Why can't we get a deal like this!

MINNEAPOLIS -- Al Jefferson could have waited until next summer to sign a contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In fact, that was what his agent advised him to do, hoping that a big season and his status as a restricted free agent would have brought the 22-year-old power forward the highest contract allowable under league rules.

Jefferson ignored that advice and signed a five-year, $65 million deal just before the deadline on Wednesday night. In the era of "Show me the money!" and "bling bling," Jefferson's reason was stunningly humble.

"I didn't even think I was worth max [money] this year anyway," Jefferson said at a press conference on Thursday. "I would've been a fool to go up there and ask for max, having not really proved myself for that. So the number I got was the number that was my goal from Day 1. And I think it was a win, win situation."

At an average salary of $13 million per season that starts next year, Jefferson certainly won't be starving. But Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said that had Jefferson signed a max deal, he would have been entitled to 25 percent of Minnesota's salary cap.

Depending on where the cap is set in each of the next six years, Jefferson likely would have made more than $15 million per season.

"I can tell you around the league, 85 percent of the people feel they're worth max," McHale said with a chuckle. "Al's in the minority of 15 percent that doesn't believe he deserves max."

Max contracts should only be given to superstars who do it on offense and defense. Jefferson might be one of those players down the road, but not now. 13 mil per sounds about right. Player value should always equal the contract. Thats why Orlando completely ****ed everything up by signing Lewis to that ridiculous contract. Now you get less than great players asking for the max. (Except for Jefferson) Also, this is another reason why Isiah needs to go because you know he will give Chubbs a max deal and grossly overpay David Lee.

Posted by SupremeCommander:

Posted by majorleads:

Max contracts should only be given to superstars who do it on offense and defense. Jefferson might be one of those players down the road, but not now. 13 mil per sounds about right. Player value should always equal the contract. Thats why Orlando completely ****ed everything up by signing Lewis to that ridiculous contract. Now you get less than great players asking for the max. (Except for Jefferson) Also, this is another reason why Isiah needs to go because you know he will give Chubbs a max deal and grossly overpay David Lee.

Rashard isn't worth that contract, for sure. But he is the perfect fit for that team. The only way that move is defensible is if another, better team offered him a good deal and the only way he'd sign with the Magic is with a max deal. Honestly, I don't think there is a better inside-outside combo than Lewis and Howard in the NBA. Huge gamble from the sense that they may never get over the top as a result, but they'll be very good for a long time.

He got like 60 million more than Gerald Wallace, and Wallace is a relentless player on offense and defense. Rashard has one really good skill which is shooting, other than that I can't really see how he's worth more than the contract Jefferson just signed. Also he has a ton of mileage on his legs and was hurt last season.

As for a better inside outside combo, look to the Celtics.

Posted by djsunyc:

on par with what guys like curry, dalembert, nene, and kaman got.

I'd take Al over any of those guys--by a wide margin.

Posted by majorleads:

Max contracts should only be given to superstars who do it on offense and defense. Jefferson might be one of those players down the road, but not now. 13 mil per sounds about right. Player value should always equal the contract. Thats why Orlando completely ****ed everything up by signing Lewis to that ridiculous contract. Now you get less than great players asking for the max. (Except for Jefferson) Also, this is another reason why Isiah needs to go because you know he will give Chubbs a max deal and grossly overpay David Lee.

I hope when Big Al proves he's one of top 10 young players in this league everybody gives Mchale credit for not only trading for him but signing him to such a good deal, but I won't hold my breath on it.

Posted by majorleads:

Posted by SupremeCommander:

Posted by majorleads:

Max contracts should only be given to superstars who do it on offense and defense. Jefferson might be one of those players down the road, but not now. 13 mil per sounds about right. Player value should always equal the contract. Thats why Orlando completely ****ed everything up by signing Lewis to that ridiculous contract. Now you get less than great players asking for the max. (Except for Jefferson) Also, this is another reason why Isiah needs to go because you know he will give Chubbs a max deal and grossly overpay David Lee.

Rashard isn't worth that contract, for sure. But he is the perfect fit for that team. The only way that move is defensible is if another, better team offered him a good deal and the only way he'd sign with the Magic is with a max deal. Honestly, I don't think there is a better inside-outside combo than Lewis and Howard in the NBA. Huge gamble from the sense that they may never get over the top as a result, but they'll be very good for a long time.

He got like 60 million more than Gerald Wallace, and Wallace is a relentless player on offense and defense. Rashard has one really good skill which is shooting, other than that I can't really see how he's worth more than the contract Jefferson just signed. Also he has a ton of mileage on his legs and was hurt last season.

As for a better inside outside combo, look to the Celtics.

I'd prefer KG + Allen to Howard + Lewis, but I believe the latter to be more textbook of what a great inside-outside game is. KG tends to play more outside as the game continues.

Having said all that, Lewis is grossly overpaid. The financing was terrible but the basketball operations plan is justifiable... if that makes sense.

