Negotiations, they are no fun
Andrew Bynum's agent David Lee, hoping to get his client signed to a long -erm, max money extension before the start of the season, isn't happy with the state of negotiations, reports the LAT's Mike Bresnahan:
"I just don't get it," he said. "I do not understand certain things that happen. Andrew has taken everything the Lakers have thrown at him, including criticism. He doesn't do anything to respond other than go on the court. He just goes on with his business."
The Lakers had no comment. It's still relatively early in this process, so there's really no reason to read too much into Lee's comments beyond seeing them as a normal part of the game, so to speak. The Lakers and Bynum have until Halloween (spooky!) to get this wrapped up, but even if they don't, it's not like Drew is out the door. He just becomes an RFA next summer, and the Lakers lose the ability to set the market. If someone signs Bynum to an offer sheet that, for whatever reason, is more than L.A. would like to spend, they could still match.
I'm still at DEFCON 5.
BK
Does Bynum's agent represent anyone else? He doesn't seem very good or at least very polished... he's always whining to the press.
Ah, Lamar...
http://tinyurl.com/4anafn
Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | October 16, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Drews agent is a jerk, going public in the middle of the negotiations criticizing Lakers management.
If you want to downgrade the management, doesn't he know you are supposed to do it while on your cell phone, in front of others, while ordering a Burrito.
My suggestion to Bynum: Fire Lee and hire Scott Boras. If your too busy to drive down to Newport Beach to see him in person, you can Email Boras at Scott.Boras@Showmethemeoney.com
True, Scott is a baseball agent, but just the threat of Boras as your agent will cause Mitch to melt and cave in.
Imagine what he can do for Bynum after getting 34 million for the other Drew in LA, Andruw Jones.
Posted by: Fatty | October 16, 2008 at 02:55 PM
just to clear things up for everyone. . Defon 5 is the lowest rating. .right?
I'm not too worried about the negotiations. . I mean, it IS conceivable that Mitch screws this up and David Lee pulls a
David Falk. . but still
its the difference between 78M and 88M from what i've read
AK/BK do you guys hear anything about dollar figures?
Posted by: joninjapan(incanada) | October 16, 2008 at 02:57 PM
STAND FIRM LAKERS!
DON'T GIVE HIM THAT 88 MIL!
Posted by: dan the man | October 16, 2008 at 03:01 PM
If the lakers were smart, they'd let him become a RFA. He's tainted goods until he proves he can get a double double every night, or at least be effective. The number of big men who have gone downhill after knee surgery is long....Chris Webber...Darius Miles...etc..
Speaking of bigs, Robin Lopez started in place of SHACK last night vs. ATL, and netted 9 boards and 9 points. Not quite a double-double, but promising. I think Lopez may get more minutes than Shack this season, and then, Shack can be the veteran presence like PJ Brown was in the Finals.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 16, 2008 at 03:04 PM
LakerTom is, of course, at Defcon 0.1. 2nd wave of missiles fired at any available target, even domestic. :P
I hate Andrew's agent. Everyone sees through him so why must he persist in his annoying ass charade.
Posted by: Benjamin | October 16, 2008 at 03:04 PM
The NBA king of flopping now works for the Serb government.
Divac appointed as Serbian government adviser
Posted Oct 16 2008 10:05AM
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) -- Former NBA star Vlade Divac has become an adviser in Serbia's government.
The 40-year-old says he will be in charge of humanitarian issues and sports, and will work with Vice Premier Ivica Dacic.
The ex-Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings center told reporters Thursday he has taken up the post in order to help promote humanitarian work in Serbia. After retiring from basketball, Divac moved to his native Serbia where he has a business and runs a humanitarian organization.
Posted by: Benjamin | October 16, 2008 at 03:05 PM
couldn't this turn out like the Elton brand situation. even if we do sign him as a free agent this summer, we could anger them to the point where they leave later. we could end up with nothing.
Posted by: locolaker | October 16, 2008 at 03:07 PM
test
Posted by: ak | October 16, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Mamba24, looks like I'll be taking some shots with that gun after all ...
"If Bynum is not signed by the Lakers by the end of this month, he becomes a restricted free agent on July 1. He could then sign an offer sheet with another team for five years and up to $88 million, though the Lakers have the right to match that offer and retain him through the 2013-14 season."
