Although its true that there are no restrictions on contract length, size, etc for 2nd round picks, the Knicks would have to be downright stupid to sign the guy for one year. Nor would an agent expect to get his rookie signed for only a year. It just doesn't happen. If the Knicks refused to sign him to a contract, they would still own his rights for three years (I think) unless they release him for some reason.

The far more likely scenario? The Knicks will sign him to a three year contract using their mid-level exception, offering him the full 12.5% raise possible each year. Since Milos is really wavering on coming to the NBA, they may need to offer him close to the full 4.5 to convince him, since he could potentially make twice that in Europe.

Really, losing the mid-level is not a big deal. As Knicksfan 1971 says, better that then signing another redundant veteran.

Posted by martin:

not sure of the terms that could be made for a second rounder, but there is no way the Knicks would just sign him for 1 year. In the Chard Ford article it mentioned that he really would like to play in NY. If it takes buying out Ward's contract for the 2 mil, they will. And the Knicks will certainly promise a starting job with lots of minutes to sign the guy, especially if the hype pans out.

Honestly... I don't believe the hype. Being an NBA point is hard and takes YEARS to adjust to - just my opinion. Frank Williams is having a hard time, and only Ward and Eisley are in his way. Williams was the 2nd best point in the draft. Look at all the highly ranked college points that NEVER make it in the NBA. I'm sure that PG is the hardest skill position to fill, and Center the hardest to find people for - size-wise (widebody, height), talentwise (back to the basket).

Posted by BigSm00th:

"Honestly... I don't believe the hype. Being an NBA point is hard and takes YEARS to adjust to - just my opinion. Frank Williams is having a hard time, and only Ward and Eisley are in his way. Williams was the 2nd best point in the draft. Look at all the highly ranked college points that NEVER make it in the NBA. I'm sure that PG is the hardest skill position to fill, and Center the hardest to find people for - size-wise (widebody, height), talentwise (back to the basket)."-Williams played a lot of shooting guard at Illinois, and I didn't really think he was THAT good coming out of college, I really didn't think it was a solid PG class. Look at Tony Parker, the only foreigner I can think of who plays in the NBA at PG and he adjusted immediately. Vujanic has been playing pro since he was 15, so I think he could come in and average 10 points and 6 assists easily.

truth

Actually, it would be idiotic for the Knicks to only sign him for one year.

What if we sign him for one year, he does great, but then we have a Gilbert Arenas type situation where we don't have his bird rights and can't resign him.

We'd have to use part of the exception and give him a 3 year year deal to get his bird rights with like 1 to 1.2 Million per year.

Also the problem coming over here isn't money, it's Playing Time. In the ESPN Insider Interview he said he doesn't want to come to the NBA only to rot on the bench.

[Edited by - Nykfan37 on 12/22/2002 20:24:05]