Originally Posted by
SoCalDukeFan
Do you know the number one commodity that was being discussed in rumors before the NBA trade deadline a few weeks ago? Raef La Frentz. The Trailblazers were offered more for Raef LaFrentz than the Suns were for Amare Stoudamire - and Raef will not play a single game this year, or ever again. The Nets offered Vince Carter and two first round draft picks for Raef, and Portland turned them down.
80% of Raef's $12 million salary is covered by insurance this year since he will miss at least 41 games, and his contract expires after this season. All NBA teams covet expiring contracts, but the fact that his current salary is covered by insurance makes him a "super expiring contract". So he is more desirable than Amare Stoudamire - even for a team that is owned by Paul Allen.
The guaranteed contracts were written up when owners thought they were going to see increased profits - or at least the status quo. But NBA revenue is way down and the owners are making moves based on saving money rather than winning games. Phoenix offered Shaq for free at the deadline but no one wanted to add his salary. Same thing with Tyson Chandler - a 7'1" 26-year old who almost averages a double double - he was available for any team that wanted to take on his salary and no one was interested.
Look for a possible lock out in 2011.
SoCal
All of this is covered in The Sports Guy latest column on the NBA. It is sobering indeed.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...simmons/090227
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I STILL GOT IT! -- Ryan Kelly, March 2, 2013