Dude's agent needs to go take a chill pill ... what's the worst that could happen ... we wait till another team signs andrew for 88 mil and then match it? ... t
I'm all for Bynum yo ... my man said he makes us a championship caliber team ... but key word is caliber, we aint a championship team yet ... for all his potential he hasn't really shined on a consistent basis ... so asking the lakers to shell out 88mil that quick is a bit unfair on his agents part ... at least wait until like november before u start crying foul ... urgh!!
And Mitch better not let himself pressured ... if he shels out 88 mil quick and Bynum bombs ... oh wow, next summer could be kobe gate all over again, and this time around #24 will have more leverage ... if he waits till Bynum returns to form, worst that happens is a center with hurt feelings ... but umm that's something this franchise has lived through before ;)
Taliq
Posted by: Taliq | October 16, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Sheesh,
Bynum's accomplishments:
1st year: Rookie year didn't play much.
2nd year: Peaked in Jan. (10-10 guy) then production fell off.
3rd year: After peaking with better results and some signs of potential before knee injury takes him out of the season.
Only award: All Sophomore team (2007 All Star Weekend).
And Lee wants a max extension?? Drew hasn't still yet done a FULL season where he can be dominant. Compare Kobe's first 3 years:
1st year: All Rookie 2nd Team, 1997 Slam Dunk Champion. Averaged 15.5 minutes per game and averaged 7.6 ppg (Similar to Bynum's 2nd season average (7.8ppg)).
2nd year: 1st All Star Selection (Voted as starter). Averaged 26.0 minutes per game and 15.4ppg.
3rd year: No All Star Game (Due to league lock out). But started 50 out of 50 Games and playoffs as well. Averaged 37.9 minutes per game and 19.9ppg. First earned All NBA Team (3rd All NBA Team).
Had Drew accomplished similar results then there would be without a doubt that the Lakers should not be in these negotiations and instead trying to give him the max. Sure he is the future of the franchise but let THIS season show that he is instead of relying on a limited 2007-2008 season to determine his salary.
David Lee: Don't force the issue!
I'm on Defcon 5 too.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobeblitz | October 16, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Bynum is definitely still working his way into playing shape. If I were the Lakers, I'd be hesitant to offer him the max prior to seeing him perform at his pre-injury level.
I'm hoping to see that competitive fire back in his eyes. Less whining at the refs, more attacking the basket with conviction. Dammit, Drew, DUNK on some fools!
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | October 16, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Negotiating is all about who has the leverage and how they utilize it. It's hard to judge an agent in the middle of trying to get something done. The perception of how they handled it is always colored by the result, which we haven't reached it.
Truth is, the Lakers have the leverage. They're totally protected. If Drew plays out of his mind and gets a max offer, my money is on the Lakers matching without hesitation. The only reason they wouldn't is if they didn't feel he was worth it and will have an entire season to look back on and make that judgement.
The thing that is tempering all the contract stuff is the prospect of winning a championship. It's putting the LO and AB situations in a whole different light. All that does is give the Lakers even more leverage. In a league where older players are scrambling to win a ring before they retire, some players would feel silly leaving a contender for a team with enough cap space to afford them that's probably in the lottery.
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 16, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Like I says, the lakers would be dumb to pay bynum one red cent more than what he's currently costing them. Why throw money at an unproven kid who's had knee surgery before he's 21?
bynum's not producing any better than Brian Skinner of the Clips, and we're already deep into the preseason.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 16, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Andrew Bynum's agent must be deep in debt right now, that he can't wait to get his millions of commision on his client. He is the one who is being impatient instead of the basketball player involved. You can see what money can do in this world.
Posted by: dacsila | October 16, 2008 at 03:51 PM
argh! I posted into a black hole again... surely, don't call me Shirley, you guys could get a college intern to clear posts?
Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | October 16, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Estimados aficionados laguneros:
It's good to see that Sasha's work at the defensive end is finally being noticed. He works hard sticking to his man, fighting through screens. He's not a defensive superstar. Russell, West, those were d-stars. But the fact is that Sasha's intensity is consistent with his time on the floor and that tells me that he's not satisfied with just being a pretty outside shooter. And since PJ sees fit to close out games still in question with Sasha on the floor suggests that he doesn't perceive Sasha as a defensive liability. Furthermore, the number of videos exhibiting any given Laker's misplay againsit the Celtics is probably large, and for that reason citing a video highlight of Sasha's defensive misstep in last season's Finals as evidence of his defensive inadequacy is not compelling.
Juan
Posted by: Juan | October 16, 2008 at 03:57 PM
BK,
Do you know anything about David Lee except that he's really pissing off large components of Laker Nation?
