Dwight Jaynes: A new take on Roy's contract negotiations

[Erroneous Subterfuge]

Didn't see this posted. Ridicule me if it has.

A different perspective that will obviously not go over well on this message board. Shame on Roy.

But what I’ve never much liked is players doing their contract negotiating through the media. Especially in a situation like this when it’s very early in the whole process. In fact, the front office currently has one eye on summer league and the other on free agency.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah, honestly I feel Roy is being a little immature.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

While I love Roy and am shocked an extension has not yet been worked out, this situation has weakened my opinion of him.

 

[Tince]

There's no doubt this was done in poor taste by all parties. Just like KP and Portland management are getting ripped, Roy and his agent are also at fault for handling this situation poorly.

 

[The Sebastian Express]

There's no doubt this was done in poor taste by all parties. Just like KP and Portland management are getting ripped, Roy and his agent are also at fault for handling this situation poorly.

Agreed.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

There's no doubt this was done in poor taste by all parties. Just like KP and Portland management are getting ripped, Roy and his agent are also at fault for handling this situation poorly.

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Tince again."

 

[Rational Blazer Fan]

There's no doubt this was done in poor taste by all parties. Just like KP and Portland management are getting ripped, Roy and his agent are also at fault for handling this situation poorly.

It should have never went to the media. But it will be done. It hasn't even been a week. I have negotiated job benefits and salary for much longer, and I promise I make no where near the wage Roy is and will.

Things take time!

 

[Tince]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Tince again."

Funny you say that, I got the same message in return a few weeks ago when I tried to rep you.

I've never been good at sharing!

 

[Tince]

It should have never went to the media. But it will be done. It hasn't even been a week. I have negotiated job benefits and salary for much longer, and I promise I make no where near the wage Roy is and will.

Things take time!

I've been saying this all week... There is no doubt in my mind Roy will be a Blazer 1, 2, 3+ years from now.

 

[Tyler_Hansbrough]

Yeah, honestly I feel Roy is being a little immature.

That's how you know it's a publicity stunt. Roy is not like this.

 

[Rational Blazer Fan]

That's how you know it's a publicity stunt. Roy is not like this.

I wouldn't say stunt, but tactic. One that doesn't have to last much longer hopefully, because I can not take people crying over it anymore. Roy will get paid, he is the franchise. KP knows this, the media knows this, Roy knows this, and we (well most of us) know this. Overreacting just cause is silly. It will get done!

Things take time (again)!

But I will say, in an economy where people have lost a lot of money recently, I do not see an on going contract dispute over a ETO of a max contract playing favorably in the publics eye for Roy. But I do not think it is him pulling the strings, rather his agents. And I do not think he is even pulling them for Roy, but more so LMA.

I just hope it doesn't back fire for all involved, us fans included.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

It should have never went to the media. But it will be done. It hasn't even been a week. I have negotiated job benefits and salary for much longer, and I promise I make no where near the wage Roy is and will.

Things take time!

That's true . . . this is complicated and sounds like it will take time.

Not all things take time. Barg was signed quickly and I think he makes near the wage you do. I remeber Chirs Paul being taken care of pretty quickly. I don't remember Lebron going to the press. I do think Williams had some trouble with his negotiations . . . although it never went as public as this has.

My point is I don't think just because it is a big contract it should automatically take time . . . but I understand sometime they do.

 

[Rational Blazer Fan]

My point is I don't think just because it is a big contract it should automatically take time . . . but I understand sometime they do.

I do not think it is the money for Roy. I think it is the ETO, and the fact that Bargs (who makes way more than me) got the contract he did, and that they do not want to pay LMA max, but with Bargs getting what he did, his agent will ask for that.

 

[mgb]

So it's not that the Blazers won't give him a 5 yr contract, it's that he wants a player option on the 5th year? That makes more sense than what was originally reported.

 

[Minstrel]

I'm okay with Roy making minor comments in the media. That's essentially his only leverage right now, getting public sentiment on his side. As long as he doesn't "air dirty laundry" in public, I'm fine with him putting subtle pressure on the Blazers by saying how he's a little disappointed and frustrated.

And I'm fine with Pritchard and the Blazers taking a tough line on negotiations.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Will wonders never cease?

THIS old crank actually thinks THAT old crank made a valid point. Makes me wonder if we are both going soft!

 

[Ed O]

There's no doubt this was done in poor taste by all parties. Just like KP and Portland management are getting ripped, Roy and his agent are also at fault for handling this situation poorly.

Actually there's no doubt in my mind that NEITHER party is acting in poor taste.

I just can't get worked up about contract negotiations and I am not ready to ascribe personal failings like immaturity or greed or stupidity to people I don't know personally.

Ed O.

 

[ucatchtrout]

I have to say I agree with Dwight on this one. I blame Roys agent. If they'd all have been a bit more patient, this would be taken care of before camp opens. The Blazers are not stupid. Roy will get what he wants and has earned.

 

[Tince]

Actually there's no doubt in my mind that NEITHER party is acting in poor taste.

I just can't get worked up about contract negotiations and I am not ready to ascribe personal failings like immaturity or greed or stupidity to people I don't know personally.

Ed O.

That's good. I certainly can say I'm not worked up about their negotiations either.

I certainly think they could have handled it a private matter and that would have been the best move long term, but you obviously disagree. Fair enough.

 

[Masbee]

The Golden Boy is starting to show a little tarnish.

If Brandon Roy wants to be just another superstar jock, by all means, listen to your agent (who may be manipulating you for his and another client's benefit), do whatever it takes to do what is "best for your family".

God I fucking HATE that line.

The real key slip in this by Roy was the line about not being able to recruit free agents since he didn't know if he would be here. This despite being under contract for two more seasons.

