In a game of chicken the Rockets blinked. But it's the right move. How does it feel to be so right all the time?
The only blinking the Rockets' probably did was Stone in disbelief when he found out KPJ was actually signing this deal.
Again, for you and @DaDakota: Which of the 7 teams, aside from the Rockets expected to have cap space are going to give KPJ a contract worth $20m a year or more? Here are your choices - Indiana San Antonio OKC Detroit Orlando Charlotte (You might be able to add Utah if they blow it up) Who among those teams is giving him this massive contract? Any other team is limited to the MLE of about $11m.
Not surprised, he got an extension. Quite a team friendly one. More realistic than some kpj Homers were demanding. 30+ mil and sht like that, laughable
Rockets wanted him to take it up the anus with a $8 to $9M contract. They didn't blink? I'm fine with incentives. I said $15M to $18M was fair for both sides.
No, I said 20 mill per season average would be the floor and that the team should sign him now at a discount to avoid paying him more next year. Well, he got the discount rate of just over 20 mill a season average and the team got protections in case he flames out. It's a win for the Rockets and it prevents any drama next year.
He got a Garrison Matthews structure at a higher rate. Not sure if there is any precedence for that. There’s compromise from both sides and looks like an overall good deal for all involved.
Rockets were quoted as "interested in a KPj extension if it's a team friendly deal like Tate's. That was distributed among all the podcasts and article pundits. They are quoted as saying something like his qualifying offer of $9M. Rockets would not have done anything if they felt I (Apache), @Verbal Christ , @Bobbythegreat , @maj21 , @DaDakota , @jiggyfly , and others were wrong. They agreed with me that KPj is probably going to have a bust out season with no burrito throwing incidents.....and the Mavs can move any or all of Dinwiddie, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Bullock by seasons end to pay KPj in the summer
^ LIKE I SAID!!! This was not hard to see if you've worked on some large transactions in your life, be it a home purchase or something through work, etc. The deal was going to be 4/$80 with some kind of creative structuring, or no deal at all. KPJ has agents, those agents aren't morons, and the market became what it became. I didn't expect the creative structuring to be SO GOOD for the Rockets... but then from KPJs perspective, it locks in at least one time life CHANGING money, PLUS the cap will keep going up, so from his perspective i get it, too. Remain a "decent" NBA player and HOU is likely to pick up the options. The only reason they won't is career ending type injury or KPJ mentality returning to prior years. Basically its a great, creative low risk structure potentially for both parties. REALLY REALLY REALLY good gm'ing imo