You could make an argument that he wants to get paid, and it’s true. You could make an argument that he wants to start and finish, and it’s true. But there are a few other variables in the equation.
First, I don’t know that anyone else’s offer would be drastically higher than ours would be. If it is, it’s coming from a desperate team. He’s been making about $12M a year in the previous 3 years, and making about $13.5M now, so it’s not like he’s a guy who has yet to get paid. Now you look and see this is his sixth year in the league and previously had spent less than half a year on a playoff team. He’s been the guy putting up big numbers on lottery teams before. There’s no glory in that. So I don’t think we’re losing him to a bottom feeder willing to open up the checkbook for $18M or so. Then you’d have to look at what other playoff teams are willing to offer him a starting role and enough money. I haven’t honestly surveyed that but I’d imagine there aren’t a ton (that are offering a genuine starting spot).
I think it boils down to whether he feels comfortable here and whether he buys in to a 6th man role. If he’s averaging as many points and touches as a sixth man as he got on a crappy team as a starter, then there’s a lot more glory in his current position as he can be a guy winning sixth man of the year and building that resume. Starting on a lottery team won’t bring any recognition. You sell him on getting the Lou Williams status. The only difference is he won’t be closing as much as Lou.
Anyway, outside of a desperate lottery team, I think the money will likely be in a constricted range between the different offers. I think somewhere between $12-15/yr. The question is if we can provide the best environment. I think there’s some positive evidence for that.
If you could extend him, then great.
