Morey's mantra is to "buy low". How much lower can Yao's value get? Extending him now at an obviously much lower salary than the max has many benefits: - Shows Yao that the franchise loves him and is committed to him. - Gets us a player with top playing ability at his position at a presumably low value compared to his maximum potential - There is no downside other than the presumably low cap space he would occupy: If it turns out that he cannot play and goes down for good/retires, we get an injured player exception and can use the money on someone else. Morey, get it done!
No, the smart move is to wait to hear from the doctors, and support Yao in whatever he wants to do. And then sign him for the one year veteran's minimum next year. DD
Minimum would be a no-brainer in my eyes, but I would be willing to risk a little bit more on this bet. Maybe twice the minimum or something.
How about trying to do what Cleveland did with Big Z, If someone could buy him out? But his salary is probably too high for that???
I know I am thinking outside the box here, but teams take gambles on players all the time - in the draft, in free agency, etc. etc. Examples of things teams gamble on: - whether a player will get his attitude problems sorted - whether he will ever be able to reach his potential in the pros - whether he will be able to improve his shooting - a player's health We already know Yao has no problems with items 1-3, item 4 is an obvious huge IF. But if you can gamble a combined roughly $ 5 million/year on Jordan Hill/Terrence Williams when you already know that neither will ever be as good as Yao was, even in a best-case scenario, then why not gamble $ 3 or $ 4 or even $ 5 million a year on Yao even if the best-case scenario probably would be him coming back like Big Z and having an output of maybe 13/8, especially if insurance might pay if he is injured (I don't know if we could get a new contract where that would happen, though) and if you might get a disabled player's exception in the worst case.
Maybe give him a contract in the off-season? It would obviously be low... But why give him one now when he is injured????
Wow, I'm surprised no one has posted the actual GOOD way to sign Yao. Specifically, a NON-GUARANTEED extension of one year for ~$17 mil or whatever the max is around. This would be a great trade chip to whichever team Yao gets traded to, since they can just cut him for no loss of money. It's like giving the Rockets that amount in capspace almost. If Yao really were to retire, I sincerely hope he gives the Rockets this last parting gift to help speed up the rebuilding.
Yao said if he couldn't stay healthy this season that he would probably just retire. Things may have changed though
I'd give him an extension now. I mean, let's say we give him the minimum. The worst thing that can happen is that he IS done; all we did was pay him pocket change (from an NBA standpoint). The best thing that can happen is that he returns to form, and doesn't get a big injury for a long time. I'd take that risk.
Why would you sign a player who most likely has played his last NBA game to a long term contract and give away a roster spot? It's time to move on.
