Royce White refuses assignment to D-League (UPDATE: Rockets suspend him)

With the suspension, there's honestly no need to be hasty about dumping him. He's not getting paid. The players association isn't saying anything so there's no resistance on that front. White himself apparently doesn't care, and has said so publically that he basically quit already. Morey and the league have seemingly consulted their lawyers and are foolproof against any kind of lawsuit. Basically White can take 2 years to decide whether or not to accept his DLeague assignment.

 

morey said lots of things that morris and patpat are top 6 talents
and they are not

 

can you imagine seeing "DNP-Anxiety" on a box score?

that's basically what Royce is asking for

 

Apples and oranges.

White is simply refusing to play. Not because he got into some trauma on the court for whatever reason, but rather he simply doesn't want to play before the fact. He didn't get mentally ill during a game, he's telling the Rockets either do what I say, or I won't even bother suiting up EVER. Not for a week, or two weeks while I rehab. But for eternity unless you give in to my demands.

 

he'll start to wise up once the checks stop coming in

 

We're not going to void his contract, are we? How long can we suspend him before the players association starts calling for us to just waive him?

 

no

He is suspended indefinitely, not for a week...that was a misunderstanding based on early twitter reports

If this doesnt work out, White will not ever be picked up by any NBA team because his desire to rewrite his contract with his "protocols" is illegal under the CBA, and as such can not be accommodated by ANY NBA team.
Also, the Rockets are the only team willing to take a chance on him (the did in fact know he has problems but were hoping things could be worked out) no other team will touch him after his behavior during this saga. You can book that.

the only recompense that is even close to likely is them not having to pay his salary because he has never fulfilled his contract.
You can forget the draft pick, its gone and the NBA will NOT give us one to make up for a pick that doesnt work out. If they didnt do that for any other failed first round pick they certainly arent going to start for the Rockets benefit. That's silly talk to even think a repick is anywhere close to likely.

Not gonna happen, see above.

 

And file a lawsuit?

 

the halls of nba history are littered with players who had tons of potential but never amounted to anything. and in the end, royce white (as much as I wished the best for and rooted for him) is just another one. #BeWell

 

And fail miserably because he doesn't have a case. Then he'll be even more broke from the lawyer fees.

 

Would he sue the Rockets, NBA, and Players Union because they won't allow him to change the CBA according to his own needs? I don't think that's a winnable case.

 

Royce White ‏@Highway_30
It is also alarming how many ppl don't understand THEIR OWN rights as an employee in workforce in the U.S. #BeWell #ADALaw #Research
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Royce, please teach me all my rights as an employee so that I can tell my boss tomorrow I am not coming to work until he gets my protocol written down.

 

Yes Royce. Ppl should follow your lead. The guy who's at home suspended from his job.

 

Royce White ‏@Highway_30
So many ppl talking about money, opportunities, dreams... sounds like a lot of soul sellers. #RecessionRipples What about #HumanWelfare...?
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The only person in this equation who doesn't seem to understand rights associated with the ADA as an employee seems to be Royce. It's really simple. He's asking to (1) rewrite a contract he agreed too, (2) break players association union rules in addition to the contract with the team in doing so and (3) even if he gets his rewrite, it goes beyond the requirement of "reasonable" accommodations as necessitated by the ADA.

Your protocols aren't "reasonable" Royce. You're not gonna #BeWell if you don't #Research your own rights. Maybe hire a lawyer...if you've got one, get a better one.

 

I am an employment lawyer - and he is mischaracterizing the ADA completely. First off, you have to qualify under the ADA - to do this, you must prove that you have a condition that substancially limits a major life activity. So lets say that Maybe anxiety qualifies...he still has to be offered a reasonable accomodation. I would argue that Dleague (less stress) and driving to game meets the standard for reasonableness

On top of this - there is a requirement to engage in an "interactive process" between the employer and employee. This means that the employee's doctor does not get final say and neither does the employer's doctor. BUt they both get a say and the whole group is supposed to them come to some resolution about treatment

NOW...throw in the CBA and the NBPA and you have a real mess. I think it is telling that the NBPA is NOT protesting the suspension.

With Royce going rouge and admitting via twitter that he is not reporting because he wants to make the larger point about treatment for his condition - this is very tough to make a legal ADA agurment when your client admits he CAN play but wants everyone to #bewell before he does.

 

As I understood it, his contract was already rewritten to include the bus/RV traveling once the league OK'ed it. I guess in his mind, Morey should modify it at every whim.

 

...and Royce is a big smelly steaming pile

 

I didn't realize Royce was such a hippie. He's going to give Bill Walton a run for his money, or whatever the bohemian equivalent of it is.