JohnnyClutch
Well-Known Member
Actually, no. Drafted 1st-rounders have no bargaining power. Salaries are slotted and raises are controlled by the CBA.
So looking into the magic crystal ball, KOC just KNEW what 29 other GM's did not: that Wesley Matthews would be that one in a million player who goes from undrafted player to starter in half a season.
Undrafted players...if they make a team, usually don't have their contracts even guaranteed until the deadline. Wes just kept getting better as the season progressed. And kudos to him for the HUGE contract. Outside of Portland, you'll find 29 GM's who thought the kind of money Wesley got was absurd. Name the last NBA player to do what Wes did? There are none. No one has ever gone undrafted, then signed a contract for that amount of money the next offseason.
In hindsight, given Utah's financial constraints, had the Jazz matched the offer for Matthews, another player would have needed to be dumped. And in that situation, it may have required giving UP a pick (just like moving Hayward's salary required Maynor to be included). I like Matthews; I wish he were still on the Jazz. But I'm solidly behind KOC and Greg for not awarding a 1/2 season starter that kind of a contract.
So how does us demanding a 2 year TEAM option hurt us in any way, shape or form? Give him 1 year guaranteed, and if he pans out, we get him for 2 more years. If he doesn't, it's sianara baby. Simple.
You don't think that ANY undrafted rookie wouldn't jump at the chance? They have no bargaining power.