The Post and NBATV reported he'd sign the 6-year, $55 million.

I can't recall ever seeing him being offered a 7-year deal, and I find this hard to believe. After all of this, and his agent brokering an interview, he's going to not accept it over 1 year? Not to mention he's getting paid the same amount of money.

I don't even want to discuss it anymore, I just want it done, then we'll discuss it. Until then, we're wasting our time.

Posted by BRIGGS:

how about atlanta? they have no PG and 10.5 mm in cap room -why wouldnt they be big time players now?

They would be players in the market, a very large market. Like I said, I doubt the market for expiring deals will be saturated, leaving the door open for us at the deadline.

Posted by Bonn1997:

We don't know the full details of the story but it does seem odd that a 7th year was added to the contract. It's one thing to agree to a 6 year, 55 mil contract; it's another to be asked to play for free for the 7th year.

From Crawford's standpoint, sure, go for the gold. From the Knick's standpoint, I think we're a little frustrated right now - if Craw stays, he plays for 3.5 mil and likely does not have a showcase year due to Gordon and Hinrich. Crawford, don't make a mistake - you're taking a gamble and it could end up laying an egg in your face.

[Edited by - codeunknown on 08/03/2004 23:44:07]

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm

I dont know if this has been posted before but this is a good reference for salary cap questions.

Posted by codeunknown:

Posted by Bonn1997:

we don't know what happened during the conversation with Kiki in Denver. Maybe he got a better offer. I'd be surprised, but it's possible

That too would have to be a sign and trade

Denver still has a lot of cap room according to hoopshype. If they want to, they can just offer Jamal a bigger contact.

Posted by PhilinLA:

This will get done tomorrow. Hopefully Dampier, too. Crawford's agent has put this deal together and I find the idea that he is hemming and hawing to be bs. If he is Zeke will show him the Chicago way. In any event, it'll get done when the league office opens. Hopefully Dampier by tomorrow night or Thursday then we can re-assess.

Agreed. I also agree with person who said the deal is 6 years. Even Paxson has said the deal was always for six years. I'm guessing a typical Knicks hater wrote that article.

Sigh, please let this saga end tomorrow.

Posted by daddynel:

http://http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/931253.htm?1c

What's the jist? I can't remember my username or password.

That link is no good, but:

Posted on Tue, Aug. 03, 2004





Bulls-Knicks deal close

BY K.C. JOHNSON

Chicago Tribune


CHICAGO - (KRT) - General managers Isiah Thomas and John Paxson have agreed in principle to a six-player trade that would send Bulls Jamal Crawford and Jerome Williams to the Knicks for Dikembe Mutombo, Othella Harrington, Frank Williams and Cezary Trybanski, league sources said.

There's one small problem: Crawford's camp has rejected the trade - for now.

The streamlined version of the trade talks, which have lasted for five weeks and featured countless combinations, calls for Crawford to sign a seven-year, $55 million deal.

In previously discussed scenarios, Crawford stood to make that amount in six years and possibly $70 million in seven years. The new figures have given Crawford's camp pause, sources said.

Since Crawford is a restricted free agent and the Bulls own his rights, Paxson has never budged from his stance that major financial relief was the only path to a deal.

That Thomas has agreed in principle to send four expiring contacts to the Bulls is consistent with Paxson's philosophy. It also will save the Bulls $15 million in cash and $18 million in salary-cap space over the next four seasons.

Crawford would be a base-year compensation player under the structure of the proposed deal, which is complicating matters. A league source said Thomas rejected a proposal to sign an unwanted free agent and include him in the deal as salary-cap ballast so that Crawford's salary could go higher.

There is still guarded optimism on all sides that a deal will get done. The only concern is that Thomas will be put off by Crawford's camp rejecting a nearly done deal.

If the trade collapses, it's almost certain Crawford will play next season for the Bulls at a qualifying offer of $3.5 million and then become an unrestricted free agent.

The Bulls' pitch to re-sign Crawford for six years at $39 million is no longer an option.

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© 2004, Chicago Tribune.