Dirk opts out of contract

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

It's an interesting observation. People tend to hate Kobe and think the Lakers were stupid for giving him that money at the end. But everyone is saying Dirk deserves this and the Mavs did the right thing. Granted Dirk has taken a pay cut the last several years, but then the counter argument is that Kobe won 5 championships to Dirk's one. And there are plenty of other reasons for both sides, but noone seems to be blasting Cuban for "giving" Dirk that much money. Personally, I think they both deserve it and should get whatever they want and as much as possible their last year ... or two in Dirk's case.

Well, here's the thing.. The Mavs didn't need additional money for the upcoming season. So, they gave what they had remaining to spend to Dirk. Next year, if there are free agents available that the Mavs want, they'll basically tear up the contract and draw up a new one once the dust of free agency has settled. Dirk will again take a lesser salary next year (2017-2018) if there is any reason to whatsoever.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Well, here's the thing.. The Mavs didn't need additional money for the upcoming season. So, they gave what they had remaining to spend to Dirk. Next year, if there are free agents available that the Mavs want, they'll basically tear up the contract and draw up a new one once the dust of free agency has settled. Dirk will again take a lesser salary next year (2017-2018) if there is any reason to whatsoever.

Bingo...

Dirk was 100% willing to take another paycut this season if the Mavs could land sizable FA -- they didn't, so he basically signed a 1-year contract, allowing the FO to try again next season... The $25m/year was decided upon because that's how much cap space was left, and it came against a $94m cap... This deal allowed the Mavericks maximum flexibility moving forward.

Kobe, on the other hand, demanded a 4-year max contract because (according to him) he was "the best player in the world," even though his numbers indicated otherwise... The $25m/year was decided upon because that's the most money he could possibly get, and it came against a $58m cap... This deal hamstrung the Lakers for the rest of his career.

Anybody who doesn't understand the difference between these two situations has absolutely no business talking about NBA contracts.

[Lestat_1795]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Bingo...

Dirk was 100% willing to take another paycut this season if the Mavs could land sizable FA -- they didn't, so he basically signed a 1-year contract, allowing the FO to try again next season... The $25m/year was decided upon because that's how much cap space was left, and it came against a $94m cap... This deal allowed the Mavericks maximum flexibility moving forward.

Kobe, on the other hand, demanded a 4-year max contract because (according to him) he was "the best player in the world," even though his numbers indicated otherwise... The $25m/year was decided upon because that's the most money he could possibly get, and it came against a $58m cap... This deal hamstrung the Lakers for the rest of his career.

Anybody who doesn't understand the difference between these two situations has absolutely no business talking about NBA contracts.

Bingo indeed.
The ESPN guys don't get it.

[MavzMan]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Bingo...

Dirk was 100% willing to take another paycut this season if the Mavs could land sizable FA -- they didn't, so he basically signed a 1-year contract, allowing the FO to try again next season... The $25m/year was decided upon because that's how much cap space was left, and it came against a $94m cap... This deal allowed the Mavericks maximum flexibility moving forward.

Kobe, on the other hand, demanded a 4-year max contract because (according to him) he was "the best player in the world," even though his numbers indicated otherwise... The $25m/year was decided upon because that's the most money he could possibly get, and it came against a $58m cap... This deal hamstrung the Lakers for the rest of his career.

Anybody who doesn't understand the difference between these two situations has absolutely no business talking about NBA contracts.

I get your point (except for the last line) and agree with it. But I'm playing Devil's Advocate here and justifying Kobe's contract. He did win 5 championships over a 10 year span. His name alone brought in millions of revenue especially in China. And honestly, the Lakers were not going to win a championship anyway regardless of the money Kobe did or did not accept. Their roster was pretty much done and the dynasty was over after the Mavericks swept them in 2011.


I get your point and agree with it ... except for the last line. If you are not willing to look at situations from all angles, then you are extremely close minded.

Personally, I have no problem with players getting as much money as possible. If my boss were to come to me and say "We are going to add more high performing people to the team, but you need to take 40% paycut." Well, I wouldn't do it. I know it's apples and oranges but still ... there is an argument/debate there. Kobe won 5 championships in 10 years. How much money did he bring to the Laker franchise over his 20 year career? Anyway, I don't want to get into a long draw out debat ... Dirk is flat out amazing. Period.

[Bryan_Wilson]

I don't think anyone is arguing Kobe isn't worth the money in a business sense. It's for basketball reasons that it's not even remotely close. If Kobe took a Dirk like discount and saved his team 15-18m then they would have had no reason to be a salary dump for the Rockets and pay lin 15m. They also had Hill on a team option for 9m. They had Gasol's rights and he signed in Chicago for a discount, no reason to think he wouldn't do same with the team he won with. That's a lot of cap room and they had just drafted Randle. Maybe they make a play for Kevin Love, maybe they make a play for Rondo or Dragic. A lot of things could have changed just from having the ability to sign a free agent or 2. Melo wouldn't leave NY but maybe he goes to LA if it's more appealing. Ariza could have had a reunion there. Parsons seems like a LA kinda guy. Deng was free as well in that first off season. No free agent in their right mind would sign with them with Kobe making 23-25m and coming off injury. Kobe at 7.5m though is a major difference. Especially if it means Lin trade never happens and they keep Gasol.

It is entirely possible that the Lakers could have been competing for a playoff spot and Kobe could have went out playing "meaningful games" like Dirk has been.