According to Bucher of ESPN, Cuban will pay Finley's 51M a lot faster than if he signs with an Eastern Conference team. I believe a team can spread out the payment over 10 years, so all he has to do is sign with Miami and to get his money a whole lot faster.
I don't see any reports of it on ESPN, realgm or hoopshype--I am leaning on this being pure specualation and not any confirmation. Det would be a lot smarter to go 100% for Finley, they need the superior 3 point shooting. They also would do themselves a big favor keeping Finley from Miami. I bet Finley goes to Det or Miami--they are the best teams with full MLEs, and if this Cuban payment thing is true it just further makes sense all the way around. Since I think Det is pretty smart club, this move only goes down if they know it is hopeless to land Finley. So if it is true it means Finley has decided, most probably Miami.
What a bummer. I am usually more careful about believing this kind of thing. I guess it was a case of being quick to believe what you want to be true.
According to CBS sportsline today "Michael Finley's arrival on the free-agent market Tuesday had an impact on Latrell Sprewell, whose agent said he'll wait at least a week before signing in Detroit, Houston or elsewhere. " http://cbs.sportsline.com/nba/story/8742247/rss
Spree not coming here is a fantastic. Although I'm sure JVG wanted him (being an aging Knick and all), Spree would never take a salary that would limit his ability to put Big Macks on the table for his family. And you know thats hard to do for under $15 million per year, with inflation and all.
Maybe the free big macs if we score 100 or hold opponents less than 80 would be incentive enough. He would be able to feed his family with those and not have to worry about them.
