The Fans, do, Ultimately, Have the Final Say

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

September 1997

Only 1 rookie, Vancouver Grizzlies' C Bryant "Big Country" Reeves, from the NBA's first rookie 3 - year pay scale from the 1995 Draft has been signed to a contract extension; thereby, avoiding becoming a free agent next summer. Consequently, what does the future hold for these top rookies, their teams, and the league?

Under the latest collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union, a team may negotiate a contract extension with their first round draft pick after the player's second season from July 1st to October 1st. After October 1st, negotiations are not allowed until the following July 1st when the player is a free agent and can tender offers from teams throughout the league. Vancouver signed Reeves to a 6 - year contract extension worth $68M. The amount of the deal sent shutters throughout the league. If a marginal center like Reeves can receive that much, then what are players such as Kevin Garnett, Damon Stoudamire, and company going to ask for?

Stoudamire, ironically, was believed to be the first player to sign a contract extension this summer. However, after seeing what Reeves' received, Damon's contract demand was well above (about $30M) what Toronto GM Isiah Thomas offered. Isiah has since convinced Damon to become a free agent next summer then re - sign with Toronto after the Raptors sign other top free agents. It's a huge gamble on both sides; but, an uncanny level of trust exists between Damon and Isiah.

Minnesota still holds out hope of signing Garnett to an extension before October 1st even though their original offer of 6 years, $90 - $103M was refused. Good luck to the T-wolves.

Denver hopes to sign Antonio McDyess and avoid receiving no compensation. However, as of Sept. 10th, the Nuggets could not get in touch with McDyess. No one knew where Antonio was (including his agent). Clearly, an ominous tone set for Denver.

Golden State's Joe Smith, the top pick in the '95 Draft wants at least $100M to re - sign w/ the Warriors. The Warriors have begun entertaining trade offers from other clubs for Smith.

The league has been surprised by the huge offers given to their first class of rookies under the new rookie scale. Their initial hope was to allow the veteran players to make the most money and have the younger players develop and earn the larger salaries as their career's progressed. That plan, however, has blown up. After 3 years, the top first round picks and / or their agents are demanding contracts totaling at least $100M and averaging at least $14M per season.

The problem that is about to become quite prevalent is: the smaller market teams will not be able to compete with the larger market teams and re - sign their own players. Minnesota is a clear example. The Timberwolves original contract offer to Kevin Garnett is worth more than what the owner, Glen Taylor, originally paid for the entire team. The T-wolves' problems have just begun since their other 2 star players, F Tom Gugliotta and G Stephon Marbury, can begin negotiating new deals next summer. Minnesota may go from a promising future to no future in a matter of 18 months. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and company just sit and wait and watch their ability to pay players increase day after day, year after year.

A new television deal is expected to add some help to the smaller market clubs. This coming season is the last year of the current t.v. contract with the NBA, TNT (including TBS), and NBC. The new contract is expected to double the existing deal and be worth around one billion dollars! The new contract will increase the team salary cap and provide additional revenue to all the teams. However, the new contract will only be a band-aid to a potentially festering wound.

The NBA is better run than its Major League Baseball counterpart; unfortunately, if nothing is done in the near future, the NBA may share MLB's fate with small market teams slashing payroll to survive and large market teams signing most, if not all, the top talent. Consequently, look for the owners to ask to open up contract talks as early as next summer. The players counter: "If the owners didn't have the money to pay, they shouldn't make the offer." The players are right; however, ultimately, the one who always ends up footing the bill is the person always lost in the equation -- the fan. Attendance at NBA games is comprised of the well-to-do, corporate types. Everyone else has to watch at home. Ironically, if the fans stopped watching at home, the t.v. deals wouldn't be so high. Fans, do, ultimately, have the final say.