http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/10340941/a-rajon-rondo-contract-extension-boston-celtics-makes-sense-eventually
Forsberg breakdown of Rondo contract options:
This summer, Boston has two potential extension options for Rondo. The team can tack on a three-year, $44.8 million extension to the final year of his current deal without a signing bonus, which would pay him the scheduled $12.9 million in 2014-15, $13.9 million in 2015-16; $14.9 million in 2016-17; and $16 million in 2017-18. Or, if Boston can stomach a signing bonus payment of $6.6 million, those annual salaries would drop to $11.7 million, $12.5 million and $13.4 million in the extended seasons.
Allowing Rondo to get to unrestricted free agency is a bit more daunting. As a Bird Rights free agent after the 2014-15 season, Rondo could command as much as a five-year max-money deal from Boston, which would put him in line for a potential $100-plus million contract.
Using an estimate of $18.2 million for a first-year max figure (again, the actual number will depend on the cap that season), Rondo's salary charges would grow to $19.6 million in 2016-17, $20.9 million in 2017-18, $22.3 million in 2018-19, and $23.7 million in 2019-20, when he'd be 34 years old.
The signing bonus extension option, please. Rondo making a max deal is way too much. If Rondo is intent on taking this to free agency then sayonara.
I'm a big fan of option one. If Rondo were to get to free agency, I think something like 4 years at 17 per might be reasonable, but those numbers Forsberg posted are just absurd. I don't see anybody giving him that money.
I guess under the CBA that's what he could earn, but I don't think it's what he will earn.
Sign the 3 years, $45million this summer. Everybody's happy.
Everybody except Rondo, you mean.
I wouldn't be so sure about that. He's taking a fairly sizable risk if he heads into free agency.
Maybe I'm the one who has this wrong, but based on what some others have posted, I am of the belief that the extension he turned down can only be for two years, worth about $13 million per if he signs it right now. If he signs this summer, he can make a total of about $19 million more.
I would be seriously tempted to take the latter deal if I were Rondo.
Rondo has long maintained that he's the best point guard in the NBA. You think that extension is going to validate his sense of self-worth when he knows what guys like Rose, Wall, and Westbrook are getting paid?
I guess we'll see. If the numbers posted by Forsberg--more than $100 million over five years--are correct, I just don't think he's getting anywhere near that.
I think Rondo, prideful as he is, might be aware of that risk. I know that these guys often like to measure themselves by their paycheck, but I still think the value of the extension--if he signs it this summer--is a very respectable deal for Rondo.
If he enters free agency and no one comes calling with an offer that comes anywhere near the maximum amount, it could be way more embarrassing than making less than Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.
Also, as far as money goes, Rondo did just sign to be the face of the biggest sneaker company in China. He might not go starving anytime soon.
And, of course, Rondo is going to want to be in a situation where he feels comfortable and where he feels there's a chance of competing for something. I'm hoping that Danny can convince him that they are headed in that direction come signing time.