panthermark wrote:Future Coach wrote:You all realize that under the current CBA it makes no sense for a player to sign an extension as he can't sign for as many years? The way the CBA works is that the player must become a free agent to sign for a longer, more lucrative, deal. It is the exact same thing Aldridge is doing.
But you all also realize that he won't be traded for at least another 2 weeks right?
We get that....but the difference is that LMA isn't trying to force his way out, nor is he longing to get back to souther Cali....where a certain popular team (Lakers) just so happens to have max cap room.
If wants the most money....stay in Minny.
If he wants out, sign the extension.
LMA has already stated he will opt out and re-sign, strictly for financial reasons. Unless Love publically states that regardless of the season, he WILL re-sign with whatever team he goes to...F him.
Plus LMA is already on the Blazers...they really have no choice in the matter, nor are giving up assets for him.
Few things:
- Has Love publicly expressed this so-called "longing" to get back to S. California? He lives there in the off-season (just like Rose and many other wealthy people do). Doesn't mean he wants to play for the Lakers, especially when the Lakers are arguably further from contending than the T'Wolves are (something I do think he has indirectly said, if I remember correctly).
- Again, financially it makes no sense for him to sign an extension with the T'Wolves or any team he gets traded to. You can blame the CBA (or likely the Players Union) for that. So that is plainly an unrealistic expectation. The only realistic alternative to him being a "free agent" next off-season after being traded, is him opting-in to the final year of his current deal (like Carmelo did before) so he can make even more money on his next contract (again, like Carmelo).
- Lastly, I thought it was common knowledge that the sole reason so few teams (Warriors, Bulls, and now Cavs) are involved in the trade talks is because he or his agent has essentially told other interested teams that he is only interested in re-signing with the previously mentioned teams. As far as I have read, only the Nuggets are still trying to make a deal without assurances he would re-sign, while the three teams most involved have received that assurance.
In any event I think it is a moot point. I don't think the Bulls will present the best offer, and nor do they have to. They signed Gasol partially so they wouldn't have to "sell the farm" on such a move. Yet signing Gasol presents them with enough depth to kick-the-tires (so to speak) on such a deal. But the Bulls are contenders with or without Love, something the Cavs can't claim, thus the Cavs will make a better offer out of desperation.
