PFT: NBA’s best urged to take less “if they want to win.” Agents, unions unhappy with trend.

Well . . .. When the 'big three' took less to win
They kind of set the trend in motion . . . .
Though LeBron was critisized for it . . . because people felt he was building the superfriends for some easy championships
he cannot run from the criticism in the other direction
[he not going to win]
the issue is .. . it is being extrapolated to other players

Rocket River

 

I don't think the article understands that players need to take less because of the salary cap and not the luxury tax line.

Idiotic

 

There is no need for the top players to take less. All they have to do is go to a team without other top players.

 

The article mentions the salary cap. It's sort of the point.

Owner sets up salary cap. Sets max deal. Asks players to take less.

 

no honor amongst thieves. Both, organizations and players get over on each other but we're the ones that always get the shaft.

 

They are related.

Being over the tax line limits your ability to use certain exceptions like the MLE or bi-annual exception. It also limits how much salary you can take back in a trade.

Going over the tax line had financial implications to owners in the previous CBA but certain wealthier franchises like the Mavs, Lakers, Knicks didn't care.

The current version of the CBA makes the financial penalties tougher while adding restrictions to a teams ability to make roster changes. That's why the Nets have had to trade for everyone on their team since they are so far over the tax they don't have an MLE to spend.

The article spells it out pretty explicitly:

The problem comes back to just how much the owners dominated the last CBA. As Mark Cuban has ranted more than once, being into the tax is more than just a money issue, the new CBA limits teams flexibility to make moves once their salary is up in the tax range — smaller mid-level exception, no sign-and-trades, and more. You can’t build a team the same way and GMs want that flexibility.

Either you didn't read the article at all or you just didn't understand it. Hope this helps.

 

I think there is some logic that you have to keep expenses down for the sake of small-market teams. But I don't doubt that the owners want to make as much as possible too. The valuation of the Clippers surprised everyone, so that part of the article is a bit off.

 

great post, I mentioned something of this sort a few days ago here:

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=255817

"These superstars have a responsibility beyond their level of play. If they only take $10 million then that wouldn't be fair to the likes of Parsons etc."



*

 

This only true because everyone is in love with their super friends.

 

Wait, who is criticizing Lebron for not taking a discount? I haven't heard those? Most of what I've heard is people saying that Lebron deserves every cent he gets and probably twice as much as his "max."

 

I completely understand the Union , agents , player reps , who make money off these NBA players getting mad at players everywhere taking considerably less money. It might be good for few teams to have super teams. But overall it is bad for players contracts and their respective "people".

 

If they want to make more money, then they should raise the salary cap for teams.

That way, big market teams can spend as much as they want. Thing about teams like the Lakers and Yankees, even though location plays a role, they know that in the end one has to spend money to make money. Winning makes money. Therefore if players want to make more, it is only logical that the owners should be allowed to spend more.

 

I don't understand anyone having sympathy for the players or the owners. Rich guys fighting Super rich guys while in the meantime, ticket/concession prices continue one direction. UP.

 

What's wrong with ticket/concession prices going up? There is a market for them. What are the teams gonna do? Sell the tickets for less so scalpers can make the money instead of the people who contributed money and effort to put the product together?

 

Interesting. Exactly how high will prices have to go for you to be upset?

Most casual fans can't enjoy a game anymore in a decent seat because of the money the owners and players make. I'm all for the Capitalism and them making money...but it doesn't mean casual fans aren't being screwed in the process.

Greed is still one of the 7 deadly sins.

 

This is exactly it - we already saw it with comments on the Lowry signing. That he just took the money and didn't care about winning, etc.

Interestingly, the article criticizes the CBA - but the CBA was designed with the opposite idea in mind. I'm pretty sure the majority of owners aren't happy with players taking less either, unless it's for their own team. The CBA was designed to make it easier for smaller market teams to compete by putting them on a more level playing field and making it harder to pay multiple players the max. That helps spread out the stars by letting the Utahs and Milwaukees of the world be able to offer the max while other teams are in cap hall. The CBA was designed with the assumption that players would chase the money. But if the stars just shun those teams anyway to take *less* money elsewhere, the whole concept behind it falls apart.

 

They could easily solve this problem by getting rid of the max contract. If LeBron could play for 30+ mil he would likely never play with another star. It becomes a conversation if he can only make 19 mil and it's reasonable to consider taking a 15% pay cut if you can guarantee title contention. A 50% pay cut would never happen though.

 

I honestly think they should get rid of the Max.
Set a Salary Cap.
Then the contracts are based on PERCENTAGES.

Salary Cap is say 60 million
LeBron - Wants 20 Million - 33%
Wade - Wants 15 Million - 25%
Bosh - Wants 15 Million - 25%
83% of your salary is on those three
You now have to build the rest of the team
So
Next year when the Cap goes up . . . so does their money but not their percentage
Still have your Exceptions . . 1% . . 2% Exceptions
but the HARD CAP is 105%

Now Superstars have to say . . . I can get 35% in Utah or 30% in LA
or I can get 55% in Toronto
If Toronto stupid enough to do it. . . well . . their team will just suck

Rocket River