This is why Atlanta was happy to match the Grizz offer to Josh Smith within less than 24 hours. Josh Smith got an under market value deal given his production/potential for a 22 year old.
The Sixers did a lot of work clearing some cap room and now they do this. Do they think that Brand/ Iguodala is worth tying up all their money in for the next few years?
yeah smith looks like he may end up being a perfect second "fiddle" player on a team that has an established star. his versatility on both ends of the court is just insane. a much better player than Iguodala imo. I actually think though Smith and his agent made a huge mistake in signing the grizzlies offer sheet. play the one year in ATL with their qualifying offer and become an UFA. for once atlanta won by playing it cheap. these young up and coming stars will never get a good contract if they are playing for a team that is historically cheap. the only way for them to get fair value is out on the open market. Cant do that as a RFA. well i dont think josh smith is going to be starving on his 58 million of course.
Good player but not worth all that. He's never going to be a #1 option. .....and as for Josh Smith, he's a better player and thanks to the Grizzlies the Hawks don't have to pay him money like this.
Sometimes signings are based on intangibles. AI plays hard and is durable, great teammate as well, how many guys would give up their number to Chris Weber.
13mil a year is not that bad, they did over pay by about 4 million though. I think AI is gong to have a break out year though. he is going to get more open looks with brand working in the post.
It's somewhat shocking at first but I guess the $65-80M range is what all of the big named restricted FA's ended up getting. I must admit i'm surprised he got more than Smith, Deng or Ellis especially considering the egg he laid in the playoffs but I suppose it's somewhat reasonable. We'll see, I guess. I still think it's too pricey of an offer considering he'll never be a #1 option and probably isn't going to ever be the 25 PPG type of player you expect from your franchise player you're paying that type of money.
Irresponsible contract. AI's play on court will be judged by his contract now, and quiet frankly, he is not good enough to measure up to it.