Meyers Leonard has started 42 of the Heat's 42 games this year. I think he's played more PF than C, and though he starts, he plays "reserve" type minutes (about 20 a game). But he's clearly been an important rotation player for a very good team.
Meyers Leonard has started 42 of the Heat's 42 games this year. I think he's played more PF than C, and though he starts, he plays "reserve" type minutes (about 20 a game). But he's clearly been an important rotation player for a very good team.
NAOS
Well-Known Member
Copy that.
I’ve watched a few Heat games this year. I guess I didn’t notice Leonard was starting because he disappears pretty easily and frequently (something JFC would need to realize on day 1, if he were acquired).
Royce will still be good, surprised me as well. Royce must have wanted to stay quite a bit and get this extension wrapped up, cause I think the open market would have gotten him more.
It's tough. Royce has certainly made money, but not really made money. He's got probably at least $30M guaranteed in the deal. That's huge. Sure, maybe he could have squeezed an extra $10M by waiting, but is it worth risking a career-ending injury and perhaps getting nothing, all so you could have $40M rather than $30? If I were him I would take the safe money.
Shad
Well-Known Member
I'm sure the majority of us on this site would be hella happy with $30 million in 3 years sir. I don't think you need to even ask that
That's the thing, though. Royce is closer to us than he is to some of these other guys who have already hit their payday. Saying wait until summer so you can squeeze a few million more out would be insane if you've never been paid.
Handlogten's Heros
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2019 Award Winner
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Yeah and he will make more side cash here than somewhere else... being DM's bruh has some perks I'm guessing. He might also get a couple years after this deal as a solid vet... He's likely still good enough to play, but even if he isn't he can get the Udonis Haslem or James Jones minimum deal for a couple years. I think there is value for him in this market that there isn't elsewhere.
Yeah thats a good point, also think the dude is really happy playing for us, I glad for the dude, he plays hard and with heart all the time. I thought he was one of the few shinning lights of last years playoff series vs the Rockets, never had his head down even when we were well beat and played with intensity all series.
He's only gonna be 30 at the end of this deal, i can't see him not working on and improving his game even further. I think it was Royce who dropped the great line during media day, "Hard work remains undefeated" I like that line and I hate that sort of motivational crap.
Handlogten's Heros
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2019 Award Winner
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They can only go down by 8% per year... so only so much you can do. I think next year is our biggest luxury tax concern year, but haven't done all the number crunching. If they are going to use the MLE and re-sign JC then having a declining contract would help push them into the tax next year.
The cap is still rising slightly, so between that and Conley's deal coming off the books I think we are good on the tax for a year or two.
I think it's been pretty obvious to all of us that Royce just hasn't been the same since signing his extension. I'm not very concerned about his offense because we have plenty of scoring and shooting but defense is another story. With a roster that lacks quality perimeter defenders, his defense is desperately needed.
That missed Royce dunk on the Rudy break hurt so much
Thee Idiotic Minivan K
Well-Known Member
The shift in momentum was astronomical