Semi-OT: Larry Sanders' buyout

[BrianFromWA]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12342186/larry-sanders-milwaukee-bucks-close-buyout-agreement

The Milwaukee Bucks are nearing an agreement on a buyout with big man Larry Sanders, league sources told ESPN.
The Bucks and Sanders, according to sources, are on course to officially part ways by week's end. Sanders likely will receive nearly half of the $33 million left on his contract after this season spread out over the next several years via the league's stretch provision.

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

...
Sanders will be eligible to play in the playoffs for another other team once he's formally waived -- because he'll become a free agent before March 1 -- but there have been no indications that Sanders is close to returning to the court from the personal issues that have plagued him.

Sanders is a pretty big risk (whether drugs, personal problems, etc.) but in going with the "one crazy per good team" rule, he would potentially provide a MUCH bigger impact than, say, Tayshaun Prince or Victor Claver.

 

[RR7]

Dude just gave up over 20 million dollars to walk away. Don't think he's helping anybody this season.

 

[HailBlazers]

Wish he wasn't such a nutcase. Guy can be really good.

 

[e_blazer]

And at the first practice Nic says, "Go up for a lob, Larry."

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Really need to know what the "personal issues" are before I'd be comfortable making any kind of recommendation. But, yeah, I've really liked him for a while.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but this was another guy that some wanted to trade LMA for.............

 

[Natebishop3]

I would sign him. He's the kind of low risk/high reward guy that we need. if he flops, oh well, but if he somehow jumpstarts his career...... could pay off big time.

 

[Boob-No-More]

It's tempting to sign him for the rest of the season as a short term rental and hope that the change of environment would motivate him, but...

The guy seems to prefer coasting through life on a few million a year over playing basketball for $15 million a year. Winning doesn't appear to be sufficient motivation as the Bucks are doing pretty well without him and would probably be a top 4 seed in the East if they had him playing at his full potential. So, why would he come here, or anywhere else, to play for a shit ton less than he could be making in Milwaukee if he as willing to honor his current contract?

So, long story short: No thanks. Not worth the roster spot.

BNM

 

[Boise Blazer]

On talent alone it would be great but I would go so far as to say that if he signs with someone else then that is complete bullshit. He basically said he didnt want to play bball anymore and thats why the Bucks were supposedly buying him out, so why would he want to sign with someone else? If he does you know there is more to the story.

 

[blue9]

Winning doesn't appear to be sufficient motivation as the Bucks are doing pretty well without him and would probably be a top 4 seed in the East if they had him playing at his full potential. So, why would he come here, or anywhere else, to play for a shit ton less than he could be making in Milwaukee if he as willing to honor his current contract?

Because sometimes a turn-around at the organizational level isn't enough to reignite interest when you've already mentally checked-out? There are certainly red flags surrounding him, but I agree with Nate that it's low-risk/high-reward...at a position we don't really need much help at (knock on wood).

 

[Strenuus]

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but this was another guy that some wanted to trade LMA for.............

I'm sure at the time they knew more than the coach and GM, as well.

 

[RR7]

I don't see how its a simple low risk move at all.

Do you sign him and then turn around and say sorry Joel, sorry Meyers, your minutes are going to this hot head because he was good at blocking shots two years ago?
I know teams can usually have one idiot. But I don't see how adding that one idiot with 30 games to go with decent players at his position isn't a risk.
On top of that, again, he gave up a ton of money. If he was interested in playing basketball at all right now, I don't think he'd be giving that money up.
He's someone I'd consider in the offseason, but that seems like a great opportunity to fracture a locker room in what could be a special season

 

[Boise Blazer]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source...to-nba-after-buyout-with-bucks-224813535.html

Sources: Larry Sanders has no immediate plans to return to NBA after buyout with Bucks

 

[Draco]

Would be a horrible signing, just like Rod Strickland

 

[H.C.]

Because sometimes a turn-around at the organizational level isn't enough to reignite interest when you've already mentally checked-out? There are certainly red flags surrounding him, but I agree with Nate that it's low-risk/high-reward...at a position we don't really need much help at (knock on wood).

Pacers thought it was a low risk/high reward when they signed Andrew Bynum. Turned out to be a high risk/no reward.

 

[Strenuus]

He's gonna have an awesome documentary in 10 years...

 

[blue9]

Pacers thought it was a low risk/high reward when they signed Andrew Bynum. Turned out to be a high risk/no reward.

Sounds they would have imploded without that signing. Maybe it didn't help things, but I don't think it's what kicked their legs out from under them either.

 

[riverman]

He's an artist someone said...now a millionaire and likes to smoke pot..yep, he probably does want to just walk away from the grind of basketball.

 

[riverman]

So much for that sports scholarship payback..

 

[Aussie Blazer!]

Maybe his like Royce White, but his fear is lots of money?

 

[riverman]

Maybe his like Royce White, but his fear is lots of money?

Starving artist syndrome or down and out in Milwaukee

 

[riverman]

These are the stories I wish Hunter Thompson was around to write about