This makes the Blazers contract extension (4 years 46 million) with Batum look genius. The Indiana Pacers and Paul George are finalizing a five-year, $90 million-plus maximum contract extension, according to league sources. George is expected to sign the deal this week. A member of the 2010 draft class, George has until Oct. 31 to agree upon an extension with the Pacers to avoid restricted free agency next summer. George averaged 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game last season, his third in the NBA.
Well, it makes it look reasonable. I think George has a higher ceiling and overall his stats were better. While I do think he's better, I'm not so sure he's 7 million PER year better though.
Nic averaged 14.3/5.6/4.9 They're paying George MVP money.Looks like we got a GREAT deal. Sent from HCPs Baller-Ass iPhone 5...FAMS!
George might actually get MVP votes if the Pacers are a top 3 team in the league this regular season. Remember, they took the Heat to 7 games on the backs of George and Hibbert. They're a small market team and they know they need to lock up their stars ASAP and treat them right if they want to be a destination franchise. The only way George stays is if they pay him the max, so why fight with him over it? Its probably cheaper to sign him now as a 3 year guy than waiting as long as possible (at least one year right?) to ultimately max him out. With the new CBA, if you've got core guys that you can contend with you gotta lock them up and keep all the other players on short, small deals. Feaux stars getting large chunks of the cap are not ideal. And Batum isn't even a feaux star. I'd rather have George at max than Batum at 11.5 mils/year.
I agrees with everything you posted until this. Totally disagree! Sent from HCPs Baller-Ass iPhone 5...FAMS!
George and Hibbert also had David West, George Hill, and a bench of serviceable players. They were not trying to compete with Nolan Smith, Luke Babbitt, and Ronnie Price. I think Batum and George both have fair contracts. If I had to choose between the two, I would take George at 5 years/90M just because he is the better player. Also note that the contract is one year longer and will go into effect the same year Batum's goes into year three. Inflation and keeping a good player out of free agency a year longer make the George deal more appealing.
Paul George is light years better than Nic though, so the contract should be more. I'd much rather have George at the max than Batum for 11 or whatever.
Paying George that much is only an issue if it hurts the Pacers down the road in keeping another good player. If the player they lose can be replaced....no big deal. If the player can not be replaced (i.e like the Hardin scenario) then it can hurt. But it seems like a smart deal for Indiana to lock up their young star. They are in a similar position to Portland where they can't afford to allow their stars to be pursued by the more "glamorous" destination franchises. George is a stud. If he gets injured then it will be a disaster, but I am not sure they had any other move. Trading a young star is seldom a smart move.
Well, considering George was the main guy on the Pacers and Batum was at best the 3rd guy, I'm not sure if the 7 million is justified. He should get more, but not sure if the extra $$ is worth it. It could be worth it, no doubt.
Paying George that amount is worth it. He is a total stud and was the best player on Indy. I'd pay the extra for him over batum every day
That is way too much money for a player, even at Georges caliber. He is much better than Batum and has a higher ceiling; but that is superstar type money. If George is anything less than a superstar; the pacers blew their load to easily.
I do not think Granger gets a max contract. Agree he is trade bait. Indy really needs a pg that can create.
He is absolutely a great player. I am not knocking that.... What I'm saying is players that carry teams will get that type of money on a team. George is absolutely a beast; but I don't see him pulling those 4th quarter dominance offensively, that you need from a wing. I know offense is only 50% of your game, but the superstar on your team must carry the offensive load during the 4th. That is what separates the superstar from the all-star, IMo.
