Nets Readied Big Contract for Scola, But Rocket Decided to Stay Home
by Net Income on Jul 22, 2010 12:28 AM EDT
in 2010 Free Agency
96 comments
The Houston Chronicle reports Thursday the Nets had been prepared to offer Luis Scola $55 million over five years, including a big signing bonus, earlier this month, but the Rockets forward decided to accept the security of a smaller deal with Houston.
According to the Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen, "With indications that the New Jersey Nets had decided to chase Scola with a five-year, $55 million contract, heavily front-loaded and with a $9.5 million signing bonus, the Rockets offered a five-year, $47 million contract and Scola quickly accepted, rather than to wait for another offer or return to the Spanish League."
Scola was a restricted free agent and if the Nets had actually tendered an offer sheet, the Rockets would have had seven days to match the Nets' offer. The 6'9" Scola said this week he was wracked with anxiety while waiting for the contract. "I almost died. It was so stressful. If I didn’t die of a heart attack this week, I think I’ll never die."
Meanwhile, David Aldridge reports that the Nets also made a bid for the Lakers' 6'9" Josh Powell, but he's expected to sign with Atlanta in the next couple of days. The Bulls and Cavaliers also made bids.
- GM Morey won't concede Rockets a done deal - Jonathan Feigen - Houston Chronicle
- Hawks close to adding frontcourt depth in Josh Powell - David Aldridge - NBA.com
- Hot topic: NBA stars taking money while it's there - Al Iannazzone - The Record
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Wow, is the Nets the Plague?
The real story here is how much FAs DON’T want to join the Nets.
I’m beginning to think its not a NJ problem… That was a sweet 5yr deal (2yrs in NJ, 3 yrs in Brooklyn) and Scola would rather go play in the Spanish League????
Scola basically said to the Nets: don’t even bother offering this contract because if Houston doesn’t want me, I’m going back to Spain.
They never actually made the offer.
The rumor is that they were preparing to. Which is still dubious.
by Newark2Brooklyn on Jul 22, 2010 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions
You are in denial
The most likely scenario was this: Thorn called Scola’s agent and pitched this sweet deal, and Scola said don’t bother.
It is not a rumor
and you don’t understand the free agent process.
What happened is obvious:
The Nets and his agent were talking. The Nets told the agent the parameters of the offer. The agent to the Rockets and the Rockets gave the agent their offer which the agent then took to Scola.
The very same thing happened with Tyrus Thomas.
But are these Agents doing their job and encouraging their clients to take the best offer? Are they telling their clients that Nets are a Bad place to go to?
It would be kind of narrow minded for a Scola or TThomas not to wait a little longer and consider the Nets.
By essentially rejecting Proky and the Nets (and that includes Boozer and DLee), it IS justified to print that free agents don’t want to go to Nets and Proky.
And with these large offers apparently being discussed by Thorn, is he being hypocritical to say to hold onto cap space when he departed?
Or was Thorn just trying to get the other teams to waste their money and go further over the cap?
Troy Murphy’s $12 million expiring is looking good at this point.
Also agree..
Murphy’s not really the kind of player I like that much (I don’t care about the he’s from Jersey thing), but he can score a iltte and rebounds well. I think the Nets need an option that can score a little at the PF that isn’t Outlaw, who makes Murphy seem very rugged.
Also it’s great that Murph is on a large expiring – cause I have high hopes that beastly Favors bulldozes his way to a good amount of minues fast. Was watching a few minutes of SL (which is kind of joke) but he was a man-child amongst child-childs physically. Guy is going to be a monster physically (I hope).
Any idea if Murph is really avaiabe and what the Pacers are looking to get. Salary dump for 2nd picks enough? I’d hate to even give away Hump or even Ross, although I would. They’re like glue guys to some extent to me. They play tough when needed.
It is a rumor
No one other than Jonathan Feigen (a Houston-based reporter) is reporting that the Nets made him a $55 million offer.
All sources point back to this guy and his “indications.”
One reporter from a hometown reporting a player was given higher value but chose to return home (which is what Scola wanted to do anyway) isn’t exactly ironclad.
