Tim Duncan takes a pay cut because it will help the Spurs

I'm pretty sure he realized it, but by doing this "act of generosity", Duncan is looking to cement his status as the best PF in the history of the NBA but also as one of the best players ever. As timid looking as he is, Duncan probably cares about his legacy as much as any All-Star player out there

 

I'm not arguing $40 million isn't a lot of money, but 12 Million is 12 Million. What other players, at the height of their game, have signed with their own franchise taking that kind of a cut? Malone WENT to LA for less $$$, he DIDN'T offer to stay in Utah at it (and Shaq didn't give up any dollars to entice him).

And in 2012, at the end of that extension, there will be plenty of players making more than that.

And you know TD isn't well conditioned how? Because he isn't chiseled? He was a world class swimmer before basketball - and he still has "that" build; bet he's in perfectly good "condition". And don't look at Malone for comparison; look at Kareem (Riley just made that comparison).

Parker is the reigning Finals MVP; and is not yet 25; he improves every single year. He won't even enter his 'Prime" for 3 - 4 more years. Nobody went to Dallas to play with Nash, either.

Can't hurt.

Not saying any of this is a lock; but it certainly looks like the Spurs are planning for a future without Duncan, and are not simply resigned to accepting a cellar-dwelling rebuilding status.

 

what an effing G.

 

on another note, watching highlights of their first game against portland... damn, he seems to have gotten younger all of a sudden... very worrying for us...

 

I don't think any team would've been able to afford his max salary in free agency. A team trying for a sign and trade would be getting a 32yo C and gut themselves in the process.

Technically he gave up money, realistically he took the best offer.

 

This raises an interesting question about how to treat your superstar in his prime; do you pay him the max, or do you lowball him slightly because you don't want to be stuck with an albatross contract when the superstar is old and washed up?

For example, what do you think the Rockets should do when Yao's contract is up, assuming he keeps up his 25/10/2/2 production? Or say McGrady's contract if he keeps up his 25/6/6 production?

 

Word, he looked rested and healthy. He played all of the last two seasons busted up.

 

from my understanding ther spurs did offer the max but they also explained to him what their plan was if he accepted the 41 million... He then accepted 41 million..poor guy.

 

here is the explanation

 

the spurs got some special juice floating around there that they sipping on.

 

Pop's pimple juice. It's greaaaaaaaat.

 

Making 20 million dollars a year at age 36 is not exactly a paycut if you ask me.

 

I don't know jack about salaries, but I thought Lebron, Wade, and Melo all resigned for 3 years, $60 million total. Duncan signs for 2 years $40 million. He ends up averaging the same as those 3 guys. Is he really that far off?

 

There are increases every year to max contracts, and the max is higher the more years you have in the league. As is mentioned, Duncan could have signed for an additional $12 million.

 

12 million is no 'small' sacrifice. even by NBA's inflated salary range thats well over a half years pay for Duncan.

kudos to TD.

 

WOW I hate the Spurs but dude is the best player in the whole league and he took a pay cut to not get the max. Are you kidding me ??!

 

The big difference is that they took a paycut to be on another team. TD is taking one so others can be on his team.

 

KG is currently the highest paid player in the league at under $24 million. $32 million is half the salary cap. No team would have offered him $32 million.

 

It is 12 over 2 year. If Rashard lewis can get that ridiculous contract why can't TD. I think 35 year old duncan is still better that Rashard.

 

KG signed his contract prior to the current CBA; he is on a different scale altogether (along with Shaq)