I mean, is he anything more than a weasel running down a long plastic coridor, to the best of your knowledge?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 16, 2008 at 04:05 PM
This is the right move by the Lakers organization. Let this kid show us he can stay healthy and focus through ONE entire season before handing over the entire franchise to him on a platter.
Posted by: Mayor of Kobe-Town | October 16, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Ummm... is it time for Laker Nation to begin going to Andrew Bynum's personal website and begin mass mailing him to fire David Lee?
This David Lee trying to bring this thing out into the media reminds me a bit of Terrel Owen's agent.
If you think I won't be sending 100 emails to Andrew a day, try me.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 16, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Is it just me, or does Lam-Od look like the town kook in that pic in the video screen at top right?
I guess you have to deal with the cards your dealt, or deal the joker to another team.
Posted by: BUTLER | October 16, 2008 at 04:13 PM
agents...
(a no-name one at that. somebody wants a hug.)
Posted by: jq | October 16, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Drew, and lots of other disappointed free agents, are not getting the deals they saw their predecessors get mostly because of the Salary Cap and Luxury tax.
The NBA needs to kick both of those to the curb as well as the guaranteed contract.
Teams have too much to risk by signing players to max-money deals. Especially with the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax. Unfortunately, it'll take some marquee names fleeing to Europe or another lockout before this will change.
Truth of the matter is Andrew is not a max money player yet. If he wants his security blanket now, one that covers him regardless of whether that knee buckles again or not, he should take the 78 mil on the table. Quite honestly, it's more than anyone will be offering in free agency next summer regardless.
Andrew, Ben Gordon and Shaun Livingston called, they says take the 78 mil now.
Lamar=Laker until we find a taker (but I've now resigned myself to the fact that no one will give us a worthwhile deal and we'll be stuck with his overpaid, underperforming a$$ all season and it'll probably cost us the championship. I'd still give him up for Gerald Wallace in a heartbeat, a true 3 who can score, defend, and shows up to play every night)
Posted by: htj | October 16, 2008 at 04:15 PM
"David Lee ... isn't happy with the state of negotiations, reports the LAT's Mike Bresnahan."
I could care less if you are happy fool -- AB is a RESTRICTED FA deal with it -- Lakers can match, assuming AB can get it elsewhere. Buss is no dummy, so take a long walk off a short pier Lee.
Posted by: HmrHed | October 16, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Jon-
He's not a weasel, just a player agent trying to get the best deal for his client at a time where he doesn't have the negotiating leverage. It's just basketball business.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 16, 2008 at 04:19 PM
If the Lakers have the right to match any offer and retain Bynum for the full five year period anyway, why do they have ANY incentive to sign the contract extension now?
If he plays well this season, they get to keep him.
If he doesn't play well, or gets injured, then they get to pass.
Should some hurt feelings get in the way of protecting an $88 million investment?
Bynum will understand that he is playing this season for the right to an $88 million extension. He will play well, and he will get it.
Posted by: jimjoyce | October 16, 2008 at 04:24 PM
In other news,
according to the Lakers official site, LO is getting into his game. If Radman continues to show a defense mentality continued by help defense and continue to be a consistent outside threat then he should have the starting job lock down though Phil's praising of Lamar today in practice means LO as a starter isn't out of the question yet.
Seems like everything is gelling now. As long as Drew keeps the contract problem out of his mind during practices and especially games and let his during THE SEASON determine his salary instead what his agent thinks, then he will get his money.
Otherwise finally most Lakers even Luke has been earning Phil's praises. Drew just needs to keep it up and form the tower of our defense and especially help with any trapping and show he can defend too on the outside with help defense and not simply put all the defense out on the low block (assuming teams uses their centers for pick and rolls, Sacramento and Utah are two teams since their centers are known to be able to hit 3 pointers).
Sadly only Sasha still can't get any real conditioning due to that ankle. Keep it easy and let it heal 100% Sasha while continuing on that shooting and confidence.
Finally after working out the problems of fiddling around with lineups combined with things like who will start at SF and how to integrate Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, the Lakers seem to be heading in the right direction.
-blitz
Posted by: thekobeblitz | October 16, 2008 at 04:25 PM
So far, we haven't heard anything from Andrew. Which is good, let the money issues from the player at most be in house.
The agent is doing what he is supposed to do, hustle for his commish and get his client paid. Do I agree with it? No.
I say earn your money in the face of doubt, then you become worth it.
