Could a contract like this ever happen?

[Hemingway]

The whole Rondo situation got me thinking.I personally think he is worth close to a max deal, given his unique skill set. The problem is yo never know if the motivation will still be there once a player is filthy rich. So I was wondering, is there any president for giving someone a contract where you pay them really good money with team options every year? Lets say for Rondo he is looking at 9mil a year for 6 years, what about 11 mil for this year and then a raise on that if he lives up to it. I realize this is kind of out there and would probably cause problems ie what if he get hurt at some point or for what ever reason we don't take the team option and then he feels slighted and goes somewhere else. But CAN a contract like that be done and has it been done anywhere?

[SonicYouth34]

No, a contract like that can't be done. The closest thing is a rookie contract with team options for the last two years.

[hairybyrd]

Theoretically. this could happen. However, an NBA players strike or an owner's lockout would probably have to occur beforehand because, from the players' perspective, it's not making things any easier. The Collective Bargaining Agreement is structured to help players esp. in the case of injury. I like the idea of making player contracts more incentive-based but it's somewhat unrealistic that this ever happens. It seems like the CBA has been gaining power every sixth year.

[Hemingway]

Well back in reality, I think we should lock Rondo up long term. I also think we should do it sooner than later as I truly believe he is only going to get better. Maybe a contract with a lot of incentives would be good but its hard to tell with those, I mean do we want him jacking up shots because there is a pay raise at 15 a game? Or fouling out going for 3 steals a game? And assists are out of his control to the degree he has competent teammates.

[hairybyrd]

I think Rondo is only a max. player if he proves to have a reliable jump shot. We've been hearing good things from camp but until that translates over to his nightly game performance he's probably looking at a 5-6 year contract in the $50-60 mil range. By next summer, though, I think Ainge will regret not extending his contract earlier.

I think his jump shot will improve and he will have a great year and command a near max. contract in 2010. Either way you look at it it's a win-lose. Rondo's improvement is what really matters.

Rondo stays the same = lower contract (10-11/year)
He gets better = higher contract (12-max.)

[SonicYouth34]

He's not a max player yet. I'd love to lock him up now at like 5/$50 million, but he'll probably get more next summer.

[Three34]

You can only have one TO in a contract,, and it has to be in the last year. Rookie scale contracts are the sole exception.

[theman]

I believe that is exactly how Tim Wakefield's contract is structured but that is a different sport.

[DorfonCeltics]

I believe that is exactly how Tim Wakefield's contract is structured but that is a different sport.

Wake's deal is actually a mutual Team/Player option every year at $4mil per year.