The Denver Nuggets had a busy off-season, which including trading for Andre Iguodala, re-signing JaVale McGee, and there’s only one thing that’s left to do on the Nuggets’ front office short list: extending Ty Lawson.
Ty Lawson and Masai Ujiri have been considerably honest with media about the extension; Lawson has admitted he wants to stay in Denver, and Masai has addressed his concerns.
On Monday, Hoopsworld.com reported that the Denver Nuggets offer to Ty Lawson was in the ballpark of a four-year $44 million deal, which seems fair considering he hasn’t stepped up to fully take on that leadership role that George Karl wants him to take.
With that being said, if a deal is not reached by October 31st, Lawson will enter free agency in 2013, where he is one of the top free agents (restricted) and could easily a pull a lucrative $13 million per year contract. Denver could easily solve the problem right now by adding — at least — an extra million dollars per year, but is that something Lawson should feel “insulted” over as written by a B/R columnist (B/R makes me want to uncontrollably vomit).
First, let’s acknowledge that Ty Lawson has been a champion during this summer and very intelligent as well because he has not once turned into a ‘diva’ and threw his team under the bus. He’s been positive about the extension process and has never wanted to alienate the fanbase throughout the attention on the matter.
“I’m still confident. My agent is working with Masai Ujiri and Josh Kroenke so I feel like in the next couple of weeks something will get done. We’ll see.” – Ty Lawson
The original B/R columnist stated that Lawson should feel insulted because JaVale McGee — who has not “proven” anything — received the same offer, but their argument is heavily flawed. Traditionally, big men are overpaid. Point blank. Is JaVale McGee “worth” $44 million? Probably not, but that’s not what the number represents; JaVale’s contract represents expectations they have for him, as well as his upside.
Again, the article failed to realize that big men like JaVale McGee are overpaid.
Also, a reason Lawson shouldn’t and probably doesn’t feel slighted is that he understands he still has a bit to prove to Denver in terms of leading consistently. Both parties have acknowledged this, as well as, Denver understanding Ty Lawson is pivotal to their system.
With that being said, outside of the leadership perspective, Ty Lawson has proved his value to the Nuggets. He has improved every season and last year he averaged 16.4 points and 6.6 assists per game. He seemed to gravitate toward ‘aggressive Ty’ last year and when he did….HOLY HELL!
Lawson is fast and furious, attacks the basket with conscience, cuts defenses like swiss cheese, and can hit a perimeter shot like he’s Steve Novak.
While $13 million a season may sound steep for Lawson, it’s not that far off from the $11 million a year that has been reported. I believe the end result will be the two parties agreeing to $12-$12.5 million a year and will end this asinine “he should feel insulted” rhetoric from sites looking for page views.
At the end of the day, Lawson and Denver’s front office aren’t far off and should come to an agreement by Halloween that satisfies both parties.
Then, it’s back to watching the run-and-gun Nuggets take on the league with their athleticism and acrobatics.
[...] including the Nuggets, to see him as elite. In fact, apparently their first contract offer was a four year $44 million deal that Lawson [...]
[...] including the Nuggets, to see him as elite. In fact, apparently their first contract offer was a four year $44 million deal that Lawson [...]