Jason Maxiell has some decisions to make

by Matt Watson on Sep 18, 2008 4:27 AM EDT

As Chris McCosky of the Detroit News points out, Jason Maxiell has until the end of training camp (Oct. 31) to decide if he wants to sign an extension or test the waters next year as a restricted free agent:

The Pistons have offered Maxiell a three-year extension worth approximately $15 million. Should he leave that contract on the table, he would play out the final year of his contract this season (earning $1.87 million) and become a restricted free agent -- which means the Pistons could match any contract offer to Maxiell.

Don't be surprised if Maxiell waits. Even if he signs now, he won't actually see a raise until next season (2009-10), and considering there's a chance he'll boost his exposure around the league by starting, he could theoretically play well enough to command the full mid-level next summer, especially considering Rasheed Wallace's contract is up.

On the other hand, teams rarely bother negotiating with restricted free agents these days -- just ask Ben Gordon or Josh Childress -- so "testing the market" doesn't offer quite as much leverage as it sounds. Stay tuned.

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Great Dumars quote regarding whether some of the vets will have bruised egos about being put on the trading block and whether things need to be patched up with them:

“There’s nothing to patch up,” Dumars said. “I’m the one who was upset, so who do I need to patch things up with?”

by Quick Darshan on Sep 18, 2008 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

That is a good quote.

Maxiell has little leverage as a restricted since his qualifying offer will be so small as a late draft pick. That’s the pickle that Josh Smith was in.

The one consideration is that there will be a lot of cash on hand in 2010. If he wants to make $9 million per year playing for Memphis, he might have the opportunity.

by kevin s. on Sep 18, 2008 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

Ronny Turiaf’s new contract with GS is for 4 years at

$4,500,000

$4,140,000

$4,000,000

$4,360,000

I consider the two players comparable with Maxiell being slightly better. I think that next to the contract that Turiaf got that the offer of $5 million a year that we are making Maxiell is reasonable.

by Mike on Sep 18, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions