Lillard to opt out adidas shoe deal, detonating bidding war with rivals

[PapaG]

Guys on Talkin' Ball were talking about the contract Rose sighed a few years ago when he was being pushed as the face of Adidas

The contract was 13 years for $185M. That's insane.

How the big stars don't take cuts in their NBA salaries to help bring in more players is beyond me. Big 3 in Miami did, but after that, not many.

Kobe Bryant could have taken the veteran minimum and had a ton of cap space to work with while being GM of the Lakers. Instead, he handcuffed his own team. Bryant is going to be a very well-paid TV guy after he's done. He's awesome right now on TV, and without any real training. I say that as a legitimate Kobe Hater.

LeBron James is also set for life. He could easily take a contending team's MLE, and still rake in hundreds of millions over the next 10 years from endorsements.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I hope he goes with Brand Jordan!

 

[3RA1N1AC]

I got a pair of these still, my favorite after jordan Vs

 

[1honestfan]

I hope to GOD he goes Nike... I want to be able to wear Lillard shoes at work!

Hmmmmmm, Do you work for nike in one of there stores or at there call center? My step-son works at Nike's call center and he can only wear Nike gear. Believe it or not but it's an unwritten rule of his employment that they strictly enforce.

 

[1honestfan]

If I am Blazer management, I am keeping a close eye on this transaction and how it plays out. If Lillard goes from Adidas to Nike for basically more money; can we expect the same type of thing to happen when Lillard's contract with the blazers come up?

I'm interested to see how this all plays out.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

3RA1N1AC - I had those shoes back in the day. Awesome!

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

If I am Blazer management, I am keeping a close eye on this transaction and how it plays out. If Lillard goes from Adidas to Nike for basically more money; can we expect the same type of thing to happen when Lillard's contract with the blazers come up?

I'm interested to see how this all plays out.

No. I think Lillard will give the Blazers a little bit of a discount to help build a championship team around him. Maybe he'll go after more shoe $$ to offset the contract $$. At least I hope that will be the case.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

If I am Blazer management, I am keeping a close eye on this transaction and how it plays out. If Lillard goes from Adidas to Nike for basically more money; can we expect the same type of thing to happen when Lillard's contract with the blazers come up?

I'm interested to see how this all plays out.

Since the Blazers can offer him more money than anyone else greed is a good thing.

 

[Natebishop3]

No. I think Lillard will give the Blazers a little bit of a discount to help build a championship team around him. Maybe he'll go after more shoe $$ to offset the contract $$. At least I hope that will be the case.

I don't think he will. This will be his first big contract. I don't think he's going to take less.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

Is Reebok still alive?

HCP - PLEASE change that pic!!!! I get grossed out every time I stumble across your messages

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Hmmmmmm, Do you work for nike in one of there stores or at there call center? My step-son works at Nike's call center and he can only wear Nike gear. Believe it or not but it's an unwritten rule of his employment that they strictly enforce.

Nike is very strict about this. You cannot walk around on their campus or even jog through their woods wearing competitors sports gear . . . shoes or clothes

 

[santeesioux]

He should go with one of these

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/forgotten-sneaker-brands-90s-mitre-spx-british-knights-la-gear-hi-tec

 

[The_Lillard_King]

He'd be just another dude at Nike. I think adidas will re-sign him.

Then he will just be another soccer player

 

[santeesioux]

We don't want him going back to Adidas though

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I don't think he will. This will be his first big contract. I don't think he's going to take less.

One of the cap experts in here discussed this briefly before the All-Star break but it probably bears repeating.

If Lillard meets certain criteria (like Named to the All-NBA first, second or third team two times or Voted an All-Star starter two times or Named regular-season MVP one time.) then he is eligible for the longer and bigger MAX which if he demands could hurt our cap situation just that much more. I call it the Derrick Rose provision (I believe he was the first to be eligible for it and take it).

The first two are probably most likely (and not extremely likely at all but still).

Edit: Here is an article on this: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/spor...rick-Rose-gets-rule-in-new-NBA-CBA/56188340/1

Edit: The longer extension isn't tied to the Derrick Rose rule. The rule is: Every team is allowed one designated player who can get a five-year maximum extension on his rookie contract. So that may or may not be Lillard.

Bottom line, Lillard should get paid but if he tries to milk out ever last penny out of us then it could hurt us a lot in building a team.

 

[blue9]

I doubt he'll leave money on the table. I WISH that he would, but it's a very rare player who leaves money on the table. The only player I can think of who has done it is Duncan. I don't really count LBJ/Bosh, since it was reported that they'd make more money in MIA due to FL tax rates.
But players who aren't TRULY max players would be far better served by taking a little less money so that the team can afford to build a better roster around them. The difference between making $80m and $100m is negligible (especially when you have additional endorsement contracts) - that extra $20m doesn't bump you into a better lifestyle. Take less money and you can have a better team, which benefits your "brand" because you're going deeper in the POs and maybe winning championships.

 

[maxiep]

If I am Blazer management, I am keeping a close eye on this transaction and how it plays out. If Lillard goes from Adidas to Nike for basically more money; can we expect the same type of thing to happen when Lillard's contract with the blazers come up?

