When the subject was broached with Maggette several weeks ago, he said that it was not something that he felt comfortable talking about at the present time but gladly would address the topic at a later date.
By deciding to opt out, Maggette would become an unrestricted free agent and would be walking away from a guaranteed $7 million for the final year of his six-year contract. The Clippers, however, seem confident that they can sign Maggette to a new multiyear deal.
"My answer is the same as it was in the fall,'' team president Andy Roeser said. "We expect to be able to re-sign him, when the time comes."
Dunleavy equally was optimistic.
"There's no reason for me to think otherwise,'' Dunleavy said, when asked if he was confident that Maggette would remain with the Clippers. "Of course, he could go anywhere.''
Dunleavy pointed out, however, that Maggette would be in position to reap more financially by returning to the Clippers, who could sign him to another six-year deal, rather than the maximum five-year contract another NBA team could offer. Maggette's yearly percentage raises also would be higher if he re-signed with the Clippers, rather than if he signed with another team as a free agent.
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