DWCP2 wrote:As I recall in the CBA FAQ, there is little to be gained for Ford in the option year. If he wants to play he has to sacrifice the 8.5 million he'd play under and move on. Think in some buyouts in the past, the player got little to no money in the option year.
I'd say if he's willing to forgo the option year, the Pacers should be willing to waive him and allow him to collect the remaining salary he's guaranteed. Let him sign a one year deal with a contender, and see if he can't get the MLE or near it this summer.
Hmm?
As of right now, that option year is essentially treated as guaranteed money, and that's certainly a LOT to gain for TJ. Do you honestly think he could sign an MLE deal this offseason? Really? For 3 years? Could he even get an Earl Watson type 1 year deal (roughly $3 million) after his past two seasons of production here? If he could SQUEAK that out, it would only take
almost 3 seasons to make up what he would give up next year in a buyout.
TJ's not going to give up much of anything. Maybe $2-3 million next year, if he's supremely confident of signing elsewhere for close to that much and wants a better situation. At that point, I'm not sure it's worthwhile. Might as well give him another training camp under a new coach to see if he can regain some value. If not, waive him or buy him out then.