Posted by SupremeCommander:

Posted by majorleads:

Posted by SupremeCommander:

Posted by majorleads:

Max contracts should only be given to superstars who do it on offense and defense. Jefferson might be one of those players down the road, but not now. 13 mil per sounds about right. Player value should always equal the contract. Thats why Orlando completely ****ed everything up by signing Lewis to that ridiculous contract. Now you get less than great players asking for the max. (Except for Jefferson) Also, this is another reason why Isiah needs to go because you know he will give Chubbs a max deal and grossly overpay David Lee.

Rashard isn't worth that contract, for sure. But he is the perfect fit for that team. The only way that move is defensible is if another, better team offered him a good deal and the only way he'd sign with the Magic is with a max deal. Honestly, I don't think there is a better inside-outside combo than Lewis and Howard in the NBA. Huge gamble from the sense that they may never get over the top as a result, but they'll be very good for a long time.

He got like 60 million more than Gerald Wallace, and Wallace is a relentless player on offense and defense. Rashard has one really good skill which is shooting, other than that I can't really see how he's worth more than the contract Jefferson just signed. Also he has a ton of mileage on his legs and was hurt last season.

As for a better inside outside combo, look to the Celtics.

I'd prefer KG + Allen to Howard + Lewis, but I believe the latter to be more textbook of what a great inside-outside game is. KG tends to play more outside as the game continues.

Having said all that, Lewis is grossly overpaid. The financing was terrible but the basketball operations plan is justifiable... if that makes sense.

I understand what you're saying. Basketball wise, he is a good compliment to Howard. However, the Magic are far from a complete team and basically have put all their eggs in the Howard/Lewis basket which pretty much blows out their cap. They could have gotten Lewis much cheaper which would have left them money to sign Darko. Not saying Darko is anything great, but with him gone they lack depth. Also they have a point guard that was terrible last season who the Magic just signed long term.

Lewis must have the same agent as Allan Houston.

Posted by majorleads:

Posted by SupremeCommander:

Posted by majorleads:

Posted by SupremeCommander:

Posted by majorleads:

Max contracts should only be given to superstars who do it on offense and defense. Jefferson might be one of those players down the road, but not now. 13 mil per sounds about right. Player value should always equal the contract. Thats why Orlando completely ****ed everything up by signing Lewis to that ridiculous contract. Now you get less than great players asking for the max. (Except for Jefferson) Also, this is another reason why Isiah needs to go because you know he will give Chubbs a max deal and grossly overpay David Lee.

Rashard isn't worth that contract, for sure. But he is the perfect fit for that team. The only way that move is defensible is if another, better team offered him a good deal and the only way he'd sign with the Magic is with a max deal. Honestly, I don't think there is a better inside-outside combo than Lewis and Howard in the NBA. Huge gamble from the sense that they may never get over the top as a result, but they'll be very good for a long time.

He got like 60 million more than Gerald Wallace, and Wallace is a relentless player on offense and defense. Rashard has one really good skill which is shooting, other than that I can't really see how he's worth more than the contract Jefferson just signed. Also he has a ton of mileage on his legs and was hurt last season.

As for a better inside outside combo, look to the Celtics.

I'd prefer KG + Allen to Howard + Lewis, but I believe the latter to be more textbook of what a great inside-outside game is. KG tends to play more outside as the game continues.

Having said all that, Lewis is grossly overpaid. The financing was terrible but the basketball operations plan is justifiable... if that makes sense.

I understand what you're saying. Basketball wise, he is a good compliment to Howard. However, the Magic are far from a complete team and basically have put all their eggs in the Howard/Lewis basket which pretty much blows out their cap. They could have gotten Lewis much cheaper which would have left them money to sign Darko. Not saying Darko is anything great, but with him gone they lack depth. Also they have a point guard that was terrible last season who the Magic just signed long term.

Lewis must have the same agent as Allan Houston.

As long as they have their MLE and are willing to maybe pay a little luxury tax depending on how good they feel their chances will be, they'll be fine. They locked up Jameer on a very reasonable deal and he's part of their core. Ariza and Redick won't command that much salary even when they come off their rookie deals if they decide to retain them, and the salary cap will continue to escalate. They will have to make sure they do very well with drafting wherever they end up picking. They need to trade any combination of Keyon Dooling, Carlos Arroyo, Pat Garrity, and James Augustine for some 2nd round draft picks to teams under the cap or take back salaried players who'll expire the following yr allowing them to continue to do this for the next couple of yrs while picking up TE's in the process. Lewis is about $4mil/yr overpaid.

[Edited by - TrueBlue on 11-01-2007 6:34 PM]

Posted by Bonn1997:

This deal is a no-brainer for Al Jefferson. You CAN'T turn down that much money. Maybe he'd get the max a year from now or maybe he'd blow out his knee and never play again. The 65 mil is enough to secure his family's well-being for generations.

I agree. Why hold out for $85-$90 mil and risk blowing out your knee when you have $65 mill in hand. You just add an opt-out clause after 3 years and if you grow into a max player you can still get the money but you take less risk. Plus, it has always been my view that being the best player on a good team means endorsements beyond your contract, so it benefits you to allow the team more money to sign better teammates to boost the teams standing.