Not sure if this is loyalty so much as pragmatism. Would Yao have gotten a max deal from another team if he opted out?
Yao is no dummy. Why would anyone in their right mind leave 18m on the table? Those who say boozer isn't loyal, well if any one was in their right mind wouldn't turn down the money he was offered from utah. Remember, he was a 2nd rd pick making under 1m and the cavs couldve just retained him for about that much. The supposed "wink wink dea was for 30m, utah offered 52m. What would you do? I thought so. If the rockets say they're going to offer yao 8m and the grizz say they will offer 12m per, yao is gone.
I think the more important question is...what is a fair offer to Yao considering his injury history. I would be extremely hesistant to offer him more than say 12 million a year for 3-4 years.
I think so. People still optimistic of a cyclic economic recovery. Insurance money isn't that bad for when he can't deliver. Plus if Team Yao was half as pragmatic as anyone here, they'd plant him where it'd be beneficial for both parties to maximize the Chinese market.
Seriously - if he were loyal to the Rockets he would opt-out and re-sign for a lower deal. The market for chronically injured centers is not that wide or deep.
Based on some members' logic here, Yao is/will be worth every penny on that max contract because other, lesser, NBA centers have been overpaid. Ergo, the Rockets should follow the trend and overpay for Yao as well, regardless of whether or not he comes back healthy.
Maybe. But he could opt out just to get long-term money guaranteed right now. If he stays healthy next year he could get the max. But why rely on a surgically repaired foot to earn that? Shaq opted out of a 30 million salary to sign a five-year 100 million dollar extension.
What he said. Vegas should have a o/u on Yao, say around 50 games, before he has another season ending injury. I love Yao, but he's just too big to handle a full season + possibly the playoffs. He did it a couple of times early in his career but in his last 4 seasons he's played in 237 games out of 328 in the regular season. And if he stays out this whole year, which is expected, then it jumps to 237/410. He would be insane to opt out. Take the 18 mil because there's a really good chance it drops considerably with his next contract.
For a while now not many people outside of Houston understand quite the talent level we have here, even amidst the lack of age. Why would Yao want to go anywhere? He has seen what we have to offer, and it is good. And thus, it is so.
I find it kind of funny that Morey would come out and say Yao won't opt out. He is usually tight lip about contract situations until they are a done deal. I'm guessing he's doing this to corner Yao and make him look bad if he does decide to opt out.
Or maybe to begin his FA hunt now.. attracting star players with the fact that we WILL HAVE dominant, healthy center in Yao Ming.
Can you read? It can't be plainer English, unless you're one of the fans from China, Morey is directly saying that Yao will opt in because he is loyal to the team and to the city beyond any other considerations. You may or may not think that Yao commands as much in the open market. Obviously Morey thinks that Yao would have options in free agency but he's putting a fork in the rumors because he thinks it's important to the franchise to lock Yao down next year and also send a message to the league that the Rockets have complete confidence in his rehabilitation and will be making that investment in him. It seems pretty random to say you have no doubt that he's loyal and it just makes good economic sense. None of us know how he is in his personal life all we know is what he is like on TV. And what would make "good economic sense" is to explore every option in free agency to go to the half dozen larger markets and contenders than to reup out of loyalty.
Denver gave Nene $60 million coming off a torn ACL. They already had the huge contracts of injury prone Kmart and Camby on the books. When healthy, Yao is twice the player Nene is. And he makes a franchise more money even when injured.
this. you posted this while I was typing but yes Morey does not do things randomly. he's sending a message to other GMs and to fans that Yao will be in the picture
Of course yao makes a team money. That is why I said if a franchise is serious about winning. They need to make sure he can play without getting hurt before signing him. Otherwise you tie up a lot of money to a guy who can't play. How is kmarts contract looking now days? Even Nene is way overpaid. They had to trade off camby becuase of nene and kmart's contract.
Nice!! Now if we can just get rid of Tmac next season and sign Wade, Ill be the happiest person on earth!
If you consider Yao's financial impact, he pays Les more than 12 mil per year, and he pays other players for Les through those Chinese deals. In a big picture, Yao is paying Rockets organization to play for them. No deal is overpaying Yao.
