RealGM

In what figures to be an epic and most important negotiation of Mitch's time as GM, heres a warm up of the verbal shots between Mitch and Lee.

Lee : " Andrew has been cleared by the doctors "

Kupchak : " As far as we know Andrew has not been cleared by our doctors "

Analysis : Lee knew Andrew hadn't been cleared by the Laker doctors, but he didn't care he was only going by what "their" doctors said.

Now this from Lee :"We aren't going to talk again until September until they have a chance to see what they're getting,''

`I know what we want, I know what the rest of the league thinks of Andrew. I just hope the Lakers are on the same page,''

Analysis : Clearly sending a message that he will control and dominate the negotiations. While Mitch hasn't responded to these recent comments I'm sure he will down the line.

Lee to me and everyone else has exposed his hand by insisting on the max of 5yrs @ 80 mil. But the market has been by guys like Tyson Chandler ( owed 36.7 over next 3 seasons), Eddy Curry (31.5 over 3 yrs). Drew in my opinion is better then those two but I think 5 @ 65-70 mil is fair.

Lee seems to me that he's already been looking for a prospective buyer should the Lakers not give them what they want. This negotiation could make or break Mitch's future as Laker GM.

Lakers will give Drew his deal. He's their baby...his agent needs to shut up already, trying to make a name for himself.

I don't see how it's a battle of egos...

Bynum's agent is trying to maximize leverage for his client's extension.

Mitch is either confused or being low key like he usually is.

Bynum's agent sounds like a douche bag, but agents usually are. But nothing he's doing is out of the ordinary, and it's quite understandable. It's the nature of the beast, it's the business.

But ultimately, it comes down to Bynum and what he wants. Does he want to leave if he doesn't get the max? Or is he willing to cooperate with the team's payroll? Or will he try to pursue the biggest contract possible?

Agents don't make these decisions for them. It's up to Bynum. If this agent is saying stuff Bynum doesn't like, Bynum can fire him.

milesfides wrote:I don't see how it's a battle of egos...

Bynum's agent is trying to maximize leverage for his client's extension.

Mitch is either confused or being low key like he usually is.

Bynum's agent sounds like a douche bag, but agents usually are. But nothing he's doing is out of the ordinary, and it's quite understandable. It's the nature of the beast, it's the business.

But ultimately, it comes down to Bynum and what he wants. Does he want to leave if he doesn't get the max? Or is he willing to cooperate with the team's payroll? Or will he try to pursue the biggest contract possible?

Agents don't make these decisions for them. It's up to Bynum. If this agent is saying stuff Bynum doesn't like, Bynum can fire him.

Doesnt matter what Bynum wants, he will be a restricted free agent. All we have to do is match the offer.

I really dont like the way Bynums agent is going about getting Bynums deal done, but hey thats what agents do. The only time I think it will get serious is when Bynum actually states that I want the max. Last i heard he said he wants to return and it may not be for the max deal. But regardless I am sure the Lakers will work something out with Bynum.

Yup. If I remember correctly, Agents' make 20% in commission of what their clients take. As you can see, it's a really big incentive to maximize a contract, especially if your client is a rising star.

Better get it done soon and if you think you've seen it all with David Lee, wait till Kobe opts out for his final major deal next season.

iamworthy wrote:Doesnt matter what Bynum wants, he will be a restricted free agent. All we have to do is match the offer.

Of course it matters what Bynum wants, because criticizing Bynum's agent as a douche-bag implies that Bynum should get less than the max. In fact, the only reason why Bynum's extension is an issue is because some people don't think he's worth the max.

And considering actual proceedings, it does matters what Bynum want, because the deadline for extensions is October 31st. If Bynum is willing to take less money, it makes a big difference, obviously.

But if Bynum wants the max, and the Lakers won't give it to him this fall, if he doesn't get that extension, then it can become an issue. And then it can become a major headache. See what happened to Deng and Gordon in Chicago.

It can become something that creates bad blood, bad faith, disrespect. It shouldn't, but it can, and frequently does.

The main purpose behind the agent's PUBLIC remarks is in fact to pressure the Lakers by advertising Bynum's availability to the rest of the league. If Bynum doesn't get the extension, it a sign to other teams that they may have a good chance of stealing Bynum - teams can then start making moves to clear cap space.

Of course, all of this is avoided if Bynum is willing to accept a lesser deal now.

Like Chicago the Lakers can match any offer. If Lee wants max and the Lakers are not offering that he will have to wait.

Luxury wrote:Yup. If I remember correctly, Agents' make 20% in commission of what their clients take. As you can see, it's a really big incentive to maximize a contract, especially if your client is a rising star.

It's actually only 4%, if was 20% most guys would likely go with out an agent.

milesfides wrote:

iamworthy wrote:Doesnt matter what Bynum wants, he will be a restricted free agent. All we have to do is match the offer.

Of course it matters what Bynum wants, because criticizing Bynum's agent as a douche-bag implies that Bynum should get less than the max. In fact, the only reason why Bynum's extension is an issue is because some people don't think he's worth the max.