This kid got an injury common to a foot dragging on the wrong direction more than the perceived foot to knee downward landing. This happens in Judo quite a bit. It's your work ethnic in recovery (Physical Therapy) AND during practice where it will strengthen.
Thanks to the generous time that PSLakerfan and Laker_ST, we have a common update about Bynum which coincides with Tex Winter's complaint with Bynum and Shaq: a lack of fire during practice.
If he wants to be the "Future" as to how Kobe is-was, he's going to have to be a leader.
Perhaps we are proclaiming this "Beast" way too early. He may be more of an aggressive scorer and a co captain than our future leader. Part of the future though.
Either way, I believe we should stand pat and see he Drew can even last a full season, barring another mishap.
Food for thought, how come Tex never complained about Longley, Cartwright and Wennington? Could it be: lack of media interest? Solid work ethic during practice?
Hmmm...
Best guys,
Posted by: Charles | October 16, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Bynum comes to camp in less than optimal shape, he has admitted that he is not motivated at practice, he has yet to show a single alley oop dunk and spent three months recovering from an injury that was suppossed to heal in six weeks..... Now, his agent is "desparately" trying to get him an extension before October 31..... Now tell me, do you blame the Lakers for wanting to wait?
Before some of you hit the panick button, realize that the he is a RESTRICTED FREE AGENT. The worst, and I mean the worst that can happen is that he gets an offer sheet from another team for $88m and the Lakers have the right to match. Now, I don't know if any of you noticed last year, but that approached saved the Lakers a bundle with Sasha - who found that the free agent market is not quite as lucrative as one would think.
Bynum is, at this stage, an unproven talent - but with lots of potential. He spent one year riding pine, the second year he was good but then lost gas halfway through the seaon, in season 3 he was awesome but got injured. AND, there is a chance he is not going to get the same number of looks/minutes because the team has added Gasol as another scoring option. So, in short, there is no way he will be putting up the numbers that merit an $88m a year contract. He knows it. His agent knows it. Hence the desperation.
I think the Lakers should stay the course, monitor his progress during the year, treat him with respect, and then see what he's worth at the end of the season. Worst case scenario, they have to give him $88m. Best case scenario, they get him for less than the $78m they reportedly have offered him.
Posted by: mannyp | October 16, 2008 at 04:34 PM
BK,
I understand. I just want to know if David Lee is just like any generic agent or if there's more to him than that, to the best of your knowledge.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 16, 2008 at 04:40 PM
I am all for e mailing Bynum to fire his agent.
What is this guys problem??
Can't make the Mercedes payment maybe??
Bynum needs to ditch this crybaby.
janaya
Posted by: janaya | October 16, 2008 at 04:45 PM
>>>couldn't this turn out like the Elton brand situation. even
>>> if we do sign him as a free agent this summer, we could
>>> anger them to the point where they leave later. we
>>>could end up with nothing.
Well, yes and no.
Yes, there is a chance the Lakers could lose him for nothing.
In LakerTom's worst nightmare scenario, the Lakers don't
manage to sign Drew before Halloween, and then Drew gets
so insulted by it that next summer he takes only the 3.7
million dollar qualifying offer before leaving for another
team.
Personally, I think it's unrealistic that Drew would get so
insulted that he'd sacrifice 7 to 10 million next season just
to be obstinate.
If he was adamant about leaving, I bet he'd at least agree
to a sign and trade, which would allow the Lakers to get
some quality player or players back for him.
If he wasn't all that keen on leaving, but just insulted that
he didn't get a max offer, then he's been drinking too much
of his agent's cool-aid.
Even if the Lakers don't re-sign him by October 31, Drew
is a restricted free agent, so they can match any other
team's offer. Or not.
And based on only what we've seen so far, there isn't a
single team in the league that would offer Drew a max
contract. Not one. A good two months doesn't earn you
the max. All the guys who just re-signed this summer
have achieved more than Drew has in the league to this
point and the only one of them who got a max contract
was Deron Williams.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 16, 2008 at 04:49 PM
btw - Bynum from today's practice:
http://www.nba.com/lakers/multimedia/0708video.html
not much there. just talks about continuing to progress on the court and discusses his birthday plans. there's a little discussion about the negotiations but it's pretty low key.
Posted by: lakers_sth | October 16, 2008 at 04:53 PM
"Jackson saved his criticism of the day for Andrew Bynum, whom Phil said took a step backwards in practice yesterday by not really getting himself involved."
