Walker's deal got doctored a little - only 4 years 30M guaranteed

http://www.boston.com/sports/basket...walkers_deal_got_doctored_a_little/?page=full

BASKETBALL NOTES
Walker's deal got doctored a little
Terms adjusted after his physical

By Shira Springer | August 21, 2005

The biggest deal in NBA history almost wasn't.

Not long after Antoine Walker sat for his introductory news conference at American Airlines Arena in Miami and said all the right things, an arthritic condition in his knees gave the Heat pause. According to two Eastern Conference sources, concerns that arose during the Walker physical resulted in a restructuring of his original six-year deal worth $53 million.

Now, the deal is guaranteed for only four years, approximately $30 million, with the final two years being team options. The same two sources added that reaching a compromise was not easy.

But given all it took (five teams, 13 players) to get Walker a deal for more than the midlevel exception in the first place, cooler heads prevailed. It is unlikely Walker would have found more money or a better situation elsewhere. Besides, Walker and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, believe the power forward will prove his value over time and receive the six years of salary.

While Bartelstein initially denied that the Heat took issue with results of the physical, he steered clear of confirming that Walker still had a six-year guarantee.

''I don't know who's saying things, but no one knows but me," said Bartelstein. ''But all I'll tell you is he still has a six-year contract."

When pressed on whether it was a six-year guarantee, Bartelstein said, ''It's a six-year contract. In my opinion, the contract hasn't changed and I think it's going to be the same thing.

''I believe Antoine will get every dollar of the six years. I don't think anything will change. From a practical standpoint, nothing has changed. We think he'll get every dollar of the six years and it won't be an issue at all."

Bartelstein also emphasized that Walker did not fail the physical. If he had, the trade would have been rescinded and the Celtics would be short two second-round draft picks, cash considerations, and two players, Curtis Borchardt and Qyntel Woods.

Already this offseason, one deal has fallen through because of problems discovered in a physical. Shareef Abdur-Rahim was on his way from Portland to New Jersey before a bad knee took the trade off the table. Abdur-Rahim decided to walk away rather than agree to a restructured contract.

''Antoine didn't fail the physical," said Bartelstein. ''What happened is, there were some concerns about some issues. We addressed the concerns and I believe he's going to get the full $53 million of his contract.

''Anyone that knows Antoine knows how durable he is. Based upon his track record and the assurances we've gotten from the Heat, I don't believe there's any question in my mind that he'll get all six years of the contract, the full $53 million."

Durability and a willingness to play through pain were in evidence when Walker competed for the Celtics. His knee condition dates back to his first stay in Boston. In recent years, a trimmer Walker has taken the court, as less weight no doubt relieves pressure on his knees.

During a nine-year career, Walker has missed only 19 of 706 regular-season games, while averaging 38.8 minutes per contest. Four times, he has played all 82 games. He sat for one game with a sprained left thumb in April 2002. He missed only four with a sprained right knee in January 2003. He lost just three to a severely bruised left knee last April, playing through lingering pain and stiffness during the postseason.

His pain tolerance is impressive. But with millions at stake, Miami was probably more worried about his quality of play than his durability in the later years of the contract. Walker turned 29 Aug. 12, celebrating with fellow NBA players Darius Miles, Quentin Richardson, and Shawn Marion among others at Joe's sports bar in Chicago. He will be almost 34 when Miami has to decide about his future with the team.

 

They = his agent.