I love Ray Allen, wish he were a Rock...but even the Sonics' offer seems high!: http://www.tribnet.com/sports/basketball/sonics/story/5520283p-5458058c.html Allen asking Sonics for deal worth $100 million FRANK HUGHES; The News Tribune Citing the recently signed contract of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen has told the Seattle SuperSonics he wants a contract extension worth $100 million over five seasons, according to sources. In early August, Bryant, after visiting several teams, signed a contract with the Lakers worth $136 million over six seasons. Allen's reasoning, according to sources, is that while he may not be as good as Bryant, he still is an All-Star and is not worth considerably less, a fact bolstered by the virtually one-on-one shootout Allen and Bryant had Jan. 2, a game that Allen ultimately won for the Sonics in the final seconds when he split two defenders for a scoop shot, his 35th point. Bryant scored 32 points in that game, overshadowing Gary Payton's return to Seattle. The Sonics are believed to be offering close to $70 million over five seasons, with a starting salary of around $11 million. If Allen's contract demands were extended to six seasons, it would be a contract worth $126 million. If the Sonics' offer was extended to six seasons, it would be worth $86.6 million. Sonics general manager Rick Sund is on vacation and unavailable for comment, a team spokesperson said. Sources say that Allen is adamant about his demands and that he is willing to play out the final season of his contract without an extension and go into next summer as an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any team. Allen's stance comes after a summer in which he has seen seemingly exorbitant contracts bestowed upon marginal players, including a seven-year, $73 million contract to Erick Dampier with Dallas, five years and $41.6 million to Adonal Foyle with Golden State and six years and $34 million to Brian Cardinal with Memphis. Those three, all frontcourt players, combined to average 25 points and 20 rebounds per game last season. Allen averaged 23 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Meanwhile, the Sonics are taking a more fiscally responsible approach in the hopes they can avoid a luxury tax and possibly sign another player next summer to add to their core. They are hoping Allen is not willing to risk losing money because of a probable change to the collective bargaining agreement, which will be renegotiated. The question, of course, is whether the Sonics will trade Allen if they feel he is not likely to accept their offer. It is a question that will hover over the organization until the February trade deadline. If the Sonics are unable to sign Allen to an extension, they will have only $22 million committed to salaries next summer, meaning they could have about $25 million for free agency. Also, if Allen wants to maximize his value, he would need to work out a sign-and-trade deal next summer, something the Sonics have the ability to control. Frank Hughes: 253-597-8742, ext. 6120 frank.hughes@mail.tribnet.com (Published 12:54AM, September 8th, 2004)
Allen is asking for way too much. But I dont blame him after the money that was thrown around this offseason. (Although comparing him to Bryant is ridiculous!) The Sonics look to me like a team that is trying to be fiscally conservative. I doubt they will pay Allen that money, especially since Allen is up there in age and has had a history of some injury problems. This has all the makings of a before the Trading Deadline type trade with another team. If SAR doesnt get traded beforehand, some sort of SAR/Allen trade would make sense for both teams.
They have supposedly talked their heads off and can't make a deal -- odd to me, too. RA is terrific and a great guy. But, c'mon Ray, who will pay what you pray?
It's more than likely that Ray Allen is asking for this much because he knows that Sonics won't even consider it. He's been dropping hints for a year that he'd be happy to leave, and this could be his way of compelling the Sonics to trade him. He's got to like his chances there, with so many stars demanding out (Abdur-Rahim, VC, Baron Davis, Peja, etc). He's also sharp enough to know that he won't get a max or even near-max contract if he becomes a free agent. Besides the fact that next to no one would have the cap space, how many teams would take that kind of gamble? Also, who knows what will happen with the new CBA? Evan
Is he better than Allan Houston, Eddie Jones, Michael Finley, Jalen Rose, Jason Richardson (?), Latrell Spreewell, Penny Hardaway at the time they got MAX deals? I'd say he's better than all of them but Penny, so show him the $money$.
No way I pay that if I'm the Sonics, that officially would put them in the same neighborhood with the Nix and Allan Houston, you do not build a winning club by giving good but not great players the big bucks. I would have been on the phone as soon as he asked for that much looking to trade him.
Am I the only guy who thinks Ray Allan is an elite SG? The only thing I see his game lacking is a fancy handle, the guy can do everything else. He's obviously one of the leagues best shooters, pretty good rebounder, pretty good defender, he's one of the more underrated passers at guard in the NBA, and he's only had a couple of losing seasons in his career.
Realisticly Ray Allen should be looking for a contract something near what Richard Hamilton got which was something like 7 years 65M I think. Allen probably wont get that many years but that 65M is a lot closer to what the Sonics were talking about. Hamilton and Allen have very similar games except Hamilton is much younger.
The players these days are ridiculous asking for these huge contracts. Don't they make enough as it is?!?
no hamilton is far less of a complete player when compared to allen. while both have good jumpshots (allen is imo the better shooter) allen is a better passer, rebounder and better at creating his own shot. hamilton imo is nothing but a poor man reggie miller. he needs someone else to help him get his shot. allen is worth the $, but 100 mill over 5 years? thats an avg of 20mil/year i dont think allen is worth that much money. I believe the sonics offer of 70/5 is a fair value contract for allen.
I also feel that Ray is an elite SG; the man can basically do it all: shoot, rebound, pass, and even defend (though that is one aspect of his game everyone overlooks). I honestly love this guy to death. Still, asking for this much has to be a negotiating ploy. It's in the mold of a TMac "I want out", albeit a little more subtle. He knows that the Sonics won't shell out that kind of money, so he'll get his wish and be able to go somewhere else. Shrewd move on the part of RayRay.
Yeah, he's an elite SG... and worth about the $70 million/5 years he was offered. Someone will offer him as much in free agency. But, if he's the best player on your team, you're in trouble; he can't carry you. He'd make a great #2 guy. Seattle has the same trouble with Rashard Lewis who would also be a good #2 guy. But, they don't have a #1. And they won't get one if they're handcuffed to Allen.
the owners created this market. if they dont like it they should have thought of the consequences before handing out all those gigantic contracts earlier this summer. this reminds me of the same offseason j howard and others got those huge contracts which eventually, iirc, led to the collective bargaining thingee. this also reminds me of the recent trend in guys demanding trades that have no contractual rights at all, ala francis, shaq, davis, etc. the owners better nip that **** in the bud quick like.
it seems that you are refering to this past offseason when francis never wanted to be traded (though he did in vancouver) even with the grizzles i believe he wasnt under contract just yet and demanded the trade.
Maybe Yao will ask for $180 million over a 7 year period after his rookie contract expires. Then only Golden State, New York, LA, and Mav can bid for him!
