what kind of contract will Jamison get?

[Hail2theRedskin]

AJ is too smart to end up in a Hughes situation. Take all that money and be unhappy, not gonna happen. I'm thinking he is going to stick around.

lol who said hughes was unhappy...At 14 million a year and on a winning team i'de be pretty happy

[Donkey McDonkerton]

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lol who said hughes was unhappy...At 14 million a year and on a winning team i'de be pretty happy

Hughes has told Arenas that, and Arenas said it in his blog.

Do I know it its 100% true? No, but why would he put words in larry's mouth.

[GetInMyBelly]

i think 4/40 if we're lucky.

i'm sure his agent will push for a 5th year. i think it would be a bad idea to give him it. i actually think 4 years is too long. AJ has 2 more years before he becomes robert horry.

[Donkey McDonkerton]

New article in the post about Caron and Jamison being all stars...LINK

Wizards Notes: Jamison was thrilled yesterday to learn about his all-star selection. But his agent, Arn Tellem, should be nearly as happy because Jamison is in the final season of the six-year, $79.3 million contract he signed with Golden State in 2001 and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Jamison is in his 10th season and will turn 32 in June. Along with Arenas, who plans to opt out of the final season of his contract, Jamison will be among the most attractive free agents on the market, but he made it clear yesterday that he is comfortable in Washington.

"I'm a firm believer that the grass is not always greener on the other side," said Jamison, who is earning $16.3 million this season. "I think we've got something special here. I think we have a great relationship. They want me to come back on their side and I want to do the same thing. At the same time, it is a business and anything can happen between now and when it is time to work something out but this is a the perfect fit for me."

Jamison said that while he and the team discussed a possible extension last season, the sides never came close to an agreement.

[nate33]

Jamison said that while he and the team discussed a possible extension last season, the sides never came close to an agreement.

Very interesting.

It appears that EG extended a relatively low offer and Jamison refused.

I certainly understand Jamison's refusal. There is no need to lock himself into a lowball contract without first exploring options. But the interesting part to me is that EG offered an unacceptably low deal in the first place. EG doesn't appear to be particularly concerned about "insulting" Jamison with a lowball offer.

With that in mind, and given the current situation on the open market, I expect that EG is going to offer a fairly low deal again. I stand by my prediction of 4-years $30-32M. Hopefully, he'll go with a descending contract to keep long term cap flexibility.

[Rafael122]

Nate - I'm 50/50 with you. I don't think Ernie lowballed him or whatever, but I think he probably offered him a market deal, but maybe Jamison's agent wants a little bit more...probably arguing Jamison helped change the culture of this team, vet leader, etc.

Are you comfortable with the idea that EG may know about luxury tax ramifications not just 1 year from now...but 3-4 years from now?

[doclinkin]

Jamison said that while he and the team discussed a possible extension last season, the sides never came close to an agreement.

Very interesting.

It appears that EG extended a relatively low offer and Jamison refused.

No, read further:

"I think the most important thing for them was to get myself and Gilbert at the same time and that makes sense," Jamison said. "If they would have brought something to the table, I would have been ecstatic and if they said: 'Wait until after the season.' I was happy to do that.

Essentially Ernie said: look we want you back, I don't want to leave you in doubt about that all season. But whatever we do we'll have to do in conjunction with re-signing Gilbert. If I gave you a number today it would be [low-end figure] because you know Gil, we have no idea what he's really thinking from one minute to the next. And neither does he. Either way don't worry about it we'll get you both done after the season.

Basically he gave him a safety figure, knowing he'd have to re-sign Gil no matter what other teams offer, but reassuring Jamison he was in the longterm plans. That's not lowball, that's just the reality of all things Gilbert. He means what he says when he says it, but maybe doesn't really know what he's thinking until he opens his mouth and says it.

Realistically, business-wise it adds a little leverage to the Gilbert negotiation. EG can say with all honesty: look Gil we got to be reasonable, we need you back but we all want to get Jamison done too. Maybe keep a guy like Mason too, keep some depth. Let's find a figure that works for everybody. If Jamison's deal isn't done yet, Gilbert needs to leave that cushion or risk being looked at as the greedhead who broke up a good thing. The selfish guy that other teams label him as.

The Jamison market and the Gil market will help EG give a ballpark figure. Otherwise he just has to give the low-end safety figure cause that's the only one he knows he can work with.

