Has Richard Jefferson fired his agent yet?

[More Banners]

He gave up the $15, but I think was figuring, with as many teams as have/had cap space, that he could get 3/$30 to be 2nd or 3rd banana, which is a role he has done will at in the past (the max deal made no sense).  I'd say $24 might even be enough.

If the Cavs wanted to try to give it a go next year, RJ would be the guy to play SF in an ensemble cast next to Jamison and Mo, but perhaps Cleveland will (and should) just go in another direction altogether.

[the_Bird]

I thought he and the Spurs had come to an agreement about a long-term deal?

I do wonder if Jefferson might have a bit more success playing alongside Rondo, maybe get out in the open court a bit more.  He was a tremendous disappointment in San Antonio, but if he were available for something like MLE dollars...  it's a lot like Jermaine O'Neil, "very disappointing" at $15M or $20M is equal to "solid pickup!" at $5M or $6M.

Why would the Spurs want to sign him to a longer deal when he was such a terrible fit on that team? If he had been at least medicore the Spurs could have gotten farther than they did--RJ did SA a huge favor by opting out and saving them $15mil! By the end if the summer, he'll get nervous and other teams will get desperate, and he'll end up in Toronto, or NJ or maybe even NY.

Never said that I thought they SHOULD re-sign him, only that I thought I had read that they were close to an agreement.

[nickagneta]

I think he ends up signing a deal with one of the teams that has a large exception like Toronto or Minnesota or Cleveland or maybe even Atlanta. Didn't Atlanta get an MLE sized exception from Phoenix for Josh Childress? Maybe a full boat 5 year MLE type contract from Atlanta makes sense.

[action781]

I thought he and the Spurs had come to an agreement about a long-term deal?

I do wonder if Jefferson might have a bit more success playing alongside Rondo, maybe get out in the open court a bit more.  He was a tremendous disappointment in San Antonio, but if he were available for something like MLE dollars...  it's a lot like Jermaine O'Neil, "very disappointing" at $15M or $20M is equal to "solid pickup!" at $5M or $6M.

Why would the Spurs want to sign him to a longer deal when he was such a terrible fit on that team? If he had been at least medicore the Spurs could have gotten farther than they did--RJ did SA a huge favor by opting out and saving them $15mil! By the end if the summer, he'll get nervous and other teams will get desperate, and he'll end up in Toronto, or NJ or maybe even NY.

I could see him fitting in well to a D'Antoni style offense along with Amare.  I wouldn't mind NYK getting him, it might be fun to watch.  Definitely a better fit than SA.

[JSD]

I would love the Celtics to knab him on a 2 year deal. He'd be a perfect scorer off the bench.

[jayk009]

Richard Jefferson is not going to settle for less than a 4 year deal. He would look absolutely foolish if he did....


I think he will eventually end up in Cleveland...

[Moranis]

Ainge needs to talk the Spurs into a S&T for Richard Jefferson.

I'd love it, but I'm thinking that Perk, BBD, or at the very least Bradley would have to be included in a such a deal along with Wallace.  

Something, otherwise San Antonio just lets him walk.  No incentive for them to facilitate a trade otherwise.  

trade exception

which we don’t have.

No I mean they could get a million from us depending on what Jefferson's first year salary was.  Enough to take on some a rookie.  Plus whatever second round pick we sent them.

[moiso]

Maybe the problem is that Jefferson thinks he is smarter than his agent.  That would seem to fit in with his personality.

Jefferson is a big name, but the more you analyze his game, the worse he seems.  I honestly don't think he's all that good of a player.  He's a nice finisher around the rim, but what else?  His defense has slipped in recent years, his head doesn't always seem to be in the game when I watch him, he's an average shooter, he seems most happy when he gets a lot of shot attempts.

I really think Josh Howard might be more useful, at a fraction of the price.

[the_Bird]

Richard Jefferson is not going to settle for less than a 4 year deal. He would look absolutely foolish if he did....


I think he will eventually end up in Cleveland...

No more foolish that Bonzi Wells, or Stephen Jackson, or Spreewell, three guys that rejected very solid contract offers and ended up playing for a fraction of what they would have earned otherwise.  Wells, I think I read he rejected something like 5/$35M, ended up playing for 2/$4.5M. 

Players do foolish things.  Jefferson's just the latest.  With how severely his game has declined since leaving New Jersey, no one's going to offer him a four year deal at any kind of real dollars.  Remember, Milwaukee loved him so much they gave him away to SA for virtually nothing.

