Why to avoid long-term deals to mid-level players

[Dunkenstein]

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/art ... cleid=1187

"The moral of the story is this: go all-in with your superstars, but when filling the rest of your roster, stick to the low-budget model of building through the draft and signing useful low-priced FA’s. And whatever you do, don't give long-term deals to middling players, because you will get burned."

[Three34]

How often does a full five year MLE deal work out well? All I can think of is Joel Przybilla, and even hsi was an Early Bird rights affair.

[lakerfan10770]

How often does a full five year MLE deal work out well? All I can think of is Joel Przybilla, and even hsi was an Early Bird rights affair.

I think that for now, Ron Artest was an OK MLE signing, we'll see how it plays out though.

For the most part I completely agree, guys that get full 5yr MLE deals are almost always considered bad deals within a year or two. I think these guys were all MLE deals:

Vlad Radmonovic
Nazr Mohammed
DeSagana Diop
Jason Kapono
James Posey
Beno Udrih
Reggie Evans
Marcus Banks
Jarred Jeffries

[Three34]

Udrih's been an OK signing. Artest has been decent through 1 year. For the most part, though, they're just not successful moves.

[mikhailjordan]

So is the moral of the story to not give the Travis Outlaws of the world 5 year $35 million dollar deals?

[Scoot McGroot]

Udrih's been an OK signing. Artest has been decent through 1 year. For the most part, though, they're just not successful moves.

That's always been Artest. Years 1 and most of 2 in any new city is great. 2/3 of the way through year 2 has been wear the luster wears off and his insanity starts to show through.

[babygils]

So is the moral of the story to not give the Travis Outlaws of the world 5 year $35 million dollar deals?

and don't give charlie v 35 million either...