Sonics
5-year contract could net Allen $100.5 million
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002003032_soni12.html
By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter

Contrary to published reports, the Sonics have no intention of trading Ray Allen, their leading scorer and co-captain, and are working on a deal that will keep him in Seattle through the 2009-10 season.

General manager Rick Sund began conversations with Allen's agents about a five-year contract extension that could pay the four-time All-Star shooting guard as much as $100.5 million.

Sund characterized the discussions as "philosophical talks" that both sides intend to use as a guideline for what could be a lengthy and potentially cantankerous negotiation process.

Allen's agent, Lon Babby, is expected to fly to Seattle in two weeks to meet with the Sonics and exchange contract proposals.

"We're hopeful we can sit down and talk with Ray and get some type of extension done before next season," said Sund, who added there's no timetable.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the Sonics are willing to commit more than $70 million to Allen, who turned 29 last month, but the team is unsure if he's deserving of a maximum contract ($100.5 million).

Thirty-one of the roughly 410 players in the NBA have maximum contracts, but that number is dwindling as teams become more cost conscious.

Since the 2003-04 season concluded, free agents have collected close to $1 billion, but no one other than Kobe Bryant has been given a maximum deal that compares to what Allen could receive.

"You're going to see less and less of those $100 million contracts being thrown around," said a Western Conference GM. "Unless you're one of the handful of guys competing for the MVP (award), then (teams) have to ask themselves, is he worth it?"




Allen, who turned 29 last month, will earn $14.5 million next season. Since arriving in Seattle in a trade that shipped Gary Payton to Milwaukee in 2003, Allen averaged 24.5 points in 29 games two seasons ago and 23.0 points last season.

Because the collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2004-05 season, the uncertainty of the new agreement may push Allen to opt for the security of a guaranteed contract rather than a potentially more lucrative contract as an unrestricted free agent.

With an extension, Allen also wouldn't have to worry about a possible injury decreasing his value on the free-agent market. Last year, he missed 25 games because of ankle surgery.

The Sonics, with just $21 million in guaranteed salaries next season, would benefit from a deal because they would have a clearer definition of the team they're trying to build.

If the sides are unable to work out an agreement, then expect the Sonics to shop Allen near the trading deadline. If he were to finish the season in Seattle without an extension, then the team would have roughly $24 million in salary-cap money.

Still, the chances of those scenarios coming to fruition hinge upon the negotiations.

The recent trade rumors, such as a report in the Toronto Sun last week that quoted an unnamed source saying that Allen was interested in joining the Raptors, will have no bearing on the contract talks.

"As far as I can tell that's all interesting speculation," he said. "It's not based on anything that we're doing or that Ray's doing."

Babby, who also represents Luke Ridnour, said he has an amicable relationship with Sund. The two negotiated deals for Grant Hill and Jerome Williams when Sund was an executive with the Pistons.


Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

and i thought we overpaid houston...

Ray Allen is better than Houston, but not by an unbelievable margin and he's NOT A SUPERSTAR, and like Houston, he will now be getting superstar money. K-Mart is probably more valueable, and is getting paid less. This now makes Ray Allen untradable, and he too, will be OLD, and injured and all, but the 3rd or 4th year of the contract.

The Sonics should have learned from Laydens mistakes. This is almost the same exact situation. Allen is 29 years old. About the same age Houston was, when he signed the contract. He is coming off a season where he missed a lot of games (Unlike with Houston when he signed the contract.) Again, Allen is the better player, how much longer will he be in his prime, if he didn't pass his prime? 1 more year? 2 more years? The Sonics shouldn't have done that. And what's funny, is that the fans in Seattle are gonna treat Allen like he is a God for signing that contract, meanwhile, the fans and media here destroy Houston.

Again, I stress, Allen is the better player, but he's not worthy of freaking 100.5 mm.

Ray Allen is light years ahead of allan houston as a complete player, defender, ball handler, and athlete. No comparison. He's also healthy. That contract is too much, but 70 million isn't market value (I can't believe I just said that).

Posted by rain:

Ray Allen is light years ahead of allan houston as a complete player, defender, ball handler, and athlete. No comparison. He's also healthy. That contract is too much, but 70 million isn't market value (I can't believe I just said that).

If Crawford and Q-Rich both got around 50 to 56 mil, I think Ray Allen would get around 75 mil

Posted by joec32033:

something to remember...we gave Allan a 5 year $100 mil contract at age 28 or 29, right? He is getting one at almost the same age, for the same amount (it was reported it was around $100 mil on ESPN radio, I heard)..The difference is Allen may be a marginally better player, but he has a history of injuries....Houston was an iron man up to 2 years ago. Allen will never be mistaken for an ironman.

Houston has played 769 games out of 788 games in his 10 yrs in the league (rookie season included and 50 out of 50 stike shortened seasson games)before last year.

Ray has played (with the same things included since his rookie year of 96-97) in 523 out of 624 games not including last year....he was solid up until 200-01....he started missing alot of time.

Stats taken from NBA.com players Stats.

[Edited by - joec32033 on 08/12/2004 13:50:22]

Ray Allen is more than just marginally better than Allan Houston 9even when Houston was 29). Ray Allen is a much better ball-handler and playmaker; he gives about 5 assists a game. He's a better defender and a much better rebounder, and he gets more steals.


[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 08/12/2004 15:54:07]

If it's 70 mm, then that's a different story. Good contract for Ray and the Sonics. I was talking about 100.5 mm, and JoeC repeated almost everything I said. Ray is the better player, but it's not by light years. If that were the case, then ray would be in the same league as Kobe and T-mac and Pierce and Iverson, which he isn't.

70 mm, 5 years. Good contract.
100.5 mm, 5 years. Horrific contract. Sonics haven't learned from Layden. The whole league should have learned from Layden.

Housont can't sniff Allen's jock. Allen passes, rebounds, gets steals, and plays adequate defense while arguably being a better shooter, and certainly a better scorer, as he is also athletic. He is a max player. Houston is simply not.

Let's not undervalue Houston. I think Ray Allen is a marginally better player than Houston but not by much. They both have a sweet J and on D they play similar. Ray is not exactly an all-defensive player like you would say Michael Jordan. I will say Ray plays a better all around offense than Allan. Hey I am an UConn fan and I watch him play on tv whenever I get the chance.

I used to watch Allen quite a bit when he was with the Bucks and he is real good offensively, surprisingly strong taking it to the hole. However, there is no one softer on the defensive end and he doesn't have a great handle and is a lousy passer to boot. So to say Seattle overpaid for his services is an understatement.

If it was toss up who would get a max contract between Allen and Houston, it has to be Allen. Do either deserve a max contract Hell No.