I don't mind the deal. We need him for a leader and mentor next year while developing a possible replacement. If he chooses to exercise his player option be traded after that so be it. I don't see us signing him again for more years or higher pay at that point. I'm hoping we reduce his minutes to 30 or less, and hopefully no more than 28 by mid-season. I'd love to see us start giving Reed more of his minutes, and Cam, Reed, and Amen Jalen's minutes.
Not sure on this read. Keep in mind nobody who might want Fred had the cap space to sign him this offseason. He was looking at getting an NT-MLE deal worth $60M over 4 years. This contract gives him the ability to earn nearly that amount over two years then walk and get one more contract of some kind, or decline his player option and potentially sign a slightly larger MLE deal next offseason. It makes sense from his perspective without any kind of wink-wink deal with the Rockets.
I like the player option. They likely wanted him for 3 years, but he wants to make sure the team builds correctly for the next 2 seasons. Apparently KD wants to retire a rocket. So there are likely a couple of other pieces that might be incoming. I can definitely smell something cooking.
Yes it was. You know how I know? Cause he was offered that contract. There is no NBA kelly blue book. Who cares about an individual's contract size is? From a fan's perspective, we just want the GM to manage team salaries. We want them to maintain flexibility to make roster moves. If the team looks good, why do you care what one individual player makes? Now if you just hate FVV, just own that. But his contract is fine, from a team perspective.
Even factoring inflation, Fred has made multiple times more than guys like Scottie Pippen and Clyde Drexler. Let that sink in.
I heard on LOR that sometimes FVV runs practices when no coaches are around. He definitely has a coach persona in that he's all business all the time. He rarely celebrates even after hitting big shots. I recalled one game he hit a walk off shot from half court at the end of half time and FVV didn't crack a smile. He's exactly like Udoka. I think Udoka doesn't even need to tell FVV what plays to run. They just glare at each and transmit plays via grouchy telepathy.
We just don't want to have a weak link given the stakes. Van Fleet isn't great, but he's not a disaster. Amen, Sengun, and Durant can create their own shot for the most part. So not to worried about his limitation on breaking down a defense and limited vision. Jabari will have the same challenges tho'. It would be nice to have a point who could give him some breathing room to use his length. What he can't do is push the tempo and really take advantage of Amen's skills in the open court. Overall, it's makes sure we don't have a leak that sinks the ship.
Live sports are the only that draws live viewers - which makes them invaluable for advertisers - which means the broadcast rights are way more valuable than the pre streaming era. Players and owners are benefiting.
I like this a lot better than $44 million but still think it is way too much. Hopefully it comes with a greatly reduced role. It is time to start transitioning to Reed being our PG of the future. By the end of the season, Fred should be playing no more than 15 minutes per game serving more in the veteran leader role
Ideally, but really unlikely. Better to bring in Grimes and let FVV come off the bench immediately or mid-season at worst. We really don’t know what we have in Reed yet. We have a very suspect bench.
