Speaking of the Nuggets, their chances of landing Gilbert Arenas may have taken a hit. Insider reported Monday the Warriors were fliriting with picking Ndudi Ebi, a raw high school power forward, with the 11th pick.
We'll pause why you all say, "Huh?" Well, Skip Bayless of the San Jose Mercury News might have just filled in the blanks.
Ebi and Arenas are represented by the same agent, Dan Fegan. Could Fegan arrange to have Arenas sign for less in Golden State now if the Warriors promise to give Ebi some love at 11 and max-out Arenas in a new deal in two years?
It might not have to be 11, either. There's talk the Hawks and Warriors are talking about a swap that would send the No. 11 to the Hawks for the No. 21 and a future first-round pick. The Hawks would then select Louisville's Reece Gaines at 11, and the Warriors would take Ebi at 21.
Fegan has a history with the Warriors. He also represents Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy. But is he that powerful?
Arenas likely would be turning down at least $3 million a year over the next two years to re-sign with the Warriors rather than seek his fortune with the Nuggets. The most the Warriors can offer is the mid-level exception, which is supposed to start at around $4.9 million next year. The Nuggets likely would offer a deal starting at around $8 million a year. Because Arenas is a restricted free agent, to re-sign with his team it has to be at least a three-year deal with a player opt-out after year two.
That's a big risk. Injuries, a bad season or two and the possibility of the NBA finding out about the under the table agreement could come back to haunt Arenas and the Warriors. Just ask Joe Smith and the T-Wolves. And while Fegan and the Warriors would never be stupid enough to actually put something in writing, that could mean trouble down the road. Just ask Rashard Lewis, who felt the Sonics reneged on a max-out promise two seasons ago.
But the Warriors would be loathe to screw Fegan, considering he represents so many of their players. I'm not sure how realistic the scenario is, but it certainly makes sense at one level.
We'll pause why you all say, "Huh?" Well, Skip Bayless of the San Jose Mercury News might have just filled in the blanks.
Ebi and Arenas are represented by the same agent, Dan Fegan. Could Fegan arrange to have Arenas sign for less in Golden State now if the Warriors promise to give Ebi some love at 11 and max-out Arenas in a new deal in two years?
It might not have to be 11, either. There's talk the Hawks and Warriors are talking about a swap that would send the No. 11 to the Hawks for the No. 21 and a future first-round pick. The Hawks would then select Louisville's Reece Gaines at 11, and the Warriors would take Ebi at 21.
Fegan has a history with the Warriors. He also represents Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy. But is he that powerful?
Arenas likely would be turning down at least $3 million a year over the next two years to re-sign with the Warriors rather than seek his fortune with the Nuggets. The most the Warriors can offer is the mid-level exception, which is supposed to start at around $4.9 million next year. The Nuggets likely would offer a deal starting at around $8 million a year. Because Arenas is a restricted free agent, to re-sign with his team it has to be at least a three-year deal with a player opt-out after year two.
That's a big risk. Injuries, a bad season or two and the possibility of the NBA finding out about the under the table agreement could come back to haunt Arenas and the Warriors. Just ask Joe Smith and the T-Wolves. And while Fegan and the Warriors would never be stupid enough to actually put something in writing, that could mean trouble down the road. Just ask Rashard Lewis, who felt the Sonics reneged on a max-out promise two seasons ago.
But the Warriors would be loathe to screw Fegan, considering he represents so many of their players. I'm not sure how realistic the scenario is, but it certainly makes sense at one level.