What you said may have happened, but your sources are not proof.
by Newark2Brooklyn on Jul 22, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
No plague
I have a feeling that by mid December a lot of these free agents are gonne regret not signing with us. The team in my opinion is coming together nicely. Sure we didn’t get the big free agents but think about this, those teams that did have much to live up to. We didn’t get Lebron, Wade, Bosh or Scola but we did get serviceable players (one that has championship experience) and really all we have to do this year is come out and play ball. Getting more than 12 wins this season isn’t a bad year. I also believe Favors is gonna turn a few heads. He will fill that hole at the 4 very well. Mark my word.
T. James
by Byrdsman13 on Jul 22, 2010 1:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
if the team's chances at the playoffs depend on Favors' development...
Not making the playoffs isn’t the end of the world.
We’d get another lottery pick and Favors would be more ready next year.
As long as they gradually get better and are in the playoffs hunt.
Not a new problem...
… AFAIK, Travis Outlaw is the only free agent from another team that the Nets have signed for more than midlevel exception.
Ever.
Months ago I was saying it’s more likely the Nets use the cap space to acquire a big salary player via trade, with Kirilenko being a possible target if the Jazz needed to shed salary to get away from the luxury tax (back in LT territory after losing Boozer and adding Al Jefferson), and the Nets couldn’t find a better fit (AK47 is an expiring, SF/PF defense glue guy, prior ties with Proky).
by fly75 on Jul 22, 2010 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Expiring deals...
… can be a hindrance, but also give you more flexibility in a trade than cap space since a team can take back 125% of the salary sent.
In example (cash and draft picks don’t count for trade balancing purposes, and let’s not get into the basketball talent equation since this would be a money driven transaction anyway), assuming the Nets traded Humphries for AK47 since there’s not enough cap space otherwise:
Kirilenko (17.8), TWill(2.2) and Ross(1.1) is enough salary to take back CP3 and Okafor(11.5).
Humphries, TWill, Ross and cap space is not.
Excellent point
I forgot all about the 125% rule vs. straight cap space.
No CP3
No CP3 for us. He would probably hurt more than he would help. With CP3 u have to insure that u have a nice backup plan. CP3 (like Wade in my opinion) get injured waaaaaaaaaay too much. They’re both great players in this league but I will pass on CP3.
T. James
by Byrdsman13 on Jul 22, 2010 1:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Also the big story is that the Nets Did not Believe that Favors
Is going to be an impact player in the next 3 years. At the very least they are thinking long term, or not at all.
"...where they don't play with a shot clock." - C. Sager
Well Scola would have 2 years left with not a lot of money owed, the contract would of been front loaded. He could of been moved after 3 years imo
Since the face been revealed the game got real
Sure, it may have been in their thoughts. But they obviously were not thinking, “Hey, in two years this guy is going to be a force!”
"...where they don't play with a shot clock." - C. Sager
by kv on Jul 22, 2010 2:29 AM EDT up reply actions
And you think that Favors, Scola and Brook are Championship contender Big Men. You need good DEFENSIVE big men to win a C. Scola is a very poor defender. Lopez is a slouch defender, and we have no idea what kind of defender Favors will be.
This Scola move was not a Championship move. It was a respectability move.
"...where they don't play with a shot clock." - C. Sager
I dont think the Nets said
3 years. I think that is a quote from fans on this board. In fact, I think Avery stated that his timetable is mid-season.
he did indeed
comparing his situation with KG when he was a rookie. Avery expects him to start mid season.
This sucks. Proky should give this Franchise a Complete Makeover
Rename the franchise ASAP, and move ASAP.
I’m a lifelong Jerseyan, but this is awful.
complete makeover?
LIke what? Move to a new arena? Build a newer one? Get a new owner? Get a new coach? Get a new GM? Dump bad assets?
Yes, we should scrap this rebuilding process...
…and start another one. It’s been almost 3 months and we still haven’t won a championship.
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 22, 2010 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Good free agents don’t seem to want to come to a losing team I guess. But backups looking to cash in and get more money than they would anywhere else are coming out of the woodwork. (Farmar/Outlaw/Petro) Who’s next?
Wow when did the Knicks become a "Good Team"?
