fatlever wrote:https://youtu.be/V-v40TUdK0g?si=pgRyXz_CX1qAaoPR&t=2077
Here's the commentary on Nick Richards and why it might be wise to trade him now.. plow Talks about what I mentioned in terms of his contract. The most we can extend him for is 140% of his current deal. yes for 5 million for next year. What I'm saying is he's not a long term peace for this franchise. He's not going to be on this roster beyond the end of his contract. He's not sticking around to be mark's back up for 5 million plus a 140 per cent. He's a good value for 5 million. Nick is a decent pack up. I just don't think he's a good fit for this roster long term. So you move him now and you get some picks Or potentially another young player that you want to get a closer look at.The first-year salary in a veteran extension can be worth up to 140% of the salary in the final year of the player’s previous contract or 140% of the NBA’s estimated average salary, whichever is greater. Annual raises are limited to 8% of the first-year extension salary.
Right if we want to EXTEND HIM BEFORE his contract is over, then he can only make 9 million. However, if we wait until after next year when he is a free agent we can sign him for whatever amount he wants. So it is not some lost cause that he can only ever get that much from the Hornets no matter what. I also think this whole conversation has gone overblown into hyperfocusing on Nick Richards, when really, I am mainly invested in the conversation over asset management.
but just for the Nick part because I do care about this about 20/100%. Here is why I think keeping Richards would be smart.
- He is under contract next year at 5 million, incredible value even as a potential 3rd center.
- Teams will still be interested in trading for him next trade deadline too probably still for 2 2nds.
- That would give Charlotte another 12 months to evaluate the health of Mark, evaluate if Moussa is a real player.
- If Mark does get hurt again, has played 13 games. Then we still have 2 healthy centers with Richards and Moussa.
- Do you guys really want to trade Richards and risk having to watch Moussa and Taj Gibson the final 40 games?
- Holding Richards isn't preventing us from drafting a center, signing a center in FA. He is short term and cheap.
- Would you rather not find the new 2nd center before getting rid of our current 2nd center?
Let's say we do get lucky and win the lotto and draft Cooper Flagg #1 and we surprisingly look decent to open next season. To me it would really suck if we are having the same conversation as we always do. Our backup center is terrible and our backup pg is terrible. I prefer the security of knowing Richards is a good backup center next season, we have the box checked and don't have to risk seeing Biyombo, Cody Zeller or Roy Hibbert suck just so we can have 2nd round picks in 2029.
In reality the FA center market for guys willing to take backup mins/money behind Mark Williams we are probably looking at the following names. Alex Len, Deandre Jordan, Mason Plumlee, Christian Wood, Daniel Theis, Mo Bamba, Jaxson Hayes, Luke Kornet, Dwight Powell, Jericho Sims and Paul Reed.
I would rather have Richards then anyone in that group. Especially with the uncertainty that Mark could still be treated with kid gloves with any minor injury and miss 5-10 games for any small injury.
