Update: Motiejunas now a UFA as Rockets have released his rights

[Smitty731]

Larry Coon's blog on this situation: http://cbafaq.com/blog/?p=381

This basically lays it out per the CBA, which is all that really matters. Motiejunas doesn't really have options here.

[CptCrunch]

Larry Coon's blog on this situation: http://cbafaq.com/blog/?p=381

This basically lays it out per the CBA, which is all that really matters. Motiejunas doesn't really have options here.

Don't worry. I'm sure BJ Armstrong is a CBA expert. He knows all about them CBA loopholes that Morey or Coon doesn't.

[HartfordWhalers]

Larry Coon's blog on this situation: http://cbafaq.com/blog/?p=381

This basically lays it out per the CBA, which is all that really matters. Motiejunas doesn't really have options here.

Don't worry. I'm sure BJ Armstrong is a CBA expert. He knows all about the them CBA loopholes that Morey or Coon doesn't.

Well done.

[loserX]

Larry Coon's blog on this situation: http://cbafaq.com/blog/?p=381

This basically lays it out per the CBA, which is all that really matters. Motiejunas doesn't really have options here.

Don't worry. I'm sure BJ Armstrong is a CBA expert. He knows all about the them CBA loopholes that Morey or Coon doesn't.

"They didn't make us pinky-swear, so it doesn't count! Should have made us pinky-swear, nobody can break that."

[HartfordWhalers]

Okay, here is some meat if true:

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[K_chile22]

Rough transcription I just wrote up of Watkins on SportsTalk 790 in Houston

I think from what I’ve been told when Donatas first signed this offer sheet on Friday there was another team involved, but they decided to sign with the Nets, then the Rockets matched it yesterday. But now this second team apparently has a larger offer. So what BJ is thinking, from what I’ve been told, is if the Rockets pull their offer, he cannot sign with the Nets for another year, but this other team, they can come into play and present an offer sheet to Donatas that would be more money, and he would go to that team.

and here is the link if anyone wants to listen to the whole interview: http://sports790.iheart.com/onair/the-bottom-line-w-jones-clanton-57128/motiejunas-a-noshow-for-physical-weighing-15365682/

[HartfordWhalers]

If true, then I fully get Motie refusing to come in and trying to raise a stink for the missing 4m in likley incentives and 2m in unlikley incentives.

This would be a weird wrinkle.

Per the cbafaq.com (I'm not looking at the actual cba yet but will in a few):

The principal terms of an offer sheet consist of the following. Any other terms of an offer are not considered to be principal terms, and the player's original team is not required to match:

The number of years, including option years.
The base salary
The amount of any signing bonus or deferred compensation, including the payment schedule
Certain bonuses -- those considered to be "likely" for both teams (see question number 74), and those based on generally recognized league honors
Any allowable amendments such as guarantees, options and trade bonuses

So, if true that means any unlikley incentives can always be ignored. That is kinda ****. It isn't really a match if you lose a bunch of unlikley incentives, that is a downgrade for the player for sure.

As for ones that must have flipped from likely to unlikely if the team switches, well that is already a downgrade. To then have those stripped out because they got downgraded would definitely suck.

I'm totally okay with Motie raising a stink over that. He won't get anywhere, but raise one anyway for a week.

Now the question becomes, what is wrong with Marks? He had what 5 months to make an offer? And then he makes one where Houston can match so cheaply? Everyone said he was a great GM candidate but I'm feeling even more unimpressed if all this is true. It just feels really amateurish.

[loserX]

Now the question becomes, what is wrong with Marks? He had what 5 months to make an offer?

I don't have a problem with this part. Brooklyn is bad and he has no need to rush. Motie's health problems were severe enough to void one trade already, might as well wait and be sure.

And by waiting, Houston crossed the "can't trade him this year" threshold. That turned out not to be a dealbreaker, but still it could have been extra reason to say no, which helps Marks' odds.

I'm not sure Marks played it perfectly but the timing isn't an issue for me at all.

[jbk1234]

Rough transcription I just wrote up of Watkins on SportsTalk 790 in Houston

I think from what I’ve been told when Donatas first signed this offer sheet on Friday there was another team involved, but they decided to sign with the Nets, then the Rockets matched it yesterday. But now this second team apparently has a larger offer. So what BJ is thinking, from what I’ve been told, is if the Rockets pull their offer, he cannot sign with the Nets for another year, but this other team, they can come into play and present an offer sheet to Donatas that would be more money, and he would go to that team.

and here is the link if anyone wants to listen to the whole interview: http://sports790.iheart.com/onair/the-bottom-line-w-jones-clanton-57128/motiejunas-a-noshow-for-physical-weighing-15365682/

At some point, you're better off letting the player walk. Danotas is a good back up but this is too much drama to keep around until you can trade him this summer.

[K_chile22]

If true, then I fully get Motie refusing to come in and trying to raise a stink for the missing 4m in likley incentives and 2m in unlikley incentives.

This would be a weird wrinkle.

Per the cbafaq.com (I'm not looking at the actual cba yet but will in a few):

The principal terms of an offer sheet consist of the following. Any other terms of an offer are not considered to be principal terms, and the player's original team is not required to match:

The number of years, including option years.
The base salary
The amount of any signing bonus or deferred compensation, including the payment schedule
Certain bonuses -- those considered to be "likely" for both teams (see question number 74), and those based on generally recognized league honors
Any allowable amendments such as guarantees, options and trade bonuses

So, if true that means any unlikley incentives can always be ignored. That is kinda ****. It isn't really a match if you lose a bunch of unlikley incentives, that is a downgrade for the player for sure.

