flexibility with the 7-foot-1, 285-pound veteran. However, several league sources have said the word is out about James' habits and that he is undesirable unless another talented player is packaged with him.</div> Full Story
I was under the impression that James would opt out of his final year in an effort to find some consistent PT, and had heard this from a couple of sources. However this is nothing really new, there have always been whispers regarding his work ethic, and there have been a couple of comments made from Ray Allen subtley questioning James' work ethic etc. I don't see who would take him on unless Seattle packagaed someone like Flip or Vlade Radmanovic, and even then it may be hard to get a hell of a lot back. One of Radmanovic and Lewis will be gone this summer. If James does not opt out of his final year, then it may be Vlade who is dangled with him.
Yea James has an opt out and asid before that he would opt out of his contract. If he doesn't then trading him would be good, but who wants him unless you're giving them Ronald Murray or something which has been a deal the Sonics are trying to make, Flip and one of their overpriced big men.
The only reason I think someone would take him on is because he provides a big body in the last year of quite a lucrative deal next season, so a team aquiring him for next season would be able to free some cap space. He can be useful when he does bring his game, but that is very rare and his work ethic does leave a lot to be desired. He is injured currently, and I would be very surprised if he plays another game for Seattle. Nate took a gamble on him, and he hasn't repaid the faith Nate has shown i n him time and time again.
:sighs: yeah...Jerome James disappointed me since last season...he's a slowfest, and he doesn't even give half the effort that Reggie Evans does...I know Reggie isn't a center, but he acts like one more than Jerome James...
^ That is exactly right. Although he'll never be anything more than a roleplayer, Rggie earns respect from the fans, media and his peers just through sheer hard work and effort. Jerome is arguably more talented, and has a real size advantage over a lot of guys in this league, but is lazy and has a poor work ethic. I will take one Reggie Evans over ten Jerome James'.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">James has become persona non grata in the Sonics' locker room, and many of his teammates were hoping he would opt out of his contract and leave. Though many of them decline to speak out publicly against James, privately they are disgusted with his inflated opinion of himself and his lazy habits. Two months ago, several players in the locker room who had already warmed up were sitting at their lockers having a discussion. They had to remind James to go out to the court to warm up. In Atlanta on March 16, James showed up on the court 2 minutes and 40 seconds before warmups were over, took a few jump shots and headed back to the locker room. And Friday night, when the Sonics were facing the Los Angeles Lakers and on the verge of being eliminated from the playoff race, the injured James arrived at the arena 46 minutes before the game. "That's a disgrace," one of his teammates said. "He should have been here an hour ago getting treatment" on his injury.</div> <font size="1">Full Story courtesy of Frank Hughes.</font> On closer examination, I had no idea how unpopular Jerome is/was with his teammates. Can the Sonics afford to bite the bullet and release him , swallowing the last year of his deal?
I know what that was like in my own JV girls bball team...lot of talks...not a lot of actions...I hope they confronted him one on one....not gang up on him though....
