NEWS: Yao Says He'll Stay a Rocket, Trains with Falsone

Sweet! Thanks for the translation!

 

I think this thread title might need to be changed.

Obviously it's encouraging that Falsone is following Yao around the world and hounding him to build his endurance (yea for that!!), but comments about his emotional connection to Houston, determination to win a ring here, signing the extension, other teams unrealistic hopes of stealing him from us, etc. are much more significant. IMO

Thanks for bringing the story to the BBS folks!

 

Just a quick review of this in NBA terms...

Rookie contracts are three years with a 1-year extention team option.

The Rockets picking up Yao's option means he will be under contract to the Rockets this season (04-05) and next season (05-06).

At the end of the 04-05 season, the Rockets are allowed exclusive negotiating rights for a long-term extension. If it is the maximum amount allowed (we have to assume so with Yao), it could be 7 years BEYOND his first four seasons.

If that occurs, Yao will be signed as a Rocket from 2006-2013.

There are no 3-year extensions that he would sign. I'm assuming here that there was a mixup because of McGrady's signing for an additional 3 years on top of his current contract, which, in his case, would be 5 seasons including this one because his initial contract still runs for 2 more seasons.

In reality, the only way for Yao to be a free agent would be for the Rockets to not be able to sign him to an extension after next summer and allow another team to sign him following the 05-06 season. But, even then, the Rockets will have the right of first refusal on any contract meaning that they can match any offer Yao receives.

By the way, the Rockets and Yao cannot agree to an extention - they can't even discuss it - before the end of this coming season. The league is extremely picky about that and no way the Rockets jeoparadize their chances at signing Yao by averting league rules and working on a deal now.

 

Jeff- This is a pretty excellent summary. A couple of minor things.

If signed next offseason, Yao's extension can be 7 years beyond his first 3 years. The general rule of thumb is that players can't be under contract for more than 7 seasons in advance.

From the CBA

Assuming he signs it next offseason, he's already under contract for year 4, thus his extension can last 6 more years. Yao could opt to sign a lesser extension a la Tim Duncan, I don't see why he would; presumably, we'll have locked up McGrady by next offseason (by the end of this one).

The best hope Yao would have at being a free agent would be to not sign an extension, and accept a QO for year 5. 3 seasons from now is the earliest Yao can become an unrestricted free agent.

Also, if McGrady signs an extension this offseason, he'd have 6 more years as a Rocket. He's about to enter year 5. His initial contract has a a player option on year 6 (year after this one), but if he chooses to play it out, year 7 is automatic. If he signs an extension, the player option on year 6 is automatically exercised, thus 3 years on top of his current 3 years.

 

yes, item 4 and 8 are translated perfectly.

 

NIKE: Thanks for the corrections. I almost put "Anyone want to check my math?" at the bottom of my post. Me no like math. Thanks for doing that.

 

I'm most excited about the Falsone news. It's great! Thanks!

 

Let me throw this out there...

Any chance Yao signs for less than the MAX? To give the Rockets flexibility in signing other pieces?

All of the quotes by Yao say money is not an issue; that much is evident when he sued coca-cola. I know Yao would accept that agreement -- Team Yao however probably wants the $

 

Yeah, I think he'll just do the basic 6 year extension with the early termination option after year 4. That way, he's lined-up for a new longterm contract that would just about finish off his career.

 

That's a totally unfair request. Maybe at the twilight of his career, or when the opportunity is absolutely obvious it's something he'd consider... but at this point in time, even bringing it up is inconsiderate.

LongTimeFan, would you consider donating above face value for your season tickets? Just to, you know, pad the Houston Rockets budget so the team can travel in more comfort.

 

Never try that. That's a dispect for your Franchise players.
It would be enough for him to leave and no one would blame him.

 

ClutchBBS rules - we get news from China, and have an excellent in-house translator.

 

Great job, man. Much appreciated.

 

The Rockets won't be close to getting under the cap anyway. With McGrady's giant deal and Yao to follow, they won't have any wiggle room for a while, so it really doesn't matter.

Besides, the players' union would freak out if a max player took less than the max. Bad for other players.

 

For those of you who mis-interpreted it, I wasn't suggesting the Rockets come to Yao about this. But I wouldn't be entirely shocked if something like that was discussed if the Rockets were truely handicapped with McGrady's and other contracts. Yao sued coke for a penny, he has million dollar endorsements -- money is not a big issue and IMO I don't think he'd mind. His employees however

Jeff: What could the union do? Demand he get paid more?

 

Yao Ming
2004/05 $4,436,880
2005/06 $5,594,905
2006/07 $7,273,377

 

Practically. I know that the MLB Players Union really pushed Jim Thome to take the bigger bucks that the Phillies were offering instead of staying in Cleveland for less money. At the very least, Billy Hunter will have a loooooong talk with Bill Duffy (Yao's agent) if Yao or the Rockets even think about doing this.

And speaking of agents, I don't think there isn't any chance Duffy would consider this. Have you ever known an agent that let his client take less money for the good of the team. Maybe a couple guys at the end of their career (i.e. Payton, Malone). But it's pretty much unheard of for a young guy that's just getting off his rookie deal.

 

Pryuen has run from yaomimgmania but brings his good posts with him.

 

Malone ? Why do I suddenly want to vomit ?

 

FYI, Rockets decided to pick up Yao's 4th year option back in December, 2002 ; after some heated arguments among the managment.