PHILADELPHIA - Maurice Cheeks called it "a tough one."
Kyle Korver agreed, saying, "You've got to be careful."
The dilemma: Should NBA free agents avoid playing pickup or summer league basketball when they're not under contract?
That question came to light after Willie Green tore his left ACL and lateral meniscus cartilage while participating in a Detroit summer league after agreeing to - but not signing, due to a delay in enacting the league's new collective bargaining agreement - a long-term contract.
Green underwent surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss six to nine months. The best-case scenario would be that he returns after the all-star break.
"I would say that Willie's perspective is he came from the University of Detroit and got where he is by working hard," said Green's agent, Noah Croom, on Wednesday night. "His perspective is he's getting better [by playing]."
Like Green, Korver was an unsigned restricted free agent, and barely played any pickup ball, choosing to concentrate on shooting drills and lifting weights. Korver initially agreed to a six-year deal worth an estimated $25 million on Aug. 2, but that was amended to five years and $21 million after the NBA informed the Sixers that the new CBA stipulates no team can sign two-year players for more than five seasons.
"I did not play a lot of pickup before [finalizing the contract]," Korver said after Wednesday's first workout of rookie/free-agent camp at PCOM. "I got that advice from my agents, coaches and family.
"You've got to be careful. It's a fine line because you don't not work hard and sit back and wait for a call; you've got to do your thing. At the same time, it's a big deal."
Asked if he would recommend that free agents decline from playing pickup ball, Cheeks was unsure.
"That's a tough one," the Sixers coach said. "We always try and have guys be in shape for when they come to camps like these. It's unfortunate for him to get hurt at that particular time. He'll bounce back. I have no doubt he'll bounce back."
Croom said that calling the game in which Green got hurt a pickup game was "probably little bit of a disservice - it's not exactly like he went down to playground. This is an organized summer league in Detroit with referees."
The Sixers' $775,000 qualifying offer to Green is still on the table. Neither the Sixers nor agent Croom want him to sign that - the Sixers because Green can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and Croom and Green because they'd like the security of a multi-year contract (the first deal would have been for five years and $17 million).
Billy King declined comment on Green's situation Wednesday, other than to say that there is no timetable for working out an agreement with Croom. King said his statement Tuesday, in which he said, "We are exploring [contract] options with Willie," would stand until further notice.
Williams still unsigned
Second-round pick Louis Williams, a guard who came into the league right out of high school, is working out, although he's not signed. The holdup is that if the Sixers lock up Williams for more than two years, the salary must be counted against the mid-level exception. The Sixers used $3 million of the $5 million on Steven Hunter, and Williams' $389,000 in 2005-06 would be added to that number if the two sides agree to a third season.
King said he was close to finalizing a deal with Williams and expected it to happen in the next few days.
"He's got to get in a little better shape," Cheeks said of Williams. "That's what these things are for. Louis has to catch up to the pro game, but his ability is going to help him get there."
Free throws
Croom said Green and Phillies first baseman Jim Thome were doing therapy together Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala. Both were operated on by Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday. "He's champing at the bit," said Croom of Green. ... Andre Iguodala was expected to show up at the evening session, but didn't. Samuel Dalembert, Salmons and Ollie made an appearance at the second workout and scrimmaged at the end. ... Rookie/free-agent camp continues with two sessions today and ends with two more Friday.
칙스 감독이 그린과의 계약이 상당히 골치아픈가봅니다 .. 코버도 신중히 결정하라 ... 라고 옆에서 걱정하네요.. 그린의 사건으로..앞으로 아직 계약 완료되지 않은 선수는 썸머리그에 참가하길 피하는게 좋다는군요.. ㅋㅋ 그린의 에이전트는 그린의 상태는 좋아질거라 하는데.. 과연 100% 신뢰할지는 미지수군요..
필리에서 $775,000 만큼 그린에게 최대로 줄수있다고 하는데.. 저만큼 받는것은 무리고.. 원래는 5년간 17밀리언 계약을 제시했다는 군요.. 그린도 다년계약을 원하고 있으니.. 저기서 조금?? 깍이지 않을까요.. 루이윌 에게 3년이상 계약을 맺으면 mid-level exception에 걸린다고.. 2년계약 맺을듯.. 하고
첫댓글 대략 해석해 주실분...
-_-이런.ㅋ
칙스 감독이 그린과의 계약이 상당히 골치아픈가봅니다 .. 코버도 신중히 결정하라 ... 라고 옆에서 걱정하네요.. 그린의 사건으로..앞으로 아직 계약 완료되지 않은 선수는 썸머리그에 참가하길 피하는게 좋다는군요.. ㅋㅋ 그린의 에이전트는 그린의 상태는 좋아질거라 하는데.. 과연 100% 신뢰할지는 미지수군요..
이번에 새로운 규정으로 2년차 선수들은 최대 5년까지만 계약을 허용한다고 하네요.. 그래서 원래 필리에서 코버에게 6년짜리 25밀리언에 계약하려고 했는데.. 5년에 21밀리언.. 약간 이득인가요?? ㅋㅋ
필리에서 $775,000 만큼 그린에게 최대로 줄수있다고 하는데.. 저만큼 받는것은 무리고.. 원래는 5년간 17밀리언 계약을 제시했다는 군요.. 그린도 다년계약을 원하고 있으니.. 저기서 조금?? 깍이지 않을까요.. 루이윌 에게 3년이상 계약을 맺으면 mid-level exception에 걸린다고.. 2년계약 맺을듯.. 하고
루이윌이 하는만큼에 따라.. 프로리그에 들어올수 있다고 하는군요.. 그치만 그의 가능성이면 가능할거 같다고 하네요