[charlie32]

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Realistically, business-wise it adds a little leverage to the Gilbert negotiation. EG can say with all honesty: look Gil we got to be reasonable, we need you back but we all want to get Jamison done too. Maybe keep a guy like Mason too, keep some depth. Let's find a figure that works for everybody. If Jamison's deal isn't done yet, Gilbert needs to leave that cushion or risk being looked at as the greedhead who broke up a good thing. The selfish guy that other teams label him as.

Great analysis Doc. I'm very curious to see if Gilbert will stay true to his word and sign for less if it means being able to keep the likes of Mason and AJ. Lots of guys say they want to win but end up taking the $ that breaks the bank unless they're at the tale end of their careers and latching onto a contender. The only great player I can think of (there could well be others) who took significantly less than he could on the open market in his prime was Kirby Puckett. When he was negotiating his deal the Twins opened their books to him and said: Kirby, here's our situation, and this is the most we can pay you and still field a major league team around you. Puckett accepted the offer, won a World Series and became a legend in the Twin Cities. I think and hope Gil will do the same.

[nate33]

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Essentially Ernie said: look we want you back, I don't want to leave you in doubt about that all season. But whatever we do we'll have to do in conjunction with re-signing Gilbert. If I gave you a number today it would be [low-end figure] because you know Gil, we have no idea what he's really thinking from one minute to the next. And neither does he. Either way don't worry about it we'll get you both done after the season.

Basically he gave him a safety figure, knowing he'd have to re-sign Gil no matter what other teams offer, but reassuring Jamison he was in the longterm plans. That's not lowball, that's just the reality of all things Gilbert. He means what he says when he says it, but maybe doesn't really know what he's thinking until he opens his mouth and says it.

Realistically, business-wise it adds a little leverage to the Gilbert negotiation. EG can say with all honesty: look Gil we got to be reasonable, we need you back but we all want to get Jamison done too. Maybe keep a guy like Mason too, keep some depth. Let's find a figure that works for everybody. If Jamison's deal isn't done yet, Gilbert needs to leave that cushion or risk being looked at as the greedhead who broke up a good thing. The selfish guy that other teams label him as.

The Jamison market and the Gil market will help EG give a ballpark figure. Otherwise he just has to give the low-end safety figure cause that's the only one he knows he can work with.

Good analysis doc.

I don't disagree with any of this and I don't really think it conflicts with my post. When I said "lowball offer", I just meant an offer much lower than what Jamison is making now and more in line with what I think the free market will bear - i.e. $8M per year.

I still think it's significant that EG isn't being held hostage by Jamison's demands. A lesser GM would simply capitulate and extend a 7 figure offer. EG is paying close attention to our long-term salary projections.

[TheKingOfVa360]

Doesn't anyone think Jamison making the all-star game again might drive up his value?

If Jamison wants too much money (over 10 million) I wouldn't be mad if we let him walk or did a sign and trade. Blatche and Pecherov can split his minutes.

[nate33]

Jamison's value is Jamison's free market value.

Philly is the only team with cap room (plus perhaps Atlanta if they let Childress walk) and they don't want a 32-year old forward. Unless some big moves are made at the trade deadline, there simply won't be any suitors for Jamison.

$8M per year is sufficienty higher than the MLE that I don't think Jamison turns it down.

[ZonkertheBrainless]

Well, put it this way... If EG wants to give the max or close to it to Gil, he can't offer anything more than about $8 mil per year, if he offers more he's an idiot. Hopefully no one will be in a position to offer more.

[sashae]

Something to marinate on: Memphis now just became the big cap-room player this offseason. Now, Jamison probably doesn't want to play for a crap team, but there's a lot of money down in TN now with Kwame and Stoudamire off the books for the Griz, and an attractive Miller/Gay combo to play with.

Gah.

[nate33]

After this deal, Memphis should have a payroll of about $48-49M next summer after accounting for their lotto pick and LA's pick. The cap looks like it'll be about $58M. That gives them about $10M in cap space.

They'll have enough to go after Jamison if they wish, but not enough for Gilbert. Much like Philly, Memphis is clearly in rebuilding mode. I'm not so sure they'd be all that interested in a 32-year old forward. I'm also doubt Jamison would want to play there.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Jamison is 6th in double-double and making 16mill, you know he has a market. I read some of the other threads suggesting a low dollar amount. No way Jamison signs for MLE or anything less than 12mill.

Yea if he want to win a ring, sure he can take less.

Gils MAX contract is going to make adding good players difficult.

Gil wants security and the max years/money and I can't blame him, but the fact is he's escalating the amount of salary the Wizards are committed against the cap; and he's doing it while injured.

