Why Lauri Will Be Here a While - Renegotiate and Extend

[Handlogten's Heros]

Look... I think we should obviously keep the guy. I think he is pretty obviously happy here and would like to stay. But this is just going to focus on the numbers and the opportunity he has with us next offseason that he won't have anywhere else. Just the numbers... Want everyone to remember when they are patting the FO on the back for such an innovative idea that you heard it here first.

Next offseason Lauri is eligible to sign a renegotiate and extend contract. To do this we will need about 23M in cap space.... which should be no issue. The way this works is we simply agree on an extension and instead of 18M his final year he can go up to the max of $40M-ish... and then the other contract years are build on that year. We can add up to 4 years.

So next offseason Lauri has two doors he can choose from:

Door #1 play out the year for 18M... risk the big payday because he is so anxious to get out... also risks us trading him to a less desirable situation.

Door #2 - Sign a renegotiate and extend agreement. Jazz can offer what would amount to a 5/223M contract at that time. They don't have to go that high but that is what they can offer. We have the right to negotiate this exclusively any time during the year next year and it essentially gives him a 22M bonus check the first year.

Lauri will have made roughly $60M at the time we can present him with a 200M+ contract extension. If we offer it only a moron would turn it down... sorry to be so blunt... he'd have to be an idiot or act completely irrationally. Thus the Jazz are in the driver seat with regard to Lauri and the partnership is likely to continue for many years... even if the next 20 games goes poorly. So calm them boobies and learn to get along with our Finnish neighbors...we are all going to be on this ride for a while.

 

[Bawse Dawg]

I feel extremely confident that Lauri is here long term to be a pillar of the next iteration of this team.

The arguments I read against it, mostly in game threads after a loss, seem hilariously bad.

 

[KqWIN]

It totally makes sense, but I'm not going to jinx anything especially when remembering the last time a renegotiation and extend seemed to make perfect sense.

The idea that these 20 games are going to make Lauri leave is pretty dumb tbh.....what will matter is the outlook of the franchise when he puts pen to paper. It's not going to mean a damn thing if the Jazz go 0-20.

 

[infection]

Bro you’re a message board guy. This is above your pay grade. They know these things. They’re writing it off. The FO has been planning this since the 2002 Winter Olympics.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I feel extremely confident that Lauri is here long term to be a pillar of the next iteration of this team.

The arguments I read against it, mostly in game threads after a loss, seem hilariously bad.

Its pretty obvious he's happy here and when you understand the finances of it all it makes it more obvious he will likely be here.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Bro you’re a message board guy. This is above your pay grade. They know these things. They’re writing it off. The FO has been planning this since the 2002 Winter Olympics.

I just want everyone to remember this thread in 12 months when the local media starts writing these articles. I'm just an armchair GM so what do I know.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

It totally makes sense, but I'm not going to jinx anything especially when remembering the last time a renegotiation and extend seemed to make perfect sense.

The idea that these 20 games are going to make Lauri leave is pretty dumb tbh.....what will matter is the outlook of the franchise when he puts pen to paper. It's not going to mean a damn thing if the Jazz go 0-20.

Yeah Hill was a moron (and kind of an ******* too) though... so that is part of the argument here. Hill hired a first time agent to negotiate his most important deal and he totally botched it costing himself tens of millions. That's moron behavior. I feel comfortable that Lauri is in fact... not a moron.

 

[Swuul]

Lauri has said countless times money is not the reason he plays basketball. He has also stated already in 2019 he has made more money than he is ever going to spend. I understand very well the thought of having "enough" money is a totally alien concept for americans, and that of course Lauri will take what he thinks he deserves, but talking about the "big payday" being *the* deciding factor is laughably hilarious.

Lauri loves being in Utah and play for the Jazz. He will make his best to see the team succeed. When the time comes to decide where he continues his career, the first thing he considers is to stay with Jazz, but not if Jazz has decided to go on tanking with no hope of better when Lauri still is in his prime. No amount of money Jazz could or would to offer at that point would matter anything, only whether he considers Jazz are for real competing.

This season is a lost cause; if Jazz would make it to the play-offs, I am going to be absolutely blown off (and I bet I wouldn't be the only one). Next season seems like a lost cause too, even though the organisation will give a green light for the team to fight their butts off to get to the play-offs; it just ain't gonna happen with majority of the team being rookies and sophomores. I bet Lauri understands that very well, and is ready for that, but if the team during summer 2025 still does not make any moves to get together a winning team, it would devour the morale of anybody.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Lauri has said countless times money is not the reason he plays basketball. He has also stated already in 2019 he has made more money than he is ever going to spend. I understand very well the thought of having "enough" money is a totally alien concept for americans, and that of course Lauri will take what he thinks he deserves, but talking about the "big payday" being *the* deciding factor is laughably hilarious.

Please tell me the guys that will state the most important thing to them is the money... Everyone says the most important thing is winning and basketball. It may be enough money for Lauri but I promise you there is a lot of good he can do for others with that dough... even if he doesn't want it for himself.

Lauri loves being in Utah and play for the Jazz. He will make his best to see the team succeed. When the time comes to decide where he continues his career, the first thing he considers is to stay with Jazz, but not if Jazz has decided to go on tanking with no hope of better when Lauri still is in his prime. No amount of money Jazz could or would to offer at that point would matter anything, only whether he considers Jazz are for real competing.

This season is a lost cause; if Jazz would make it to the play-offs, I am going to be absolutely blown off (and I bet I wouldn't be the only one). Next season seems like a lost cause too, even though the organisation will give a green light for the team to fight their butts off to get to the play-offs; it just ain't gonna happen with majority of the team being rookies and sophomores. I bet Lauri understands that very well, and is ready for that, but if the team during summer 2025 still does not make any moves to get together a winning team, it would devour the morale of anybody.

