<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "NBA Burning Questions":</div><div class="quote_post">Why wait? This was one of those rare instances when both sides wanted to get a deal done. Detroit didn?t want to lose Robinson on the free agent market next summer, and Uncle Cliffy liked it in Motown -? especially since the Pistons have expressed an interest in keeping him with the organization in some capacity after his playing days. Typically in such cases, one side at least wants to wait and "explore its options." The Pistons, for example, could have decided to wipe Robinson?s $8.4 million salary off its books this summer. With a few additional moves, maybe they could have cleared some $7 million or so in cap room to make a run at a free agent. Apparently Detroit GM Joe Dumars decided Robinson was a better overall fit at two years and $10 million than anybody else out there. Robinson, meanwhile, could have waited to test his value on the open market. As a versatile big man and savvy veteran, he would have had no shortage of suitors. But most teams are over the salary cap, and therefore able to offer at best a contract starting at the midlevel exception, expected to be around $4.6 million. Also, at age 36, Robinson wasn?t likely to get more than three years. This way, the Pistons lock up a key member of their rotation, a 6-foot-10 player who can play a number of positions and roles. They also get the added benefit of a lower cap number ($4.7 million) as opposed to a "cap hold" figure of over $9 million had they waited to re-sign him after the season. Finally, by getting him at a relatively cheap rate, they free up spare cash to pay free agents Richard Hamilton and Jon Barry while staying under the luxury tax. As for Robinson, he comes out OK, too. He gets security now, a chance to play for an NBA title contender, and perhaps a coaching or front office gig with the Pistons after he hangs up his sneakers. </div> http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketbal...ning_questions/