Homer fans and naive folks think Jamison will take less than market value to stay and I think Hughes can wan a chip with Cleveland and forget about his suffering ... WHILE ON HIS WAY TO THE BANK!

Big picture: the money can affect lives. Maybe he'd give every cent of it away to suffering people in the world or maybe he'd buy the world's best SpongeBob SquarePants memorabilia collection but my guess is Antawn gets at least 12 MIL.

Wizards fans who want him to stay for peanuts are tripping.

nate might have a great idea of who can afford to pay what, but if Charlotte can pay the man they will just to take him from the Wizards!

[keynote]

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The only great player I can think of (there could well be others) who took significantly less than he could on the open market in his prime was Kirby Puckett. When he was negotiating his deal the Twins opened their books to him and said: Kirby, here's our situation, and this is the most we can pay you and still field a major league team around you. Puckett accepted the offer, won a World Series and became a legend in the Twin Cities. I think and hope Gil will do the same.

I'm fairly certain that Stockton also signed a slightly below market salary to maintain continuity in Utah. And who can forget our own Brendan Todd?

But you're right to note that the list of players who think team first when it comes to contract money is very short in team sports that feature guaranteed contracts. Of course, in football, deal restructuring happens all the time.

[nate33]

nate might have a great idea of who can afford to pay what, but if Charlotte can pay the man they will just to take him from the Wizards!

Charlotte can't pay the man. They won't have cap room unless they renounce Okafor.

[GhostOfKwame]

Well, put it this way... If EG wants to give the max or close to it to Gil, he can't offer anything more than about $8 mil per year, if he offers more he's an idiot.

How does it make him an idiot? If you mean because the owner wants to MAKE money more than he wants to win, than you're right, but that makes the owner a big ol azz. Seriously I've got a big problem with this. Dumb question, but after everything is said and done, does Abe make money off the team? Also, is he in it for the money or to win? If to make money he needs to sell the team already.

Not signing a player, not because of cap reasons, but because you don't wanna make any less money than you already are... is WRONG. I don't care how much charity abe does, is this team here to generate donations or to WIN GAMES. IMO hurting you're win loss total to make a few more $$$ would mean STOP FOLLOWING THE TEAM! If when its all said and done Abe is making more than 4 million on the team while at the lux tax...

The reality is the team should be able to not only re-sign both Arenas(max) and Jamison(9mill), they should ALSO use all 6 million of the MLE to improve the team as well! Honestly, theres no excuse not to... the seats have been filled and theres plenty of interest in the team. This falls on Abe, does he want a title(meaning is he a true fan) or does he just want quality respectable team? OWNERS SHOULD FIRST BE FANS, NOT IN THIS TO MAKE MONEY. If any are in it to #1 profit, sell. It's flat out wrong. I don't wanna sound like a 5 year old but its true. How could anyone of you accept losing a talent over the owner being unwilling to pay an extra 1-4 million?

My stomach is starting to turn, over this whole lux tax nonsense. We're not talking about 15-50 million over here folks! Pennies compared to that. Remember, lux tax does not prevent you from signing anyone, it's the cap, we'd have to gut the team to have any actuall "caproom". Wakeup, lets not accept it.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

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Charlotte can't pay the man. They won't have cap room unless they renounce Okafor.

Just to play devil's advocate let's say Charlotte's worried about Okafor's back, his inconsistency, his 55% FT shooting, and they're not thrilled to see Dwight Howard turn out to be that much better.

Let's say they draft a true C like Hibbert and just move Nazr Mohammed to backup PF and backup C. Then the Bobcats sign a veteran leader and 2-time all star to a max deal.

How much worse off would the Bobcats be sans Okafor?

[nate33]

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Just to play devil's advocate let's say Charlotte's worried about Okafor's back, his inconsistency, his 55% FT shooting, and they're not thrilled to see Dwight Howard turn out to be that much better.

Let's say they draft a true C like Hibbert and just move Nazr Mohammed to backup PF and backup C. Then the Bobcats sign a veteran leader and 2-time all star to a max deal.

How much worse off would the Bobcats be sans Okafor?

Even if Charlotte releases Okafor, they'll still only have $10M in cap space after accounting for a high enough draft pick to get Hibbert.

If you are Antawn Jamison, would you rather play for $10M in Charlotte on a team with a rookie center a mediocre PG, and a record of south of .400? Or would you rather play for $8M in a system that fits your skills on a team with two other all stars and a legit shot at a title (or at least a trip to the Finals).

And if you are Charlotte, to you spend $10M on a 32-year-old vet when you are clearly not ready for a title since you plan to start a rookie at center.