Non-Update on B. Roy and LA's Contract Negotiations

by Ben Golliver on Jul 30, 2009 4:09 PM PDT in News

The Blazers are getting some run today over at ESPN. First, a curious Lamar Odom story and now this; unfortunately, the following is more non-news than real news but at least it confirms the sky isn't falling for Portland's two franchise players.

Marc Stein writes...

Much tougher to understand is the ongoing stalemate between the Blazers and Roy on an extension, which developed because Portland initially offered a four-year deal as opposed to the maximum five years Roy understandably thinks he deserves.

Two weeks since the impasse went public, we're still waiting for the next tangible development. Roy's agent Bob Myers, though, remains optimistic, telling ESPN.com: "We're continuing discussions daily and are hoping for a resolution at some point."

...

Aldridge was similarly optimistic when we spoke about the negotiations toward his own contract extension this summer, indicating that he believes his deal will get done in spite of the slow start to talks for both he and Roy.

I'm still not worried.

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)

Tweet Comment 60 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Not an issue, it will get done. There is no way KP lets Aldridge or Roy be unhappy with their contracts.

I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden

by mxpx5678 on Jul 30, 2009 4:12 PM PDT reply actions

What about this?

This should help us win a championship. No doubt!

http://www.sbnation.com/account/confirm/7JPNdCra

Shwami

by Shwami on Jul 31, 2009 5:08 AM PDT up reply actions

What about this?

Wrong link.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=l8lnyb

by Shwami on Jul 31, 2009 5:09 AM PDT up reply actions

not worried

but I’d like to see this done sooner rather than later. End of August at the latest I say.

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Jul 30, 2009 4:17 PM PDT reply actions

I concur.

Not worried.

If the agent was pissed, then I would begin to have a problem.

*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.

by staylost on Jul 30, 2009 4:18 PM PDT reply actions

I wonder what we could get for Roy and Aldridge in trade.

by MiledAnimal on Jul 30, 2009 4:28 PM PDT reply actions

You should not think of such things

by GMan83201 on Jul 30, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I'll bet we could trade Brandon for Foye

And LaMarcus for Tyrus Thomas.

OMG! If KP could do this, he’d be the biggest genius EVER!

Rex is a starter by the 2010 trade deadline. Watch.

by dan_the_man on Jul 30, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions

yeah it wont be a problem look how fast they resolved the comcast contract dispute

oh uh Nevermind… ha but seriously its fine

by HurricaneDayne on Jul 30, 2009 4:31 PM PDT reply actions

medium worried.

sure, i still think it will get done.

name me one – ONE – legit reason management could POSSIBLY have for not offering B Roy 5 years straight up.

I can understand offering LA 4 years and less than the max.

to do anything less than that for brandon is just insulting imho…

by pdxrob on Jul 30, 2009 4:31 PM PDT reply actions

I think Roy will end up getting 5/max

The thing is, if we give Roy a cupcake little 5 year max contract with no second thought, then DON’T offer the same to Aldridge (who has the same agent) it makes those negotiations a lot tougher.

If we show reluctance to give Roy the max, it slightly increases our bargaining power when we’re talking to Aldridge.

by Twith on Jul 30, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions

same agency, different agent

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Jul 30, 2009 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions

So you think the two of them wont talk to each other?

by lethaldose on Jul 30, 2009 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions

They have the same agent

http://hoopshype.com/agents/arn_tellem.htm

by ifarr on Jul 30, 2009 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions

his heel

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Jul 30, 2009 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions

i dont know about you guys...

but im a bit concerned as to why its taking blazer management this long, i think over two weeks? for them to sign our FRANCHISE PLAYERS. I mean what could possibly be holding them back? We need answers NOW!

by broyismoney on Jul 30, 2009 4:34 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Clearly you've never been involved in a deal working with lawyers

Lawyers can take a simple standard contract signing and make it takes months instead of days.

I now apologize to offending any lawyers as we know its your job to go over these lengthy contract word for word to sort out the details and get clarifications. It’s all a part of due diligence.

by NWfan on Jul 30, 2009 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions

No...actually we DON'T need answers now.

We just need KP and his team to keep woring on this and by all accounts they are.

"I'm a man, but I can change.....if I have to......I guess." - Red Green

by antediluvian on Jul 31, 2009 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions

I must have missed

the Brandon Roy public announcement about his displeasure with the negotiations. Wasn’t that going to happen 2 weeks ago?

by Storyteller on Jul 30, 2009 4:40 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs

LOL

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben Golliver on Jul 30, 2009 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions

hahaha

by kajuayn on Jul 30, 2009 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions

KP and PA are way too smart to fumble on this one.

I mean, these extensions are such a no-brainer that even Nash and Patterson would have done them.

