I apologize if this has already been posted. Now the picture becomes clearer. Talk about good timing on the part of the Rockets. http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1002,90%7E195469,00.html
While Nuggets veteran guard Avery Johnson said he had no idea about the Willis issue, he wasn't surprised about the posttrade talk and hoped that both teams would move on. "I've been in this business a long time," Johnson said. "There is always after effects. There is always things that are going to be said. I think everybody just needs to move on. If I can move on from being cut on Christmas Eve, everybody can move on. Whether it's the organization or the player, you got to move on." Man I like Avery. That is one standup guy..... Dude how hard is it to be cut on Christmas Eve... Who did that???
Bernie Bickerstaff, the only other man that might be hated by Nuggets fans more than Issel. Ugh. As for the Willis thing, I'm not sure I believe it. I believe the Issel part, because he's done this before, but I think if Kiki was involved, it would have gotten done. Granted, Kiki's only been here for a few months, but every promise he's made, he's kept so far.
This, of course, begs the obvious question of whether the Rox made an under-the-table deal with Willis. While it is entirely possible he will have another year or two beyond this one at his current condition, I'd hate to be obligated to it.
It's way too early for any extension talk to have been made, but I'm pretty sure he'll be good enough to play another year.
You would have to think that CD and Rudy knew of Willis' desire for a contract extension before trading for him. As much as team chemistry is talked about, I can't imagine them bringing in a player who could disrupt the team due to contract issues. In JONATHAN FEIGEN article, http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1102661 Willis makes it clear that he's looking to play another 2-3 years. If Willis performs the way he did for Denver, I think a 1-2 year extension near his existing salary is a done deal
I don't know if the team will give him around 3 million a year, but then again they gave Moochie and Cato a big contract. I don't know then.