LOL Did they make a championship or even PLAYoff run in 10 years? The Top free agents either chose to PLAY together or choose to stay put. I think the fact that we didn’t get any big names skews the whole view. No one signed with the Clippers, Toronto or Cleveland either…lol.
These New Star players aren’t worth the headaches their Me first, high maintenance acts will get tired quickly. There is only one ball in Play at a time and one championship a season.
With 3 “stars” on the team , will they all still get those wonderful stat stuffing, game changing "Star"calls?
The NETS are coming!
So what nobody wanted this guy except us
But what bothers me more is the Russian guy the knicks got going to them because they will contend faster? We will tear him apart.
And Scola is nobody
Ok so what move on
Paul milsap sholud join the nets. He would be a great addition with our young core.
by Marquise Johnson on Jul 22, 2010 6:50 AM EDT reply actions
I think this is a wake up call for Proky
on how much work needs to be done to attract free agents. So T Thomas, Scola, D Lee and Boozer all knew they had an opportunity to sign here and chose not to. Scola was going to get more money too.
The only way we’re going to get the players we want is via trade. And now all of the stars want to play with other stars, meaning if Brook doesn’t become a star this year it’ll be even harder. The bright side is that Favors has the potential to become our own superstar. Let’s hope so anyway..
Thats not accurate imo, we need to build through the draft. I don’t think the Knicks would of done a sign and trade with us IMO. A good team attracts free agents, so if we put a winning season or two together with Brooklyn and we will no problem getting FA’s. I believe they will take less money to play for the Brooklyn KGB’s when we put this team together.
Since the face been revealed the game got real
The good news is he hired a teacher as a coach.
Imagine if we had hired a superstar coach and then no superstars show up….yikes.
I also wonder how much this played into Rod’s thinking when he walked out the door – this is going to be hard better to walk off into the sunset or into a better short term situation?
You dont turn around perceptions
in a single off-season and the reality of a 12-70 season, the worst venue in the NBA, a history of horrible fan and owner support, etc. etc. is going to be with the Nets until they PROVE to players and their agents that things are going to be different.
Saying “It’s All New” sounds nice, but the competition can just as easily paint it as “It’s All Unproven”.
That's my point NI
The Nets, like the Clippers have a very bad perception. That’s why I thought the Blueprint billboard would be seen as a joke if we didn’t land any big FA’s. I know a lot of people didn’t want to overpay for FA’s and I’m OK with that too. But the Knicks overpayed for Amare to change their perception and now CP3 and Melo are in the conversation. The Knicks have a better fan base and get most of the media attention so they can create a buzz. The Nets will always have to try harder. This will be Proky’s challenge.
I never saw a discusson on it but..
To me the Nets franchise would have benefitted (and will hopefully benefit soon) not only from being successful, but being successful at the same time that the Knicks are successful (just not as successful LOL).
Nothing would be better than the Nets and Knicks both competing at a high level at the same time – and the Nets winning out of course. If the Knicks are good, the NYC metro area and the overall NBA marketing machine (ESPN et al) is into it – if the Nets are their crushing heads – they will get props.
Fact is, a few years ago when the Nets were good (best in east – probably a top 5 or 6 team overall really) the Knicks were horrible – NYC metro didn’t care about NBA, Nets caught some buzz but not as much.
I’m not a Knick hater. Been a Nets fan since 1983. I hope the Knicks improve while the Nets improve as I believe it only benefits the Nets franchise to beat out a good Knicks team.
But we have the best fan website, right?
Except we have a lot of intellectual dishonesty. Prove me wrong!
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 22, 2010 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions
You are right that this should be a wake up call for Proky.
As many of us were saying at the time, Proky should have been doing more than only interviewing the “big 3”.
He should have been showing interviewing the Plan B players, DLee and Boozer, right after meeting with LeBron.
It was reported that Avery Johnson was preparing to meet with them, but it was too late. Thorn was in NY the whole time and never even met with David Lee. Nets have themselves to blame, in part.
By not doing this, it was as though the Nets were saying that they really didn’t want Lee and Boozer.
If Nets were willing to go to 55/5 years for Scola, imagine how high Thorn would have gone to get Lee/Boozer.
