Vote: Swing for the Fences or Play it Safe with James?

I agree that it's wrong to characterize James as a "saviour." A MLE contract wouldn't suggest that. It suggests that he is an important, high end role player. He is far more similar in importance to Shane Battier than Tmac or Yao. I seem to recall that Battier has a MLE type contract figure.

 

It sounds like we have offered a 4 year MLE or 5 year TE, and James is thinking about it. It sounds like that's comparable to what other teams have offered. I agree, James would be somewhat pigheaded if he insisted on the 4 year MLE given that the numbers are fairly similar. That said, under the 4 year MLE, he gets his money earlier and can pickup a new contract in year 5.

But if he's holding out for a 5th year on the MLE because that's what he believes he should get, then there's no "not care about winning" in that position. That's about getting what he feels he is worth, particularly for a guy that has been a journeyman all his life and has one, and probably only one, opportunity to cash in. I don't harbor that against him at all.

 

Who is the better player? James or Battier?

Battier has a 6 yr/$36.8 MM contract. I think it is widely regarded as a reasonable contract.

James at 5 years/$30MM? That's unreasonable? He will be 35/36 at the end of his contract. Battier will be 33 (I think) at the end of his. James is a good athlete that doesn't appear likely to lose his athleticism.