Spree starts playing contract hardball

[jn]

Or at least heats up the rhetoric.   I'm still not too concerned.  I'd prefer it didn't get to this point but I have faith in Taylor to get this straightened out.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/9982907.htm

[westkoast]

Spree has always been known to be a drama queen.  I wouldn't have been suprised if I read 'If I dont get my contract extension I will crack upper management's head with a Cristal bottle'.

This is serious tho.  The Wolves, with Cassell and Spree back, are the second best team in the west next to SA IMO.

[Reality]

"If the talks drag past the season opener, Sprewell will be reluctant to continue negotiations, and instead will ask for a sign-and-trade deal or wait to become a free agent at the end of the season. If he becomes a free agent, he said, he would not re-sign with the Timberwolves."

As long as Punk Spreey Spree plays hard this year  :huh: do you jn and the Wolves care whether or not he extends?

""I'm not trying to take a pay cut," he said. "A lot of other guys out there aren't doing as well as I am and still making as much, if not more."

Spree should we start a list of those who are doing more then you for less?

What became of Cassells ext request?

 

[Guest_Randy]

Spree wants a three year extension in the SAME tune (or better) than his current contract -- which would put him around $15 mill a year.  That is FRANCHISE player money in today's lottery tax era and there is ZERO way that Spree is worth that.  Is Spree a great player?  Not anymore -- is he a very good player, yes!  But $15 mill a year isn't All-Star salary -- it's superstar salary and Spree ISN'T in that category.  This is the same kind of money that Sam Cassell wants (and Spree's present contract is a LOT of the reason that Sammy is upset, IMO).

This doesn't bode well for the TWolves -- they need a focused team on the court because they have a REAL shot this year.  But they are going to need everyone focused on TEAM play to accomplish that dream and beat the Spurs and Pistons -- and that ISN'T going to happen with Spree and Sam crying and wanting their diapers changed.  I hope that KG helps explain to these guys the meaning of life -- at least in Minnesota and that fact that this meaning doesn't begin with "me."

[JoMal]

Next season, if the Wolves do nothing in the way of contract extensions or trades before then, Minnesota will be at about $46.5 million in total contract payout with seven players signed. Besides Sprewell ($14.665 million this season), Ervin Johnson ($4.998), Troy Hudson, ($4.9); and Mark Madsen ($1.65) come off the books after 2004/05.

By just giving Sprewell what he wants, the Wolves will eliminate just about all their maneuverability under the cap by putting them right back up over $60 million. Right now, they have a payroll of over $68 million, well into the luxury tax stage. The salary cap is expected to be about $43.87 for the 2004/05 season.  

Simple economics says the team should think long and hard before giving Sprewell an extension. Even a one year extension means the team will have to either restructure existing contracts or eliminate other salary concerns next season. Several years of paying the luxury tax will make the Wolves quickly rethink those larger contracts with the possibility of dwindling returns, such as is likely with aging guards like Sprewell and Cassell.

But you also have to realyze that both of these players know they are unlikely to get a max contract in a year or two, so they need to secure their futures now rather then later, when all teams are likely going to only offer them exception money.

[Reality]

Several years of paying the luxury tax will make the Wolves quickly rethink those larger contracts with the possibility of dwindling returns, such as is likely with aging guards like Sprewell and Cassell.

But you also have to realyze that both of these players know they are unlikely to get a max contract in a year or two, so they need to secure their futures now rather then later, when all teams are likely going to only offer them exception money.

So what do the Wolves have to lose by refusing to extend Spree?  He is signed thru this year.

Surely he wants a payday beyond this season.  If he pouts and holds out or has a sucky year, he knows now that the offer Non Wolves teams would offer him for 2005-6 beyond will greatly lessen from the 14.5 he pulls now.

OTOH, it's generally a given that in a contract year pro atheletes will put out much more effort, so as to increase thier new contract payday.  So fine, get a good year out of Spree  :huh:  and let him bail.  

Even if he has a good year will any team offer him more then 14.5 for 2005-6 and beyond?  I suppose a lot of teams would give him that and more for one season.
However Spree wants Multiyear, no?  Given the disaster other good but aging vets extorted (Scottie Pippen, Mt. Tumble, etc) in multiyear contracts, will owners never learn?

