Minnesota Timberwolves
Giannis Antetokounmpo - HOU (BR)
Jul 9, 2018 20:58:57 GMT
Ian Noble, Blake Bowman, and 5 more like this
Post by Walt Frazier on Jul 9, 2018 20:58:57 GMT
We would like to thank the Celtics, Nets, Lakers, Grizzlies, Magic, Rockets, and Heat for their expressed interest in my client. While a fantastic argument can be made for most of these teams, I felt (as did the committee) that Giannis has simply shown to be far too loyal up to this point in his NBA career to leave Houston at this time. The Rockets here in D5 are likely a better team than the Bucks were at the time he re-signed in Milwaukee. Giannis never even hit Free Agency in real life, to boot. Giannis Antetokoumpo will return to the Houston Rockets on a full Max offer, max raises, with a Player Option on the 4th year:
Year 1: $25,467,250
Year 2: $27,377,294
Year 3: $29,287,338
Year 4: $31,197,382 (Player Option)
Total: $113,329,264
The majority of our debate in the committee was over the length of the contract that Giannis would sign. Opinions ranged from a 2+1 to a 4+1 length of contract. Convincing arguments on both ends of this debate led to our decision being delayed until now. The reason we went with the 3+1, all told (long story short), was partially to compromise these thoughts. Additionally, the current construction of the Rockets played a role. With Kevin Love, Kemba Walker, John Henson, and even Shaun Livingston and Jared Sullinger all locked into contracts (likely, with Player Options picked up) for the next 3 years, it feels right for Giannis to commit to this team for the length of their contracts, and allow himself and the rest of the team to move in a new direction at that time, if desired. Of course, the Rockets could change drastically by that time, but at this moment it did play a small role (admittedly, very small, and was not even discussed directly in the committee) in my decision on the length of his contract. The 4+1 camp feels Giannis has shown to be nothing but loyal and would re-up to get the maximum amount of money possible, while the 2+1 feels the Rockets are locked into a team that is not championship-contending for the next 2-3 years, so Giannis would not want to commit for too long.
I would normally expend some effort talking about at least the top few options who Giannis did NOT sign with, but to be honest, my first decision was "does it make sense for Giannis to leave?" Since the answer was no, we did not really debate the merits of an Embiid/Simmons/Giannis team, or a Porzingis/Booker/Giannis, or KAT/Jokic/Mitchell/Giannis...etc. All are clearly exciting, but of course, Giannis is such a transcendental talent, that any team would look marvelously improved with him on the roster. One thing is for certain - there are some great teams developing in this league, and the top teams had better watch out!
Congratulations to Charles Barkley & the Houston Rockets! Watch out Western Conference, I know they have big plans!
Year 1: $25,467,250
Year 2: $27,377,294
Year 3: $29,287,338
Year 4: $31,197,382 (Player Option)
Total: $113,329,264
The majority of our debate in the committee was over the length of the contract that Giannis would sign. Opinions ranged from a 2+1 to a 4+1 length of contract. Convincing arguments on both ends of this debate led to our decision being delayed until now. The reason we went with the 3+1, all told (long story short), was partially to compromise these thoughts. Additionally, the current construction of the Rockets played a role. With Kevin Love, Kemba Walker, John Henson, and even Shaun Livingston and Jared Sullinger all locked into contracts (likely, with Player Options picked up) for the next 3 years, it feels right for Giannis to commit to this team for the length of their contracts, and allow himself and the rest of the team to move in a new direction at that time, if desired. Of course, the Rockets could change drastically by that time, but at this moment it did play a small role (admittedly, very small, and was not even discussed directly in the committee) in my decision on the length of his contract. The 4+1 camp feels Giannis has shown to be nothing but loyal and would re-up to get the maximum amount of money possible, while the 2+1 feels the Rockets are locked into a team that is not championship-contending for the next 2-3 years, so Giannis would not want to commit for too long.
I would normally expend some effort talking about at least the top few options who Giannis did NOT sign with, but to be honest, my first decision was "does it make sense for Giannis to leave?" Since the answer was no, we did not really debate the merits of an Embiid/Simmons/Giannis team, or a Porzingis/Booker/Giannis, or KAT/Jokic/Mitchell/Giannis...etc. All are clearly exciting, but of course, Giannis is such a transcendental talent, that any team would look marvelously improved with him on the roster. One thing is for certain - there are some great teams developing in this league, and the top teams had better watch out!
Congratulations to Charles Barkley & the Houston Rockets! Watch out Western Conference, I know they have big plans!
Boston Celtics
Portland Trailblazers
Brooklyn Nets
Milwaukee Bucks
Utah Jazz