I'm interested to see how this all plays out.

Shoes and teams are two different things.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Re-signing Lillard should be easy. He is an obvious max player who the Blazers can offer the most money too at the earliest time. Blazers will offer max amt at max yrs (no brainer) and Lillard will accept (no brainer)

 

[1honestfan]

Since the Blazers can offer him more money than anyone else greed is a good thing.

You are correct under the rules of the CBA but as we all know to well, that doesn't have any affect on endorsement deals nor other media related streams of potential revenue. Bigger market means bigger endorsement deals.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[1honestfan]

I don't think he will. This will be his first big contract. I don't think he's going to take less.

I think that Lillard has a strong sense that this is a business and he's going to treat it that way so for now, I have to agree with you. Blazer management (Even though they may deny it) has to be paying attention as how this plays out.

 

[1honestfan]

Nike is very strict about this. You cannot walk around on their campus or even jog through their woods wearing competitors sports gear . . . shoes or clothes

Yes, they are and so are their subcontractors.

 

[1honestfan]

One of the cap experts in here discussed this briefly before the All-Star break but it probably bears repeating.

If Lillard meets certain criteria (like Named to the All-NBA first, second or third team two times or Voted an All-Star starter two times or Named regular-season MVP one time.) then he is eligible for the longer and bigger MAX which if he demands could hurt our cap situation just that much more. I call it the Derrick Rose provision (I believe he was the first to be eligible for it and take it).

The first two are probably most likely (and not extremely likely at all but still).

Edit: Here is an article on this: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/spor...rick-Rose-gets-rule-in-new-NBA-CBA/56188340/1

Edit: The longer extension isn't tied to the Derrick Rose rule. The rule is: Every team is allowed one designated player who can get a five-year maximum extension on his rookie contract. So that may or may not be Lillard.

Bottom line, Lillard should get paid but if he tries to milk out ever last penny out of us then it could hurt us a lot in building a team.

Nice contribution.

I tried to read the CBA but then fell asleep multiple times in the process. LOL

I think I do remember (Now that you mentioned it) that their was something in the CBA about this.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think that Lillard has a strong sense that this is a business and he's going to treat it that way so for now, I have to agree with you. Blazer management (Even though they may deny it) has to be paying attention as how this plays out.

I know a lot of fans don't like to think this way, but these guys can't afford to turn down money. Brandon Roy got a max contract. Some people might argue that he never earned it. Some would argue that his body of work prior to the contract earned every penny. Either way, the guy was able to secure the future for his family because he was never going to get another big deal before he retired. Players don't want to think that they might have their careers cut short, but it happens. They need to make their money while they can, because the window can slam shut in an instant.

 

[1honestfan]

I know a lot of fans don't like to think this way, but these guys can't afford to turn down money. Brandon Roy got a max contract. Some people might argue that he never earned it. Some would argue that his body of work prior to the contract earned every penny. Either way, the guy was able to secure the future for his family because he was never going to get another big deal before he retired. Players don't want to think that they might have their careers cut short, but it happens. They need to make their money while they can, because the window can slam shut in an instant.

I think that what you are saying is fair.

I give credit to Lillard for staying 4 years in college and that speaks volumes to me but I do ponder if now that he's getting paid if he's going to do what ever he needs to do to maximize getting paid.

It's not really a concern, just an issue that is coming up that may or may not lead to a glimpse of the future when he goes to renegotiate with the Blazers.

 

[maxiep]

Lillard isn't going anywhere. We can pay him the most and he's becoming the face of the team. This ain't Cleveland, and he ain't heading to South Beach, Hermosa Beach or Howard Beach.

 

[Natebishop3]

Lillard isn't going anywhere. We can pay him the most and he's becoming the face of the team. This ain't Cleveland, and he ain't heading to South Beach, Hermosa Beach or Howard Beach.

That's not the issue.

Some people were saying they thought Dame would take less money to help the team, and I don't think that's the case. I think he's earned a max deal and he's going to get a max deal. There won't be a discount.

 

[maxiep]

That's not the issue.

Some people were saying they thought Dame would take less money to help the team, and I don't think that's the case. I think he's earned a max deal and he's going to get a max deal. There won't be a discount.

Of course not. Nor should there be.

And I understood the question as "He's opting out and leaving Adidas, might he leave us?"

 

[1honestfan]

That's not the issue.

Some people were saying they thought Dame would take less money to help the team, and I don't think that's the case. I think he's earned a max deal and he's going to get a max deal. There won't be a discount.

If Batum is getting 12 million a year? I think your statement's a fair one.

 

[1honestfan]

Of course not. Nor should there be.

And I understood the question as "He's opting out and leaving Adidas, might he leave us?"

You're spot on, maybe I should have stated in such fashion but I would like to put it into the context of "Would Damian opt out if he could get a similar deal with another team that the blazers could offer him if he could make more in endorsements?"

 

[cmeese47]

So much for that super loyalty he is always talking about. Then again having your entourage beat people up for you cannot be cheap, so get your money.