<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Why would anybody want Jim Paxson's job? Paxson, the Cleveland Cavaliers' general manager, is being ripped for allowing forward Carlos Boozer to escape as a free agent to the Utah Jazz. Boozer was a second-round pick by the Cavaliers in the 2002 NBA Draft. Despite being a three-year star at Duke, he was ignored in the first round because many NBA teams believed he was too unathletic and small at 6-foot-8 (which is his true height, though he is listed as 6-9) to excel at power forward. But Paxson saw Boozer's potential and signed him to a two-year guaranteed contract for $989,000 (more than the minimum salary awarded to most second-rounders) with a team option for the third year. Boozer turned out to be a steal. He averaged 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds last year and earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. But Boozer was apparently worried about his longterm financial future. That's why he asked the Cavaliers to cancel their option for next season and instead allow him to become a free agent. In that case, Boozer promised (according to sources -- and common sense) that he would then re-sign with the Cavaliers for as much as $41 million over six years, the maximum they could offer a free agent with fewer than three years experience under their salary-cap constraints. Paxson held all the cards on this deal. He could have ignored Boozer's pleas and forced him to fulfill the team option at a salary of $695,000 in 2004-05. Next summer Boozer would have been a restricted free agent, giving the Cavs the right to pay him as much as they wished along with the ability to match any offer Boozer received. Instead, Paxson and Cleveland owner Gordon Gund nullified their option. They gambled on Boozer's word and set him free. According to a source who was in the room at the time the verbal deal was struck, Boozer told Gund, "If you respect me by not picking up the option, I'll show trust and loyalty to you by signing with you." But instead of keeping to his word, Boozer agreed this week to a six-year, $68 million contract with Utah. (I tried, through a variety of sources, to give Boozer's agent, Rob Pelinka an opportunity to respond, but I was unable to reach him.) Cleveland cannot match the offer because the Cavaliers are over the salary cap. The only way Cleveland could retain Boozer would be to dump several players and create more than $10 million of cap space, because Pelinka negotiated an offer that is front-loaded to make it that much harder for Cleveland to match. "This is the worst thing I've ever seen," a top NBA agent told me. A respected NBA team executive confirmed the opinion in a separate conversation. "There is no honor in this," the agent said. "You don't shake a man's hand, get him to do something nice for you, and then turn around and screw him." The executive echoed the sentiments. "That was so bad. [Boozer and his agent] convinced Cleveland to let them out, and then instead of saying thanks, they said, '(expletive) you.'" Paxson is being taken to task in the press for allowing Boozer to escape, but the short-sighted duplicity of a basketball player is the least of his troubles. Paxson's wife, Candice, has spent the past year fighting central nervous system lymphoma, a rare form of brain cancer. This week Jim and Candice flew to Portland, Ore., for the funeral of Candice's daughter-in-law from a previous marriage, Tina Kosmos, who died of cancer. Paxson was trying to console his wife and family in-between calls from Pelinka, who, according to a source, matter-of-factly explained how he was reneging on his agreement with the Cavaliers. Speculation has held that LeBron James is angry with Paxson for losing Boozer. Not true, says James' agent, Aaron Goodwin. "LeBron gave his thumbs up (to the plan enabling Boozer to become a free agent) because he believed his friend just wanted to be taken care of," says Goodwin. "He thought it was great that the Cavs wanted to help him out." Goodwin says that James was "disheartened" when he realized that Boozer was exploiting his free agency by negotiating with other teams. Goodwin adds -- and I've confirmed this with other sources -- that Gund took personal responsibility for approving the plan to make Boozer a free agent. "My understanding is that Carlos, his wife and Pelinka all gave their words to Paxson and Gordon Gund that Boozer would re-sign with Cleveland," Goodwin says. "By letting him become a free agent, Gordon was saying, 'I'm doing this to help the Boozer family, not just Carlos.' "Gordon Gund isn't stupid. He knew there was a chance Boozer would leave if he let him out of his $700,000 contract. But he was [telling] the kid 'I respect you and I care about you and your family.' For him to get slapped in the face is wrong; even as an agent I have to say it's wrong. I talk to Gordon and I hear the devastation in his voice because he's from the old school, where if someone says something to you, you take him at his word. "What Rob Pelinka did," said Goodwin, "was he figured out a way to get his guy out of his contract. And he lied to do it." One can spin this any number of ways, but here's how I see it. On the court Boozer appears to be a player of integrity