The tank only lasts 20 games... so he will see where we are and sign up for more. The money is not the "only" thing, but the fact that we can offer the money (which is also a sign of respect) an he is content here... it will be a no brainer. It won't just be money... its respect, stability, and as good of a situation as he can find elsewhere.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Bro you’re a message board guy. This is above your pay grade. They know these things. They’re writing it off. The FO has been planning this since the 2002 Winter Olympics.

You don't even know what a write off is.

 

[infection]

Please tell me the guys that will state the most important thing to them is the money... Everyone says the most important thing is winning and basketball. It may be enough money for Lauri but I promise you there is a lot of good he can do for others with that dough... even if he doesn't want it for himself.





The tank only lasts 20 games... so he will see where we are and sign up for more. The money is not the "only" thing, but the fact that we can offer the money (which is also a sign of respect) an he is content here... it will be a no brainer. It won't just be money... its respect, stability, and as good of a situation as he can find elsewhere.

Locking up the money long-term so he can “focus on basketball.”

 

[infection]

You don't even know what a write off is.

I saw we were down 19 to OKC at the half and that Lauri wasn’t playing and I knew the tank was on. It not only ushered in the great and dreadful day of the tank but it also brought back Numberica.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I saw we were down 19 to OKC at the half and that Lauri wasn’t playing and I knew the tank was on. It not only ushered in the great and dreadful day of the tank but it also brought back Numberica.

A terrible day for all people that love pride more than reason.

 

[infection]

A terrible day for all people that love pride more than reason.

It is both great and dreadful.

 

[LogGrad98]

Please tell me the guys that will state the most important thing to them is the money... Everyone says the most important thing is winning and basketball. It may be enough money for Lauri but I promise you there is a lot of good he can do for others with that dough... even if he doesn't want it for himself.





The tank only lasts 20 games... so he will see where we are and sign up for more. The money is not the "only" thing, but the fact that we can offer the money (which is also a sign of respect) an he is content here... it will be a no brainer. It won't just be money... its respect, stability, and as good of a situation as he can find elsewhere.

Yeah we long ago passed the point that money is the big driver. If a player can get 36 mill per year in a winning situation vs 40 mill in a crappy one they are likely to take the 36 mill, as that 4 mill isn't enough to move the needle. The money is so ridiculous that teams cannot compete anymore on the size of the contract, so players will go where they want because they recognize that realistically the difference between a 130 mill contract and a 140 million one is trivial. Once they get to that level of money the situation they are in becomes a bigger driver, so they chase rings.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Yeah we long ago passed the point that money is the big driver. If a player can get 36 mill per year in a winning situation vs 40 mill in a crappy one they are likely to take the 36 mill, as that 4 mill isn't enough to move the needle. The money is so ridiculous that teams cannot compete anymore on the size of the contract, so players will go where they want because they recognize that realistically the difference between a 130 mill contract and a 140 million one is trivial. Once they get to that level of money the situation they are in becomes a bigger driver, so they chase rings.

Yes... but the delta between 18M and 200M+ is enough to drive decisions. More guys take 100% of the money they could earn then work their way to competitive situations than dudes taking pay cuts.

The money is not trivial... it might be viewed as secondary, but we have a chance for him to be a featured guy on a winner. It will be hard for him to find a place better that lines up with the money, team, etc.

I also think the fact he has young children means stability would be important and Utah is a great market for dudes with families. He's not chasing limelight in some big city imo.

 

[LogGrad98]

Yes... but the delta between 18M and 200M+ is enough to drive decisions. More guys take 100% of the money they could earn then work their way to competitive situations than dudes taking pay cuts.

The money is not trivial... it might be viewed as secondary, but we have a chance for him to be a featured guy on a winner. It will be hard for him to find a place better that lines up with the money, team, etc.

I also think the fact he has young children means stability would be important and Utah is a great market for dudes with families. He's not chasing limelight in some big city imo.

That is the point. That he is in a good situation so the money isn't as important considering that it is close enough, and big enough to not make that much of a difference in the decision. I think he will see this as his best shot at making something lasting and he will stick around, especially with DA running the show. The only concern I have is that we attempt to low-ball him, which could drive a wedge like it did with Hayward when we let the market set his rate instead of just giving him a full extension.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

That is the point. That he is in a good situation so the money isn't as important considering that it is close enough, and big enough to not make that much of a difference in the decision. I think he will see this as his best shot at making something lasting and he will stick around, especially with DA running the show. The only concern I have is that we attempt to low-ball him, which could drive a wedge like it did with Hayward when we let the market set his rate instead of just giving him a full extension.

And I think the best scenario is we give him $10M-15M of space and then the full 150% raise the following year to bring him to the max. I think there is middle ground there and it will give us some room to add around him and will give him a gold star for helping out the team.

I think it is more likely we screw it up by getting cheap than he will by turning down something fair. So I do agree there.

 

[dipship31]

You don't even know what a write off is.

.....do you?

 

[HermanG]

I personally think Lauri will not move unless traded.

Four reasons in no particular order:
- He is a small city kid and that is also reflected in his personality (his home town of Jyväskylä has 145k residents). SLC seems a fit.
- He has two kids of his own, and his family is very important to him. Likely doesnt want to unroot his familty to chase glory. His older kid is gonna start school during this contract.
- He is loyal and committed to the club. That wont change in an instance, especially since we are likely gonna have stability in the organisation (Hardy, DA, Zanik... all likely gonna be here for a long time)
- Will Hardy (as long as he is the coach) is someone Lauri seems to enjoy playing for a lot, and he also helped unlock Lauri and has helped him grow a lot.