I like to talk about these open market bidding scenarios, i think they lead to very healthy conversation, cuz really what we're doing here is appraisals, so why beat around the bush ?.... Is that 500k number from the g-league really a fair # for players the quality of Kuminga or Jalen Green??
The more i think on it, the more im sure the answer to that question is actually (and obviously) no... I dont feel like there's any bit of 'counting chickens before they hatch' in that answer either, these players have achieved that status to command far beyond that salary right now, it's not a reflection/investment in 'potential'.... 500k is a low-ball number (for those 2 players specifically)... These players would do damage in pro leagues across the planet, like serious damage... These leagues do not have guards who can stand in front of Jalen Green.. Kuminga is really quite the menace in transition, he's a big strong athletic kid who plays with fire --- every game this kid plays everyones going at his neck the entire time.... which is how'd id be if they played in some pro league, cuz these are the type of kids the older players know can embarass them... Ive been saying for years the one-and-done rule is unjust, specifically for players of THIS quality..
but where "the rub" comes in is that there's a risk of injury/pulling out and hurting your potential earnings.... and tbh thats right where the low-ball # comes in, because these other pro teams bidding know that they could get a situation like LaMelo picking up and leaving after injury.. the thing is if you were in the shoes of Kuminga or Green, i think it's fair to say they'd expect to make upwards of $100MM in their careers, minimum, so the 500k 1 year thing is just a speedbump to them...