Does his agent know about this? Maybe the demands would come a little less heavy if he knew the youngin' was slacking in practice. Pros do have that tendency though. Look at Iverson. My guess is Drew will be OK.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | October 16, 2008 at 04:55 PM
I love Andrew... I think he has the "potential" to be a dominating force in the NBA.
BUT... the front office would be foolish to give Bynum a max deal until he proves himself a max player through an entire season... not half a month were he averaged 17 and 10. If he can duplicate numbers close to that over the course of an entire season, then I say give it to him.
David Lee is a typical scum bag agent playing games. he knows the score.
Too often, players have been give huge contracts based on potential, only to disappoint. Everyone knows this.
Bynum is nearing 21 years... if he's the player he says he is, he has nothing to worry about in the dollar department. The only reason to rush a new long term deal is if his agent and perhaps Bynum are fearful of his true ability or the strength of his knee.
Posted by: Johnnyb | October 16, 2008 at 05:08 PM
There's no way the Lakers should offer him 88 million. That's ridiculous for a guy who hasn't played a full season at a high level.
We didn't become the Lakers by giving huge deals to players who don't deserve them. If I were Mitch, the most I would offer is 5-years, 55 million. If Drew wants a max-deal he'd have to play well this season and talk to me in July.
Posted by: Xodus | October 16, 2008 at 05:16 PM
mannyp,
"Bynum comes to camp in less than optimal shape, he has admitted that he is not motivated at practice, he has yet to show a single alley oop dunk and spent three months recovering from an injury that was suppossed to heal in six weeks.."
Drew according to all reports is in better shape this year then he was at this time last year. He's topped all of his times on the track and he has a higher vertical. The problem he's having now is that he hasn't played NBA basketball in 9-10 months, so he's light-years away from game shape both mentally and physically.
Game shape is different than being "in shape," because running on a track is far different from battling guys down low for position and boards, etc.
Posted by: Xodus | October 16, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Blitz, very nice comparison. We should not be pressured to fork out huge bucks for yet unproven mettle.
Worse yet, I really hope that this trash talk only has David Lee behind it. The "me first, damn the team" attitude of the messages is ugly. This is especially true as the Lakers have largely made Drew by signing him and giving him personal Kareem attention. This is especially true as the Lakers but Drew first by not pressuring him to play injured when the finals was on the line. Nicer than I would have been.
I hope that Drew has some appreciation for others. Because, if not, even if he does average 10 and 10, we will resent his being on the team and he will not make anyone around him better. He'll be an early Kobe in attitude without the ability. Not what we need. Others can get a 10 - 10 too. And, they have proven it.
GOOooOOOOOO LAAAAaaaaAAAAAAKKERS ORGANIZATION!!!
Posted by: JohnnyP | October 16, 2008 at 05:53 PM
Drew turns 21 on the 27th.
Do you remember what you got for your 21st birthday?
For Drew, it could be a sweet NBA contract with best team on the planet.
My advice for Bynum. I know he reads this stuff.
"Take the money, take the contract!"
If the Lakers are truly offering 78 mil over 5 years? (That's 15.6 per year avg.)*** Are you listening Drew? Then sign on the dotted line ASAP! Do not listen to your agent if he says to play one year and then declare yourself an 'Un-restricted Free Agent'.
Why? Because anything can happen in that one year. A career limiting injury or worse. Besides a 'Restricted Free Agent" means almost nothing. Plus in five years, you'll ONLY be 26, just coming into your prime, AND a Free Agent for the next big payday.
Then you could be in the drivers seat.
*** I think the Lakers would be offering him less, but who knows?
Posted by: Fatty | October 16, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Jon K.
"I mean, is he anything more than a weasel running down a long plastic coridor?"
"If you think I won't be sending 100 emails to Andrew a day, try me."
You're too funny! It's good to see you in mid-season form already.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 16, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Kupchak and Coach Phil Jackson declined to comment specifically on negotiations with Bynum's agent, though Jackson spoke in general terms.
"I'm sure [Lee] is pressing them a little bit, but we're just watching 'Drew and making sure that he's making gains daily," Jackson said. "I thought [Wednesday] he went backward instead of forward. He was late to practice. He didn't really get himself involved in that practice. So he really lost a day as far as I was concerned."
###########################
You would thnk that Bynum would be highly motivated right now to get that MAX DEAL.
Perhaps he's not as sound as everyone seems to think.
