Davis out for season

[saltlover]

If I'm New Orleans, I give him the extra money.  Sign of good will and will keep him healthy.

They can't do that.  He qualifies for the extra money if he makes the all-NBA team, but it's not an incentive clause.  It's the only way, aside from winning the MVP or starting in consecutive all-star games, that he can be eligible for the very large salary increase, per the NBA's collective bargaining agreement.

[bdm860]

Personally, I think New Orleans is in a tough spot.

Now I'm no doctor, but the official report is he has a left knee injury and a torn labrum in his left shoulder.  Is there any possibility of long term effects here?  Could these injuries become worse/more severe?  Could he injure something else by putting more weight or utilizing his right side more to try to play through the injury?

Here's the thing.  If $24m wasn't at stake and New Orleans didn't have their own draft pick, do you think they'd still sit him or let him play through?

If he's on the Celtics, and again no contract or draft pick at stake and the C's are out of the playoff race, would you want him playing right now?  I know, personally, I'd be concerned he might make the injury worse, or injure something else, or have this lead to more injuries down the road.

Of course this goes both ways, if his team was in the middle of the playoff race or had a legit shot at a championship, would they still sit him?

For a young guy like Anthony Davis, I think it's probably not a good idea for him to play through these injures, not for $24m, not for the playoff, not for the chance at a championship.

Sure it doesn't look good for the Pelicans management/ownership, but it's probably the right move regardless of draft picks or contract situation.

[bdm860]

Also, I think it's kind of funny how big of a deal people are making over the $24m here, but at the same time downplaying the possibly $40m Durant would be leaving on the table if he switched teams.

Why is $24m huge for Anthony Davis, but $40m is nothing for Kevin Durant?

Sure, leaving money on the table would be by choice for Durant, and has already made a lot more than Anthony Davis, yada, yada, yada.  But when it's all said and done, who will likely have higher career earnings?  Sure, I get it.  Just think it's interesting.

[Fafnir]

Also, I think it's kind of funny how big of a deal people are making over the $24m here, but at the same time downplaying the possibly $40m Durant would be leaving on the table if he switched teams.

Why is $24m huge for Anthony Davis, but $40m is nothing for Kevin Durant?

Sure, leaving money on the table would be by choice for Durant, and has already made a lot more than Anthony Davis, yada, yada, yada.  But when it's all said and done, who will likely have higher career earnings?  Sure, I get it.  Just think it's interesting.

Well the actual number for Durant is almost certainly less than $40 given he'll still get another deal after his current contract if he jumps teams, likely another max deal.

Also the real power move for Durant is to do what LBJ did and take a one year deal and then sign at the max for the bigger number since the cap is going up.

[Snakehead]

Also the real power move for Durant is to do what LBJ did and take a one year deal and then sign at the max for the bigger number since the cap is going up.

I see that as a lock to happen.

[gift]

Also, I think it's kind of funny how big of a deal people are making over the $24m here, but at the same time downplaying the possibly $40m Durant would be leaving on the table if he switched teams.

Why is $24m huge for Anthony Davis, but $40m is nothing for Kevin Durant?

Sure, leaving money on the table would be by choice for Durant, and has already made a lot more than Anthony Davis, yada, yada, yada.  But when it's all said and done, who will likely have higher career earnings?  Sure, I get it.  Just think it's interesting.

Because the $24m for Davis is already locked into his current contract. He either gets that $24m or loses it. Durant doesn't necessarily lose any money. Sure, he risks some loss. But more likely he still makes that same money on his next deal. The only difference (in theory) is that $40m for Durant is technically from a different contract, but it's the same money more or less.

I'm personally quite risk-averse so I don't like that kind of thinking. But it's definitely a different scenario and we've seen star players do this recently (Howard, Aldridge). If Durant stays with OKC long term I don't think it will be just for an extra guaranteed year.