http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1911362 SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs have come to an impasse in talks of a contract extension, causing the point guard's agent to end negotiations, the San Antonio Express-News is reporting. The Spurs offered $64 million for six years and Parker asked for $68 million, though a source close to the situation told the newspaper that the player would be willing to compromise at $66 million. If a contract extension is not signed by Sunday, Parker will become a restricted free agent next off-season and the Spurs will have the right to match any offer he accepts. "We've been told [Spurs chairman] Peter Holt won't pay a penny above $64 million," Marc Fleisher, Parker's agent, told the Express-News. "We respectfully think Tony's value is higher and that it just makes more sense for him to wait until the summer." Fleisher expected a new proposal this week before the Spurs informed him that an increase would not be forthcoming. Parker had said last week that he was "very confident" a deal could be nailed down. Still, he's hopeful the Spurs will reconsider. "I would like to get it done, but I don't know if we will be able to," Parker said. "Marc says the Spurs' offer isn't fair. He thinks we can do better in the summer. He might be right." At $64 million, Parker would be getting far more than the $52 million over six years that Manu Ginobili got over the summer and would trail only Tim Duncan (seven years, $122 million) and David Robinson (six years, $66 million) in team history. Parker is seeking substantially less than what some other rookies of his year have received. Memphis' Pau Gasol recently got a max six-year, $86 million extension and Utah's Andrei Kirilenko, another Fleisher clients, reportedly is getting the same max deal. New Jersey's Richard Jefferson signed for $76 million over six years. "I think there's a good chance he could get a max deal next summer," Fleisher said. Some Spurs' officials privately agree, according to the News-Express, though Parker is taking a gamble because the league's collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of the season. Plus, there's the chance of serious injury.
I don't know about a max deal, and I understand $2 million is a lot of money, but if these guys don't get this done, bothe sides are stupid. $64 million, $68 million, $66 million...c'mon, what's the difference. All that said, I think the approximate numbers as being discussed are probably right for Parker, though it is potentially possibly that some team out there would give him more.
He should sign, the CBA expires at the end of this year and the rumor is that the salary cap is going to be bargained down. DD
Man, I hope that the max deals also come down if the salary cap also takes a hit downwards. Sheesh, some of these teams will NEVER get out of salary cap hell.
He'd better hope he has a break out year. I don't think 68 is what he wanted, what he wanted was 66. He says 68 and then acts like he's willing to meet the Spurs half way.
they're arguing over 4 million? i'm trying to think of ever hearing this small of a discrepancy in negotations and both sides acting like neither can budge. i mean if one side says 60 and the other says 80 you can understand an impasse. 64 or 68? give me a break. do 66 and move the hell on. yeah, you're taking less than you can get just to help the spurs out. you either know the CBA will change and you'll get less or you know he won't get that.
Word has it Parker would have taken $66. Considering what other bozos are getting, they should have jumped on it. Bad move on the part of the Spurs, unless they're banking on contract lengths and raises being reduced in the new CBA. Evan
Tony Parker must be just about the biggest idiot in the league. I can't believe he'd let his agent break off talks over a 6% difference. Hello, McFly? Sign this year and you make over $10 million a year for 6 years. Sign next year and you may make as much, but over 3 or 4 years.
Agreed. I hope he signs with the Hawks - that'll drop San Antonio's power rank quite a bit and make it easier for us to beat them. -- droxford
It's amazing how overpaid Parker would be with a contract like that. He deserves around 5-6 mill per year.
Parker should take the $64 mill and shutup. Whats an extra $4 mill when you have a chance to play on a team that will make it to the playoffs every year, not to mention playing w/ one of the best players of all time, IMO. Duncan makes him better w/ out him he wouldnt even be worth $64 mill to start with. So ether take the money or go cry in a corner becuase your gona get screwed when the season is over.
Not if you look at the ridiculous contracts that scrubs like Derek Fisher and some others got this summer. I agree though, it petty to argue over 2-3 million dollars when you will be making $64 million to play a game.
What you write is so true. And yet....a sports agent can mess up a player's thinking. If Tony is happy with "only" 64 million, or whatever, then take it; but that agent is always there to say, "Hey, you deserve more. I can get you more. The Spurs organization is notoriously cheap (true statement; Duncan had to go visit Orlando before the Spurs would put the max on the table, and that's for arguably the best player in the game) and this is the game they always play." Now, if Parker winds up with the max from another team (blarf!) then more power to him. Not likely to happen, though.
The silly part is $64 million in San Antonio is probably worth $70 or $80 million in LA or NY because of the state income tax and the higher housing costs. Plus he's a hero on a perennial contender with a young nucleus. It's not like Tony Parker is going to get a big shoe deal just because he moves to a major market.