Now that the Blazers have made their “Big Move” in signing Miller, look for these extensions to get done in the next week or two.

Portland Trail Blazers, Future World Champions 2010-2021.

by Majikj0n on Jul 30, 2009 4:41 PM PDT reply actions

yep

I believe that thier focus and attention was on the free agent market. Now that Miller has officially signed, I think all of their attention is now on Brandon and his contract.

"The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way." - Dale Carnegie --- Same goes for the Blazers. Thanks Houston.

by blazerbeliever on Jul 30, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, okay...

…maybe Nash and Patterson would have had to take off their shoes and socks in order to count up the salary figures, but they still would have done the deal.

Portland Trail Blazers, Future World Champions 2010-2021.

by Majikj0n on Jul 30, 2009 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Nash and Patterson

You mean the dynamic duo who brought Portland the Z-bo and Darius Miles extensions?

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 30, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions

lol

I miss Martell. Come back soon!

by mannyfresh1 on Jul 30, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Just agents

boinking with the process via the media

by DimeTime on Jul 30, 2009 5:22 PM PDT reply actions

Roy was looking for a 5 year deal with a 3rd year opt out. The blazers offered him 4 years straight up. That’s where the problem with the contract is. Roy will be a lifer here in Portland but Aldridge could be legitimate trade bait in 3 or 4 years if not sooner. Trading Roy would be ridiculous and absurd

by elkaholic84 on Jul 30, 2009 5:25 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

Opt outs can only be for the last year

Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.

by pualo on Jul 30, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions

ETO contracts can be 2 years before contract's end

if Roy signed a 5-year extension, that would make his remaining deal 6 years total. An ETO could be put in after year 4 of the total deal (year 3 of the extension).

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Jul 30, 2009 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Are you sure the contract counts as six years for this purpose?

Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.

by pualo on Jul 30, 2009 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions

One more thing, lol. Don’t be surprised if CP3 gets traded in the next year. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. New Orleans is hurting for money, he could be available sooner than you think

by elkaholic84 on Jul 30, 2009 5:31 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

What is sooner than never?

by tominhawaii on Jul 30, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions

We could probably sign him when he's 38.

If we’re willing to give a max contract.

Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.

by pualo on Jul 30, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions

One of my all-time favorite cartoons:

by MiledAnimal on Jul 30, 2009 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions

LMAO

by kaisersoze on Jul 31, 2009 12:36 AM PDT up reply actions

They will never trade him

It’s roughly equivalent to franchise-suicide. Everyone on that roster is disposable before he is.

Also, the Okafor trade put them underneath the tax line for this year, so they’re not in any desperate need to move money at the moment.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Jul 30, 2009 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions

speaking of franchise suicide

I hear (from ESPN) the Grizzlies are for sale if the right offer comes along.

by NWfan on Jul 30, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions

I've got a box of crackers....

Wait, let’s not get crazy. I should eat a couple of these first. They aren’t worth a WHOLE box…

"No disrespect to Jeff Blake"

by Eat Politicians on Jul 30, 2009 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't believe that's true

The tax threshold is $69.9 million. After trading for Okafor and signing Diogu, I show them to be at $76.9 million. Once they sign Collison, they’ll be well over $77 million.

Oh, but the part about everyone being disposable before he is? Yeah, I believe that’s true…..

by Storyteller on Jul 30, 2009 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Ah, my bad

Misread the story; Hollinger noted NO could get under the tax if they bribed someone to take Daniels’ contract.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Jul 30, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions

One more thing, lol. Don’t be surprised if CP3 gets traded in the next year. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 31, 2009 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions

that fanclub seems full of fine reasonable people

Truth never was or can be propagated by fire and sword - Albert Gallatin

by Zaron5551 on Jul 31, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions

It should not take this long

for the Blazers to say “yes” to Brandon Roy.

But of course, this makes me a panic-riddled chicken little for making this simple observation, so…

by sagcat on Jul 30, 2009 6:00 PM PDT reply actions

Roy deserves a max contract

LaMarcus hasn’t earned a max contract but you know he will ask for one. If they give Roy everything without any fight it will make it more difficult for them to negotiate with Lamarcus. This little spectacle is all for show and i approve.

by Tulo2low on Jul 30, 2009 6:33 PM PDT reply actions

Let's create drama and sell newspapers/web advertising! Please help me sell newspapers/web advertising!

P.S. The sky is falling!

P.P.S. Funny how ESPN had to amend their story when their attempt to create some drama fell short.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Jul 30, 2009 7:01 PM PDT reply actions

BREAKING NEWS!

Blazers attempted to get Z-bo back!

Miles is coming back out of retirement if he can remember where he parked his car!

Shaq has been traded to Houston for one day!

AI is starting his own team and he will play every position!

