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?
I am overall amenable to that idea, however I think both his camp and the Blazers might want a shorter deal. I assume an extension does not have to be 4 years but I could be wrong. I am thinking 3 years for 20-25 mil, If its for 4 years I have go lower then you because he is far from "proven", perhaps 4 years for 25-30 mil
I believe we have until the end of October to extend him, I would wait until the last possible moment. See how he comes into training camp and the preseason. Extending during the summer might take a little offseason motivation from him.
Don't think there's a chance in hell he accepts that. The Blazers have to overpay for potential. Way I see though is there's 4 scenarios: 1. He regresses, terrible deal. 2. He stays the same, bad deal, but hardly franchise crippling. 3. He improves a little, worth the contract. 4. He improves a lot, Olshey looks like a genius. Reward > Risk IMO.
Why don't we just sign his Qualifying Offer to make him restricted then see what the market dictates and decide to match/decline..?
Sounds like a good idea but let's see what the cap situation is like after we try to sign Lamarcus and Wesley.
What's the rush? The kid just got married. Give him that kind of money and he might start drinking like a fish!
Maybe we should trade him... I'm starting to think that if we're gonna try to contend next year we should try and Bulls some sort of package around 2 of CJ/Meyers/Batum + filler and trying to get another all star. We could use Afflalo as our backup SG and resign our guys and then use the MLE to fill out the bench. I don't know who said all star would be but if it's available shouldn't we go for one?
Remember the Luke Babbit and Steve Novak craze at the end of Kaleb Canales' season? That's the worst case scenario. I think Meyers will be fine but let's not get carried away. Good thing is he's made people believe he can play basketball. He's a keeper but he's not a max salary guy just yet.