And considering actual proceedings, it does matters what Bynum want, because the deadline for extensions is October 31st. If Bynum is willing to take less money, it makes a big difference, obviously.

But if Bynum wants the max, and the Lakers won't give it to him this fall, if he doesn't get that extension, then it can become an issue. And then it can become a major headache. See what happened to Deng and Gordon in Chicago.

It can become something that creates bad blood, bad faith, disrespect. It shouldn't, but it can, and frequently does.

The main purpose behind the agent's PUBLIC remarks is in fact to pressure the Lakers by advertising Bynum's availability to the rest of the league. If Bynum doesn't get the extension, it a sign to other teams that they may have a good chance of stealing Bynum - teams can then start making moves to clear cap space.

Of course, all of this is avoided if Bynum is willing to accept a lesser deal now.

Your only worth what someone is willing to pay for you so in that regard it doesnt matter what Bynum or in Agent wants. Now I have no doubt that the lakers will probably offer him a deal like Andrew Bogut a 5 yr 60 mil with bonuses that can make it a little higher and if he doesnt take that then we will go into next summer and he will be a restricted free agent. Thats when we will get to see what he's worth. Plus with the limited amount of teams that will have that kind of cap room its going to be hard for teams to offer anything. Especially with teams saving thier cap room for the Lebron, Wade's and Melo's. So come next summer if no one offers Bynum more that 60 million then the lakers were justified in making that offer. If someone does offer money then his value will be set and the lakers will have no choice but to match it. Now if Bynum is still not happy with the lakers offer and the offers of other teams that of course he can play one more year with the lakers and become a unrestricted free agent and again will be faced with the problem of which team will have the cap room to sign him to big dollars. He also would be taking a major risk for someone coming off a knee injury to go into the last year of his contract without any long term security all over a few more million. Im sure the Lakers will let the process play out knowing they have the upper hand. I dont see any reason to pay him max dollars this year when you have two more years to give him that same deal. If we can some how get bynum to take a 60-70 mill contract we may have money to sign Trevor, Farmar without reaching a tab of 100 mill

20% agent fee - NO
More like 4-5% for the agent. All of the outsourced fees, agent/publicist/attorney retainer etc may add up to 20%, but the agent does not get 20. If any agent asked for 20, Rob Pelinka would swoop in and snatch that client up for 4%.

i'll put money on mitch, guy's huge

andrew should take a hint from Arenas and what went wrong with Shaq in part: hog the money and you'll have no backup. Be reasonable on a dynasty and you'll make the money in endorsements, accolades will follow, and you'll be happier because winning cures all. Almost.

Is it possible to introuduce performance based incentives in NBA contracts? It could do a lot of good imo.

iamworthy wrote:
Doesnt matter what Bynum wants, he will be a restricted free agent. All we have to do is match the offer.

And if say OKC or Portland offers Bynum a deal starting at $18 million the Lakers are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Village Idiot wrote:

iamworthy wrote:
Doesnt matter what Bynum wants, he will be a restricted free agent. All we have to do is match the offer.

And if say OKC or Portland offers Bynum a deal starting at $18 million the Lakers are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

I dont believe they can offer such a high starting amount. so....

Phil_2.0 wrote:

Village Idiot wrote:

iamworthy wrote:
Doesnt matter what Bynum wants, he will be a restricted free agent. All we have to do is match the offer.

And if say OKC or Portland offers Bynum a deal starting at $18 million the Lakers are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

I dont believe they can offer such a high starting amount. so....

They can!

Add Memphis and Atlanta (depending on Josh Smith) to the list as well.

It's not like Portland needs Bynum but it wouldn't surprise me if Paul Allen and Kevin Pritchard force the Lakers' hand.

Village Idiot wrote:

Phil_2.0 wrote:

Village Idiot wrote:
I dont believe they can offer such a high starting amount. so....

They can!

Add Memphis and Atlanta (depending on Josh Smith) to the list as well.

It's not like Portland needs Bynum but it wouldn't surprise me if Paul Allen and Kevin Pritchard force the Lakers' hand.

A couple things. No they cant. Lebron James couldnt get 18 million per year coming off his Rookie contract. Its not the way the CBA works.

Also, Paul Allen is not and cannot offer more than the Lakers and they wont just throw and deal out there for fun.

The Lakers are prepared to give Bynum the max and will assuming he is good to go. No other team can interfere. He is ours to lose.

My point is that all four of the teams I mention (with the possible exception of Atlanta) will probably have enough cap-space to offer Bynum a deal starting at $18 million.

Portland looks to have about $20 million going into the next off-season. They could force the Lakers hand and offer Bynum $18 milion starting. If the Lakers match they've overpaid for Bynum and their future options are more restricted. If they don't, they can trade Aldridge for a top-flight SF and move Oden to PF.

Paul Allen is one of the richest men on the planet. Don't underestimate his willingness to spend to build a winner. He has the means and the will.