because he plays and practices hard. But if I were Paxson, I'd be glad he was gone. His integrity has a price tag of $30 million -- money that Boozer could have made up over the long run by playing alongside James. I'm sure Paxson has his share of enemies who will accuse him of being tough, and possibly unfair, in negotiations; most of the contracts in this league are conducted on the edge. Some people will also point out that the Cavaliers were trying to sign Boozer to a smaller contract than he could have negotiated next summer. But Boozer and his agent made their choice. Instead of rewarding Paxson, they are punishing the GM for doing a good deed. The Cavaliers will now try to fill their power forward vacancy by applying their $5 million free-agent salary exception to either Antonio McDyess, who is coming off three injury-ruined years, or Vin Baker (represented by Goodwin), who is looking for a one-year opportunity to raise his stock. But those are short-term answers. Over the long haul, you have to wonder if Jim Paxson, given all that he and his wife have been through in the last year, will simply say life's too short to be involved in this dirty business.</div> http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=than...cnnsi&type=lgns
Great article. It really paints a grim picture of how free agents are ruining the game of basketball and how money has corrupted the integrity of the game. Of all the players in the league, I would have not choosen Boozer to be one to back stab the team who gave him a chance in the league and did him a favor to help him and his family out. After all Boozer comes from the legendary Duke University program, where the head coach, Mike K. just turned down a lucrative offer to stay with the team who's been loyal to him. Boozer is also a player who sacrifices on the court for his teammates and plays hard night in and night out. The image and reputation he worked hard for has been trashed because of his greed, and the greed of his agent. The Boo in Boozer is no longer going to be said in a cheering tone, instead the boos are now going to be vicious reminders of how he sold himself, his fans, his teammates, and his former organization out because he couldn't wait another 12 months. PATHETIC. I wouldn't be surprised if this agent gets black balled across the league for being unethical with one of the more respected owner's in the league. The repurcussions of this deal are going to be felt and both Boozer and this Pelinka character are going to find out first hand "Karma is a bitch."
Wow. That is just plain shady. I cant even think of a word to describe that. Its not like there is a big difference between 40 and 60 million. Sure, it is 20 million, but damn.
Where does this rank on the All Time Cleveland sports betrayal? Cleveland Browns being sold to and becoming the Baltimore Ravens Cleveland Indians dismantling their roster, including Manny Ramirez, Brian Giles, Richie Sexson, David Justice, Bartolo Colon Benedict Boozer
Just a random thought. Boozer hasn't signed Utah's offer sheet yet (can't until July 14 obviously). Also, both Boozer and his agent have been silent since news of this broke. I have yet to see a single quote from either of them since this happened. Only from Utah's GM, and from Paxson. So, what if Boozer changes his mind? He apparently did it once, could it happen again? I mean he and his agent are getting hammered by this. Not just by Cleveland fans, but by fans around the league, even by other agents and other GMs. Will he talk to any of his friends on the team (LeBron, etc.) between now until July 14? Could any of them convince him to reject Utah's offer? Could he convince himself? Also, do you think this was this the plan all along? Wiggle out of the contract and then take the first big offer he got, knowing SOMEONE would offer him a big deal? Or, did Boozer think he knew himself better, think that he really wouldn't go after a big deal, but then found he couldn't resist? It makes you wonder. I would really like to get a quote from Boozer.
yeah there's a small hope that none of this is boozer's doing, it's all secondhand info and/or his agent was the one who did all the dealings small hope
Not only that, but Boozer and his agent are are getting a lot of heat from other GMs and agents. I mean his agent (Rob Pelinka) is also KOBE'S agent (among others), and is trying to work out a big deal for Kobe with a team this offseason. But now other GMs and even other AGENTS are stepping up and saying what a horrible thing this was? How bad does it get before Pelinka says "I better not let Boozer do this, or my credibility is going to be ruined." People may not like agents because they're always trying to get the most money and don't care about anything else. But they DO care about that credibility. They need it to make the big deals. Some people say this kind of stuff happens all the time in sports, but you know what? It doesn't. Not like this. You don't have other GMs and other agents dissing guys like this and saying "this is the worst thing I've ever seen". Look at what Boozer said above. Look at the position he put the Cavs in. I still think there's a chance (not a huge one, but a chance) that Boozer or his agent doesn't let this happen next week.