YOU EVER NOTICE
Posted by: YOU EVER NOTICE | October 16, 2008 at 06:28 PM
You have to wonder why his agent is pushing so much soo soon. Especially considering that if Drew is healthy, and he does become a free agent, ka-ching!
It would be unwise for us to go gung-ho before thinking about this. Remember Luke.
Think Sasha instead.
The "smart" thinking contracts that is lol. Not the same price obviously.
Posted by: Faith | October 16, 2008 at 06:30 PM
"couldn't this turn out like the Elton brand situation. even if we do sign him as a free agent this summer, we could anger them to the point where they leave later. we could end up with nothing."
No way. The Elton Brand situation was totally different. Brand was never completley happy on the Westcoast, not to mention the fact that he was playing on one of the worst spor franchises in American history. (sorry Jon ,lol)
Andrew is playing for one of the best franchises, who will be more than happy to pay the max, if he's worth it.
Andrew, unlike Brand, would be a damn fool to leave LA.
dan
Posted by: dan the man | October 16, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Why not just wait out the season before giving him a max contract? He is restricted, and if another team gives him the $88 million max, lakers can just match. It makes no difference from signing him now except for some hurt feelings, but it seems like Andrew isn't even worrying right now.
The only way Bynum can get away from the lakers is if he signs with an European team. Its not like he can pull an Elton Brand.
Posted by: Andrew | October 16, 2008 at 06:51 PM
THE KID WILL BE SIGNED BEFORE HIS BIRTHDAY…
Because there is NO way that the Lakers are going to allow Andrew Bynum to become a free agent, whether restricted or unrestricted. And fans who believe that the Lakers will still have a lock on Drew if they allow him to become a restricted free agent are uninformed. If the Lakers do NOT sign Drew to an extension by October 31, 2008, they will NOT be able to sign him until he becomes a free agent. They can tender a qualifying offer to bind him as a restricted free agent, but all Drew has to do is to accept the qualifying offer and play out the year to become an UNRESTRICTED free agent the following summer, when there will be a dozen teams under the cap and looking to sign big name free agents like LeBron, Wade, and Bosh. And the Lakers will have no power to do anything to prevent it from happening. That’s the facts!
As politics, people sometimes just do not recognize a savior when they see one. Drew is a once in a generation franchise player. Jerry and Jim Buss and Mitch know this, which is why I am NOT worried in the slightest that Drew will NOT be signed to an extension, especially since the team and player are only $10M apart if the rumors are true. I think the Lakers just want to see Drew play like last year’s Drew before they sign up, which I have no problem with other than it has to be unsettling for the player no matter what. We have seen many times how delicate it can be to negotiate with players who cannot help but have an inflated ego and sense of their worth. That is why you probably don’t and won’t see Mitch go public with any negotiations. He will take the utmost care to be sure NOT to insult Drew or his agent, especially over $10M.
Drew’s birthday, by the way, is October 31st. Mark my words, Drew will be signed by then.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 16, 2008 at 07:26 PM
There's nothing wrong with letting the market set a player's value. The Lakers should wait until Bynum has played a solid 82-game season rather than reward him for a great 25 game stretch.
Posted by: Brandon Hoffman | October 16, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Laker Tom,
"people sometimes just do not recognize a savior when they see one."
Before you declare someone your savior, you should find out what his real birthday is(10/27), rather than to spin it off to bloggers who don't know better in order to say that there is some link between his birthday and his contract signing. They have nothing in common.
Posted by: banner year | October 16, 2008 at 08:14 PM
"Drew is a once in a generation franchise player."
I'm sorry, Tom, I usually love your positive attitude (and share it), but I just haven't seen enough of Socks to agree with this. "Once a generation players" show more than promise well before thier 3rd year, be it college or pro. He averaged 17/10 for all of a month. His POTENTIAL excites me too, but the Lakers would be foolhardy to give him max money at this point. If he plays well enough this season to EARN a max money deal, it will mean we've won the chip, and all percieved "insults" will have been forgotten. Besides, since when is $78m an insult? Someone PLEASE insult me like that. :)
Posted by: Badfinger | October 16, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Question from the K bros. Does signing AB now or later still place the Lakers over the cap?
Or does his contract count against next years cap limit?
Posted by: steven v | October 17, 2008 at 08:18 AM
banner year,
My error in typing. I knew that Drew's birthday was 10/27. I just typed 10/31 in error. The onlyl link is that the Lakers will probably sign Drew before his birthday.
Tom
Posted by: | October 17, 2008 at 08:52 AM