As for ones that must have flipped from likely to unlikely if the team switches, well that is already a downgrade. To then have those stripped out because they got downgraded would definitely suck.

I'm totally okay with Motie raising a stink over that. He won't get anywhere, but raise one anyway for a week.

Now the question becomes, what is wrong with Marks? He had what 5 months to make an offer? And then he makes one where Houston can match so cheaply? Everyone said he was a great GM candidate but I'm feeling even more unimpressed if all this is true. It just feels really amateurish.

Isn't this a structural thing BJ should've known about and looked out for when agreeing to the deal? If Marks really wanted to steal him that did make it easier for the Rockets to match so it does look pretty bad for him but not near how bad it looks for BJ imo

[HartfordWhalers]

Now the question becomes, what is wrong with Marks? He had what 5 months to make an offer?

I don't have a problem with this part. Brooklyn is bad and he has no need to rush. Motie's health problems were severe enough to void one trade already, might as well wait and be sure.

And by waiting, Houston crossed the "can't trade him this year" threshold. That turned out not to be a dealbreaker, but still it could have been extra reason to say no, which helps Marks' odds.

I'm not sure Marks played it perfectly but the timing isn't an issue for me at all.

I don't mind the timing at all. However, having taken that much time to then make an offer where Houston can drop 4m in likely incentives to 0 is unacceptable. This shouldn't have been a rushed deal. This shouldn't have been a deal where Morey could outsmart Marks and sign Motie cheaper than Marks did. Marks had full control on all that, and acted like a mark (pun intended, because it is Tuesday).

[Texas Chuck]

Rough transcription I just wrote up of Watkins on SportsTalk 790 in Houston

I think from what I’ve been told when Donatas first signed this offer sheet on Friday there was another team involved, but they decided to sign with the Nets, then the Rockets matched it yesterday. But now this second team apparently has a larger offer. So what BJ is thinking, from what I’ve been told, is if the Rockets pull their offer, he cannot sign with the Nets for another year, but this other team, they can come into play and present an offer sheet to Donatas that would be more money, and he would go to that team.

and here is the link if anyone wants to listen to the whole interview: http://sports790.iheart.com/onair/the-bottom-line-w-jones-clanton-57128/motiejunas-a-noshow-for-physical-weighing-15365682/

At some point, you're better off letting the player walk. Danotas is a good back up but this is too much drama to keep around until you can trade him this summer.

They can't trade him this summer either (without his agreeing to the deal).

[HartfordWhalers]

Isn't this a structural thing BJ should've known about and looked out for when agreeing to the deal? If Marks really wanted to steal him that did make it easier for the Rockets to match so it does look pretty bad for him but not near how bad it looks for BJ imo

Good call. BJ deserves the hate stick too here. He goofed big time. Fair or not (My guess is unfair), I feel like I implicitly hold GM's to a higher standard for knowing the CBA ins and outs. But it was BJ's job and he (likley) cost Motie 4m, where as Marks just lost a potential asset with health questions.

I will say one thing, this saga has delivered at a time that is normally a brief lull in official activity.

[Andre Roberstan]

https://t.co/YQ8vUvwbAB

More details from Calvin Watkins.

[K_chile22]

https://t.co/YQ8vUvwbAB

More details from Calvin Watkins.

So because BJ didn't know he would lose that money if the Rockets match here we are.

I would prefer if the Rockets and Dmo figure out their own deal separate form the Nets one (as discussed in the article) with similar money to the one they matched because then Dmo doesn't have the trade veto

[loserX]

https://t.co/YQ8vUvwbAB

More details from Calvin Watkins.

There is some stuff in there I don't understand.

Armstrong is also open to receiving an offer sheet from another team.

Okay surely that can't happen, right? The Rockets matched him. I'll have to assume they meant "if the Rockets withdraw their agreement and make him RFA again". Or I'll have to assume "Armstrong doesn't know how any of this works".

Rockets officials are willing to work a separate deal with Motiejunas, something his agent is willing to talk about, in the $31 million range.

I don't get this either. It would seem odd to say "we match this offer for a contract, now we change our mind and offer a different deal instead". Surely there must be rules governing this kind of thing to avoid CBA violations?

[K_chile22]

https://t.co/YQ8vUvwbAB

More details from Calvin Watkins.

There is some stuff in there I don't understand.

Armstrong is also open to receiving an offer sheet from another team.

Okay surely that can't happen, right? The Rockets matched him. I'll have to assume they meant "if the Rockets withdraw their agreement and make him RFA again". Or I'll have to assume "Armstrong doesn't know how any of this works".

Rockets officials are willing to work a separate deal with Motiejunas, something his agent is willing to talk about, in the $31 million range.

I don't get this either. It would seem odd to say "we match this offer for a contract, now we change our mind and offer a different deal instead". Surely there must be rules governing this kind of thing to avoid CBA violations?

I believe they both were meant to be if the Rockets returned him to restricted free agency. It would help the Rockets to give him a similar deal to the one matched if he wants that for some reason because then they can trade him in the off season. Don't know why he would want a different deal in the same price range though

[loserX]

I believe they both were meant to be if the Rockets returned him to restricted free agency. It would help the Rockets to give him a similar deal to the one matched if he wants that for some reason because then they can trade him in the off season. Don't know why he would want a different deal in the same price range though

I assumed as much, but this part still feels odd to me. The point of making a team match an offer sheet is to bind them to the same terms offered by the other team.

It's a weird system that allows for "yeah we'll do that, o wait never mind, how about something else?" It seems like a cheap way to just keep invalidating other team's offer sheets.

[Andre Roberstan]

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[Andre Roberstan]

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this is the song that never ends

it just goes on and on and on