Please someone buy a subscription to ESPN?! PLease?

"No disrespect to Jeff Blake"

by Eat Politicians on Jul 30, 2009 7:11 PM PDT reply actions

It's time to start discussing

What do we do at the trade deadline with BREC & LAEC?

by 2005TelfairJerseyForSale on Jul 30, 2009 8:01 PM PDT reply actions

I vote for Eric Snow.

I think Eric Snow is always my fall back guy. You can never have too much Snow. Never.

μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.

Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by T Darkstar on Jul 30, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions

you clearly were not in Portland last winter

"No disrespect to Jeff Blake"

by Eat Politicians on Jul 30, 2009 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Nope, I was in Wisconsin.

Right off the lake. Average snowfall here is 74 inches per year. Drove to work every morning, without chains.

Portland just has no idea how to take care of it. Wisconsin can take care of it in its sleep.

μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.

Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by T Darkstar on Jul 30, 2009 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions

good for wisconsin

I’ll take portland thanks…

"No disrespect to Jeff Blake"

by Eat Politicians on Jul 30, 2009 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Roy has to be signed

I can’t imagine that they would screw this up. If they think can get him for fewer years I am for trying. His knees scare me.

Life's short, Stunt it!!

by Irwin Fletcher on Jul 30, 2009 8:46 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

"We're continuing discussions daily and are hoping for a resolution at some point."

“Hi. You guys ready to give in yet?”
“No. How about you?”
“No. Call you tomorrow.”

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 30, 2009 9:26 PM PDT reply actions

The real reason?

I was really intrigued by the theory regarding the contract delay that elkaholic84 presented:

Roy was looking for a 5 year deal with a 3rd year opt out. The blazers offered him 4 years straight up. That’s where the problem with the contract is.

It’s something I never thought about, but it makes sense that Roy would want the ETO when signing such a long-term contract. As a player (and human), it’s nice to feel like you have some control over your career (and life) — even if you don’t ever want to leave the Blazers. He could also use the ETO to spark yet another contract with another raise. Hey, why not.

This theory also reflects well on the Blazers organization. Fans are under the impression that the delay is the Blazers’ reluctance to do 5 years. They won’t comment. But maybe their reluctance wasn’t the length, it was the 3rd-year ETO, and that’s why they offered a 4-year contract — as a possible mid-ground.

If this is true — a big if — I’d feel better about the whole situation. Brandon’s probably doing what I’d do in his position, and the Blazers are responding in ways I approve of. Sometimes that’s all you can do. But if Brandon holds firm, the Blazers will just have to do whatever he wants — he has the superior position in these negotiations.

by scottacoma on Jul 30, 2009 9:43 PM PDT reply actions

I think also the opt out

after 3 years is so he can renegotiate for a bigger contract when the recession is over and the cap increases. Right now the max is lower than what it potentially could be three years from now. The Blazers would love to lock him in for four years opposed to three.

by lethaldose on Jul 30, 2009 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions

We've actually been speculating that the fight was

5-yrs + 3rd year opt out (Roy) vs 4-yrs (Blazers) ever since the first 5-yr vs 4-yr rumors came out. Otherwise, it’s pretty hard to figure out why the Blazers wouldn’t want to tie him up for 5 years. The only issue could be they don’t want to place a 5-year bet on his knees, or they think the next CBA will somehow be more favorable to them after the 4th year than the 5th year (very unlikely that’s the reason since the CBA negotiations haven’t even started yet).

The only leverage the Blazers have would be to threaten to trade him and that doesn’t seem very believable as a threat. (Roy + Miller + Bayless (or Roy + Miller + rookie + cap space) for CP3 works after Dec 15. But would either side do that deal?

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 30, 2009 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions

^^ I actually think this will get resolved with a 5-yr/$Max, no opt out contract.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jul 30, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions

It's not possible to do a five-year contract with any kind of option after the third season.

On the contrary, the Portland Trail Blazers could wait until the following off-season, tender Brandon Roy a one-year qualifying offer worth $5,217,029 to make him a restricted free-agent, and then sign him to a six-year, maximum-level contract that has an early termination option after the fourth season.

As it is, the only contracts that can have an opt-out clause — whether it’s team, player, or early termination — prior to the last season are six-year deals. It, however, is possible to make contracts of any length with fully non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed salaries prior to the final season.

For one example, Eduardo Najera signed a four-year, $12,000,000 contract with the New Jersey Nets last summer in which the final two years on his deal are only partially guaranteed if he’s waived by 6/30/2010. Another player with a similar contract is Greg Buckner, who’ll most likely be waived prior to the start of this upcoming season.

Stupid people have stupid ideas.

by AK1984 on Jul 31, 2009 12:27 AM PDT up reply actions