 

[Derek Bodner]

Cassell's been complaining about his contract pretty much from the moment he signed it.  He did with the Bucks.  It's not because of Spree's current contract.

Even if he has a good year will any team offer him more then 14.5 for 2005-6 and beyond? I suppose a lot of teams would give him that and more for one season.

No team can offer him that much money.  The maximum's around 12, unless they work out a sign and trade (and in that aspect, it wouldn't be a good idea to piss off his current team, the one who has the facilitate the trade).

[Reality]

No team can offer him that much money.  The maximum's around 12, unless they work out a sign and trade (and in that aspect, it wouldn't be a good idea to piss off his current team, the one who has the facilitate the trade).

So Spree can get the most money by far? realistically from the Wolves for 2005-6 & 2006-7.

While he barks about bolting to another team, unless he has an extremely kick arse year, he's going to get either less $$$ or the Wolves are gonna get a sign n trade.

Seems like the Wolves have all the incentive to not extend and about zero incentive to extend.  Correct?  At the very least the Wolves can wait and see what kind of year he is having.  In fact can they wait until the final day of the season (and playoffs) and still have the option to extend and/or sign n trade?

[Lurker]

Actually there are 2 different provisions that allow Spree to get max money.

First as a 10+ year vet he can earn $14 mil or 35% of the salary cap whichever is greater.

Second by holding a contract that predates the current CBA any team can sign him to 105% of his final salary under his existing contract.

Where Minny holds the edge is in annual raises...they can give 12.5% while other teams are limited to 10%.

However there is a kicker....for salary cap purposes there is an acceleration clause for players over age 30 who sign long term deals.  Spree will turn 35 in Sept 2005.  If he signs a 7-yr contract next summer the final 3 years of salary will be split over the first four years for cap purposes.  In essence the cap hit could be 133% of the actual salary and a potential luxury tax nightmare.

[JoMal]

It essentially boils down to what kind of committment Minnesota can reasonably expect to give a player closing in on the end of his career. Sprewell's expectations far exceed what the Wolves, being the prudent, economically ethical sports team that we all know they are,  :nonono:    would be willing to give him to keep him through his NBA doderage.

[Reality]

Sprewell's expectations far exceed what the Wolves, being the prudent, economically ethical sports team that we all know they are,  :nonono:    would be willing to give him to keep him through his NBA doderage.

No more sleepless nights.

To ensure that Snoop Sprees cornroll hairdo cans can continue to be affordable to Spree and updated and maintained by quality stylists beyond the 2004-5 season, I am announcing the "Cornrolls Free For Spree Foundation."  Checks or money orders can be sent to PO Box 100, NY NY 20021.  

[Guest_Randy]

The Wolves can't afford to give Spree what he wants -- it's amazing that he sees himself deserving of that kind of money.  Let him get out into the free agent market and he will soon come to realize that NOBODY, outside himself and his agent, thinks that he is worth MAX money.  He is worth $7 a year at this point in his career -- nothing more, IMO.  He isn't a player that can strap a team on his back -- never was one, IMO.

What kills me is that I think that the TWolves WANT to honor Spree -- but at the same time, they are trying to keep from laughing in his face when he tells them he isn't going to take a pay cut.  The TWolves only have ONE guy who deserves the Max -- and he was willing to take a pay cut in order to free up salary cap money.  Spree needs an agent who will tell him the TRUTH -- not tell him what he wants to hear, of course, agents are like lawyers, they don't even know the truth anymore.

[westkoast]

Sprewell's expectations far exceed what the Wolves, being the prudent, economically ethical sports team that we all know they are,  :nonono:    would be willing to give him to keep him through his NBA doderage.

No more sleepless nights.

To ensure that Snoop Sprees cornroll hairdo cans can continue to be affordable to Spree and updated and maintained by quality stylists beyond the 2004-5 season, I am announcing the "Cornrolls Free For Spree Foundation."  Checks or money orders can be sent to PO Box 100, NY NY 20021.

Actually he has his money invested pretty well.  His custom car shop alone brings in more money than any of us on the board see in a few years of working.  I don't think he's hurting for money, just realizing he has very little time to milk serious money each year.  Greed consumes.

Sam Cassell wants that kind of money too?!?!?!  WTF!!!!  After what happend last year who in their right mind would give him that kind of money?  Id give him 5-6 a year and offer a PPO dental plan.