Good Ken Berger article on Rondo (including contract details)

[jambr380]

I think Berger was wrong about Rondo's extension. 

He could sign an extension this summer for 3 years (4 including the year he is already under contract for).  The downside is you can only give him 7.5% raises from his 2014-15 salary.  BUT, they can also give him a 15% bonus of the entire extension, that would be paid either on July 1, 2015...or if they are under the cap this summer (unlikely, but possible), it could be paid immediately.

What this all means is this summer, Rondo could sign a 3 year/$44.5 million extension, plus a 6.68 million signing bonus.  Which would make it 3 years/$51.2 million, making an average of just over $17 million per year...with the added value money value of receiving $6.68 million in a lump sum signing bonus at the beginning of the contract.

While he could certainly have the potential to make more money by waiting, hitting free agency, and hoping to max out, he would be taking significant risk that he would stay healthy, and improve enough to get paid that much next year.

Plus, both he and the C's might prefer the flexibility of the slightly shorter contract.  For the C's, it is obvious why, but for Rondo, it also means that there is more of a chance that he will sign one more big money contract before he falls off a cliff when he starts getting deeper into his 30's.

So, I think it is very possible that he will agree to an extension this summer, and they will go forward with Rondo locked up through 2018.

That really seems like more than enough to secure Rondo. Is somebody else really going to see him as more than a $17 million / yr player? I can't imagine that. Hopefully he will continue to get more and more comfortable as the year continues and is ready to be a big contributor next year.

On a slightly off note, any chance Rondo is taking it super-easy until after the trade deadline?

[tstorey_97]

My guess is no extension. The max deal for the following season is what he must do. Home town discount for a lottery team? The kid deserves the jackpot, he's earned it. The comfort for those who want to keep him? Ainge can pay him more than anyone.

Why would he sign a extension/discount for Ainge? Ainge could ship him out the next day. His agent wouldn't allow it.

[D.o.s.]

My guess is no extension. The max deal for the following season is what he must do. Home town discount for a lottery team? The kid deserves the jackpot, he's earned it. The comfort for those who want to keep him? Ainge can pay him more than anyone.

Why would he sign a extension/discount for Ainge? Ainge could ship him out the next day. His agent wouldn't allow it.

He deserves to opt out, for sure. But you don't find many GM's being lauded for paying players "what they've earned" rather than "what they're worth."

[azzenfrost]

Discount only if it comes with a no trade clause.

[Chris]

My guess is no extension. The max deal for the following season is what he must do. Home town discount for a lottery team? The kid deserves the jackpot, he's earned it. The comfort for those who want to keep him? Ainge can pay him more than anyone.

Why would he sign a extension/discount for Ainge? Ainge could ship him out the next day. His agent wouldn't allow it.

It's not a hometown discount.  He signs an extension at a discount from what he would get as a free agent, because he gets the security of having a longterm deal in place before he takes the floor next year.  It is insurance against injury or a regression (or lack of improvement) in his game.

If he doesn't sign an extension this summer, and comes out next year and gets injured, or doesn't perform well (and it is absolutely possible his numbers would take a big hit if they don't add some elite finishers around him), he would end up losing a lot of money.

It is always hard to tell how much of a gamble each player wants to take.  But there are plenty of players who would take the extension now.