If Brandon Roy wants to be something special - BETTER than your average superstar jock, then he will listen to his internal advice, which has served him well in the recent past.

This off-season, Roy should have recruited HARD for the team. He should have waited 60 days or more before ramping up the hard negotiation tactics if they were still miles apart on the terms, he should have avoided negotiating in public, but used it as a threat to "go nuclear" - NOT used it the first fucking week, and he should consider the salary structure plan of the team's attempt to lay the groundwork for a dynasty in his calculations.

As a fan, I want the team to to the best they can contruct a team that can contend for years to come. As I see it, in order to do that, they have to fashion a deep roster of above average talent.

Roy is our best player - but he is not Jordan that will carry this team on his back for years to come. Oden is not Shaq. LaMarcus is not Duncan. We need them ALL, plus several other good players that will need to get paid. If we can't manage that because we overpay, we will have a thin team that has a hard time winning it all.

Imagine our last Finals team without Buck Williams because we paid too much to Porter and Kersey to be able to afford him. There won't be a $100 million dollar payroll again. So, we have to pick and choose. If we start handing out monster contracts, who goes? LaMarcus? Oden? Batum? Who?

I want Roy to tell us who.

And, if one of you smarty pants says, "that isn't for Roy to decide, he only should try as hard as possible to get as much money as he possibly can", I say:

Yes, then if that is the case, then that makes Roy - just another jock. No better. No worse. The tarnish starts. He is nothing "special" among the population of star athletes. And that (money being top priority) attacks the notion of Roy as the "leader". What kind of example of a team building leader is he setting?

 

[hasoos]

I'll tell you what. How about when Roy walks, and he isn't here carrying this team anymore, you come back and revisit this subject. Because when he leaves, and the team drops to 20 wins a year again, and Nate bails, then we will see who gives a shit about how he handled contract negotiations.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'll tell you what. How about when Roy walks, and he isn't here carrying this team anymore, you come back and revisit this subject. Because when he leaves, and the team drops to 20 wins a year again, and Nate bails, then we will see who gives a shit about how he handled contract negotiations.

You're pretty sure it's when and not if?

 

[Masbee]

I'll tell you what. How about when Roy walks, and he isn't here carrying this team anymore, you come back and revisit this subject. Because when he leaves, and the team drops to 20 wins a year again, and Nate bails, then we will see who gives a shit about how he handled contract negotiations.

I assume you are responding to my post. You didn't say.

Name more than one top 10 player that has "walked" in the last few years.

More importantly, you didn't even respond to the point of my post. Your comment is the equivalent of "scoreboard".

My post was about Roy having a reputation of being different. Special. That rep is taking a hit. If all you want is a mercenary ala Kobe Bryant - you may get your wish.

I never said I wanted the negotiations to be this way, or that I support the management without reservation, or that I wanted Roy to leave, or that I thought Roy shouldn't be paid a whole lot of money for what he has done and will hopefully do.

By the way, your claim that Roy leaving would crater the team into 20 wins is completely ridiculous. So much so, that I now question why I even responded.

 

[maxiep]

I'll tell you what. How about when Roy walks, and he isn't here carrying this team anymore, you come back and revisit this subject. Because when he leaves, and the team drops to 20 wins a year again, and Nate bails, then we will see who gives a shit about how he handled contract negotiations.

If so, we recovered after Walton and we recovered after Drexler. The team is bigger than one player. If he forces his way off this team--something I don't believe is even in the realm of possibility--then he's not the person I thought he was.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I dont blame Roy for wanting to get what he's worth, and its easy for me to say because its not my money, but I was hoping Roy would be like Tom Brady. Except a little bit smaller of a contract in order to help the organization surround him with players so they can win.

 

[PapaG]

What other recourse does Roy have to get a 5th year if not put pressure on the organization? Wait day after day asking for it until the team suddenly budges? Sit by and watch as an overrated SF get a 5 year offer and wined and dined, only to get an even better deal from Toronto. Watch Bargnani get a 5 year contract extension while he is only offered 4 years?

I normally like Jaynes' takes, but this one is questionable considering things are clearly at an impasse 2 weeks after a deal could have at least been verbally agreed to by both parties, and officially agreed to 1 week ago.

 

[PapaG]

So it's not that the Blazers won't give him a 5 yr contract, it's that he wants a player option on the 5th year? That makes more sense than what was originally reported.

The team is only offering 4 years; Roy wants 5 with a player option initially, maybe 5 guaranteed now.

 

[PapaG]

If so, we recovered after Walton and we recovered after Drexler. The team is bigger than one player. If he forces his way off this team--something I don't believe is even in the realm of possibility--then he's not the person I thought he was.

I'm sure he's really worried about that at this point. /sar

It's just like Portland fans to turn on the guy who is the only reason the Blazers are relevant at this point.

 

[Erroneous Subterfuge]

I'm sure he's really worried about that at this point. /sar

It's just like Portland fans to turn on the guy who is the only reason the Blazers are relevant at this point.

You're talking about Pritchard right? The guy that made the draft-day trade that landed Roy, Lamarcus, etc... Yet a few have decided to turn on him lately... weird.

 

[PapaG]

You're talking about Pritchard right? The guy that made the draft-day trade that landed Roy, Lamarcus, etc... Yet a few have decided to turn on him lately... weird.

I haven't turned on Pritichard other than to say he did whiff on Hedo (which I am happy for, BTW) and that his golden image is tarnished in a thus-frustrating summer. I really liked his draft, and the very early returns say the two 2nd-round PFs at least are not stiffs. This Roy situation has Vulcan written all over it, though. I have to believe that Pritchard would sign Roy to a max extension yesterday, and part of me thinks that he's actually surprised at how things are taking shape in terms of the Roy talks.