Boozer is gone, he aint comming back. I mean the damage is done. I envy the first game he plays at the gund.
Interesting perspective Mad Hatter, however, the fact Boozer nor his agent has held a press conference to clear the air would concern me as a Cav fan. The story has been reported in numerous media outlets, and if there was going to be any denials, it would have come out already. In the next 7 days, will Boozer and his agent be pressured enough to once again back out of an offer? It's a Catch 22 for both people, because they are going to be roasted with what ever decision they come up with. Scenario 1 - Boozer decides he was in the wrong and wants to stick to his original agreement and sign with the Cavs. Do the Cavs even want him back at this point? The fans will eventually forgive him, but what impact will it play down the line when they have to deal with their other young free agents ... namely LeBron. To make matters worse, he would have broken a promise to the Utah Jazz and their fans, and now would have to face criticism from that faction. Scenario 2 - Boozer cuts his losses and moves on to the Jazz. He's paid in full, but will experience a lot of uncomfortable treatment from fans, owners, sponsors, and other NBA players throughout his career. This is going to effect him on the court, and he's going to feel the stress of having to be great every night, or get written about in the sports media world. At this point Pelinka's credibility goes out the door, and once a Sports Agent loses that, and the little respect they have from their peers, you can put a fork in their career. The public criticism he's taken has already tainted his rep, and if they decide to go through with the Jazz offer, it's going to hurt Pelinka with the rest of his clients.
Im going out of a limb and saying that there is NO hope for Boozer turning this down. Theres a buttload of money waiting to be given to him in another city and he will make the move. We all should just move on and look to see who is avaliable. Antonio McDyess Vin Baker Chris Anderson Kenyon Martain (ha) Those are my new canidates. Lets see what Paxon can do to fix his name.
Shape, I think in scenario 1, if he turns down Utah, most people will forgive him. I would. Utah will feel snubbed but they have to remember he hasn't signed anything official with them yet. Also I wouldn't worry about how it affects LeBron because I think everyone knows LeBron is just going to get the max possible deal and by then, we will be able to match any deal and go over the cap to do it, so I doubt LeBron is going anywhere for a long time, if ever. Plus LeBron makes a decent amount already for going #1 (and is rich beyond imagination anyway with all the endorsements), whereas Boozer was stuck with a second round contract and no big endorsements (yet). So I definitely want Boozer back if he turns down Utah's offer sheet. On the other hand, if he signs their offer sheet, I definitely do NOT want him back. And I definitely think this will greatly damage or even ruin Pelinka's career if he lets this go down. I mean let's face it, these kind of "handshake" deals (like the one they made with Paxson/Gund) go down all the time with agents and GMs. Things like "oh, well I know you want Client A, but I also have Client B who needs a team, but look, if you sign Client B I'll make sure you get Client A." They happen behind closed doors and usually don't hit the public but they happen. So I agree, that credibility is VERY important to agents. I mean I don't think I've ever seen a bunch of agents dissing one agent like this before.
Boozer killed Paxon and Gund. THey help his family out by doing him a favor and he kicks them in the ass and leaves. THis is wrong, just wrong, No one should be like that. I don't care who you are. Thats just a greedy son of a bitch. Boozer goto hell, take your damn money.
as a wiz fan i hav to say hahahahaha. u guys got skooled...altho unfairly. now the wiz hav a better shot at making the playoffs next season. i think you guys are going to look at our etan thomas also, as well as stromile swift.
Wow this is crazy, and the Cavs had a really bright future ahead of them... honestly why would Boozer do this. I always thought higher of him than this... this is truly jaw dropping.
another wiz fan here. i guess we all migrate to misery. promises just ain't what they use to be. i bet sam woulda never reneged on his promise to look after frodo....if he did the lord of the rings woulda never been a trilogy!
Some guys are just bad people. This stigma will follow him around for the rest of his career (see CWebb).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KingCarmelo:</div><div class="quote_post">cwebb? what he do?</div> Where do you start? Blow the NCAA Championship, then leave. Screw up a great team that Don Nelson put together in Golden State. Get Juwan Howard to sign with his team, then leaves in free agency the next year. And now he continues to drag down the Kings every year. Career loser.