I do think Jefferson would stand a better-than-average chance of having some success playing alongside Rondo.  Sure as hell wouldn't commit more than two years to him, though.

[nickagneta]

Jefferson would do well to do what James Posey did. Take very little to go to a team he feels will be playing into June on a one year deal. Dedicate his entire year, effort and focus into being the absolute best he can be and have an outstanding year helping to bring a team a championship. And then strike it big in free agency the year after.

His reputation has taken a hit since Kidd left New Jersey and his game has fallen off without a supreme PG to set him up properly. A year in Boston as the backup wing helping the C's win another championship would rebuild what has been a rapidly declining rep and probably get him the contract he wants next year.

[the_Bird]

Jefferson would do well to do what James Posey did. Take very little to go to a team he feels will be playing into June on a one year deal. Dedicate his entire year, effort and focus into being the absolute best he can be and have an outstanding year helping to bring a team a championship. And then strike it big in free agency the year after.

His reputation has taken a hit since Kidd left New Jersey and his game has fallen off without a supreme PG to set him up properly. A year in Boston as the backup wing helping the C's win another championship would rebuild what has been a rapidly declining rep and probably get him the contract he wants next year.

.... except that the reason he opted out was that he wanted the security of a long-term contract going into a likely lockout and probably having to negotiate his next contract under less-favorable terms.  I agree with the sentiment - come here for a year on the cheap, contend for 6th man of the year, get paid the following season - but the dynamics of the coming labor discord kind of screw that up.

[Who]

Jefferson would do well to do what James Posey did. Take very little to go to a team he feels will be playing into June on a one year deal. Dedicate his entire year, effort and focus into being the absolute best he can be and have an outstanding year helping to bring a team a championship. And then strike it big in free agency the year after.

His reputation has taken a hit since Kidd left New Jersey and his game has fallen off without a supreme PG to set him up properly. A year in Boston as the backup wing helping the C's win another championship would rebuild what has been a rapidly declining rep and probably get him the contract he wants next year.

I think Jefferson would be better off playing for a poor team or borderline playoff team ... have a starring role and post big stat lines ... versus playing in a smaller role on a contender.

Playing for a contender would limit his minutes + touches + shot attempts + stats ... like it did in San Antonio ... which would limit his potential financial earnings in the future (MLE would be the ceiling).

[Chris]

Jefferson would do well to do what James Posey did. Take very little to go to a team he feels will be playing into June on a one year deal. Dedicate his entire year, effort and focus into being the absolute best he can be and have an outstanding year helping to bring a team a championship. And then strike it big in free agency the year after.

His reputation has taken a hit since Kidd left New Jersey and his game has fallen off without a supreme PG to set him up properly. A year in Boston as the backup wing helping the C's win another championship would rebuild what has been a rapidly declining rep and probably get him the contract he wants next year.

I think Jefferson would be better off playing for a poor team or borderline playoff team ... have a starring role and post big stat lines ... versus playing in a smaller role on a contender.

Playing for a contender would limit his minutes + touches + shot attempts + stats ... like it did in San Antonio ... which would limit his potential financial earnings in the future (MLE would be the ceiling).

True.  Although I think what killed him in San Antonio was the system.  He is not a halfcourt player.  He needs to play in the open court to succeed, and really is at his best next to an elite passer. 

I actually think he would be a great fit in Boston, and would rejuvenate his career playing with Rondo.  But I have a feeling they wouldn't be able to agree on a contract.

So, instead, I think the best option for him would be Dallas.  Reuniting with Jason Kidd would do wonders for him.  I think a sign and trade for Jason Terry would make a ton of sense, given the glut of combo-guards on the Mavs. 

[nickagneta]

It's too bad Phoenix went with Turkuglo, Childress, Dudley and Hill at the small forward spot. Jefferson would have seemed to have been the perfect fit alongside Nash in that offense. A Nash/Richardson/Jefferson/Warrick/Lopez starting five would have great offensive potential in a wide open running game.

[mahonedog88]

I'm surprised the Bulls haven't taken a look at him.  Unless they're set at thinking that Deng is going to play SF.  But if they moved him over to SG you have...

Derrick Rose
Luol Deng
Richard Jefferson
Carlos Boozer
Joakim Noah

That's a pretty solid starting 5...that is if RJ can actually understand Thibadeaus system and can play up to his potential, which is what did NOT happen in San Antonio