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BOBBY MOTUS
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January 26, 2018
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THE NBA trading deadline is on Feb. 9, Philippine time, and people who have inside sources on teams around the league are already speculating on players who could be moved. They have player options on their contracts, which they could use to seek more pay.
A player option gives these millionaires a choice between staying with their current team on the final year of their contracts, or being a free agent a year early and shop around for teams willing to pay them a lot higher than their previous employers.
Teams could also opt to deal a certain player to escape a potential full max contract demand. Loosely explained, a full max depends on the length of time the player has played in the league. A six-year vet is eligible for an increase of 25 percent of the salary cap. Seven- to nine-year vets get 30 percent, while those who had played in the league for more than 10 years get 35 percent.
Some of the big names rumored to be on the trading block are:
PAUL GEORGE (five years, $91.5 million). The Lakers had shown quite an interest in their desire to have PG in purple and gold yet he has not shown nor issued some clear statement as to his desire to go someplace outside of OKC. I think PG will remain in Thunder uniform unless the Lakers offer them something they can’t refuse.
MARC GASOL (five years, $113.2 million). Although 32, Gasol is still very serviceable and has good basketball IQ. A team with a weak middle will certainly get a huge upgrade with him around. Memphis is not exactly doing well and dealing him for a high draft pick and another player or two could give the Grizzlies some components to start a rebuild. If he opts out, his new team should be willing to pay Gasol the remaining $94 million due him.
DEANDRE JORDAN (four years, $87.6 million). At 29, Jordan is averaging more than 11 points a game and is a monster rebounder with at least 15 rebounds per game. He’s a strong defensive player that, like Gasol, any team in need of a strong inside presence will greatly benefit. His point production comes almost exclusively from explosive dunks.
DEMARCUS COUSINS (four years, $65.6 million). DMC is on the final year of his contract and becomes an unrestricted free agent when the season ends. New Orleans must be able to convince him (and pay him more) that he and Anthony Davis will be their winning combination or he will be looking for a bigger salary jump. And, of course, deal with his temper.
NIKOLA MIROTIC (one year, $12.5 million). After his three-year deal with Chicago ended, the Spanish national player signed a one-year contract extension this season. He wishes to be traded out of the Bulls as obviously, the altercation and the punch on the face from Bobby Portis is still fresh on his mind. Coming back from injury, he’s averaging 17 points and seven rebounds. He spaces the floor well, has a good medium range jump shot and is simply a wide body that can be an effective defensive stopper.
The three following players on the Lakers just might be shipped in their chase for PG24 and LeBron James. Dealing away their remaining combined salary of $32 million will give the Lakers some financial muscle to negotiate for one of these superstars.
Randle and Clarkson were long rumored to be on the trading block and they could be attractive to other teams. Both are energy guys and are averaging above 13 points each game. Randle is 23, Clarkson is 25 and will be a good component in a team’s rotation for a long time.
Nance Jr. will be a bargain but personally, the Lakers would be a bad idea to deal away a very versatile and young player if only the reason is to chase a big name player. Nance Jr. makes winning plays, most of them gravity defying that make Nance Sr. very proud.
It’s such a waste to see these three young Lakers go but we have no control over the affairs of NBA teams, no matter how questionable we think it might be. The current lineup, in my opinion, is an above 30-win team but there seems to be a problem with on-court personnel. At the end of the day, LeBron and George will still be playing with their current teams and Coach Luke Walton will continue to liquefy our brains with his player rotation.
Bottom line, the NBA is still a business and it really doesn’t matter if these players earn ridiculous amounts of money. They are still commodities that can be dealt and exchanged if the owners so wish./PN
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