We moved to slow but Scola for 5 years would have been terrible. The only way we are getting a PF is thru a trade. Thats it.
For now i am content with Hump starting and Slowly bringing on Favors. I think we undervalued Hump last year because he was fighting for time with Yi and seemed to try to hard to stay on the floor.
as some one said
People here think we can get CP3 and he would stay. We would be renting him for two years just to see him sign with NY.
It is what is. Maybe things would have changed had we over paid Amare but we didn’t and now the Amare signing looks all that better if it leads to Melo and CP3.
These players forging their own destiny. Can’t hate on them though.
by killa kadafi191 on Jul 22, 2010 7:42 AM EDT reply actions
yeah, Melo is going to give up $56 million
so he can sign a smaller contract with the Knicks next summer after a long lockout.
Exactly
The plans that some of these children have come up with are about to go up in smoke.
Paul needs to be traded to Minnesota, and put the kabosh on any more of these backdoor plans and deals these guys have been making.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jul 22, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt that either way I see him goingto the knicks
as I just read in Twitter CP3 did this to basically force a move to the Knicks.
Wow who would thought players would be forcing trades to get to NY. That Amare deal looking better and better.
by killa kadafi191 on Jul 22, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Same thing was said...
… when the Nets rented Jason Kidd for 2 years
different time
Kidd has said he wish he would have went to San Antonio these guys aren’t like the older players.
They all buddies and want to play with each other. Look to make it happen. Can’t be mad at them.
by killa kadafi191 on Jul 22, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
yea if the get CP3 yea
but hey how many people saw what’s happening in Miami coming.
Dudes are planning this out same way Bron wade and Bosh did.
don’t hate the playe, hate the game.
either way Amare is proving to be a good signing for the Knicks players now want to go there.
by killa kadafi191 on Jul 22, 2010 7:58 AM EDT reply actions
denver is worried he will
after seeing what his comrades did. birds of feather flock together. now you hear the three make a toast to a new big three at his wedding.
two weeks late CP3 list the knicks as a possible team?
come on the writing is on the wall.
People can be in denial but this is the way the NBA is going. players making their own way
by killa kadafi191 on Jul 22, 2010 8:01 AM EDT reply actions
There is NO WAY Melo is waiting a year
and losing quite possibly tens of millions of dollars. Reports out of Denver yesterday had him signing soon.
CP3 is not going to Knicks by himself (with only Amare)
CP3 wants to win now (or very soon). The list of destinations (Lakers, Orlando, etc) have all been deep in the play-offs, with exception of the Knicks. Now, why would CP3 ask for the Knicks unless he knows something (like Melo pushing to join).
thank you
3pt chucker said it best.
Why would he name the Knicks a team that has missed out on the playoffs while the others are contenders.
they have this planned the same way Lebron Wade and Bosh did.
It’s the new style in the NBA play with your buddies
by killa kadafi191 on Jul 22, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
true, however
the knicks are the only team on that list that i can imagine shipping out a ton of their talent to land chris paul from the hornets. lakers are seeking a 3-peat. orlando is a season removed from the nba finals. major restructuring doesn’t fit LA or ORL. nyc on the other hand…
how about this. three olympic teammates go to miami. and month later, we’re talking about 3 other olympic teammates possibly getting together in NYC. we’re going to have to stop letting superstars play on the olympic team…. its ruining competition and parity in the NBA
New Orleans would want Felton, Buke and Chandler
Or just Felton, Buke a pick or cash. I’m still doubting CP3 is healthy if it went down look out I’m going Rambo in the streets.
there a NJ stigma, deserved or not. the meadowlands never sold out. then they ripped the team apart and totally tanked last season to become one of the worst teams of all time. you’re going to have to turn that around before people consider coming to the nets. but if they get good crowds at the pru center and win some games, they won’t look so bad.
it was deserved
you cant play in the worst venue in professional sports, with its antiquated facilities, poor hospitality, continually changing access and parking; and to be quite frank a less than engaged fan base and expect free agents to flock here.
Next summer could be huge bust…with a lockout that is likely to stretch long into the season.
The Nets (so far) have had their best off-season since they picked up Kidd, Jefferson, MacColluch, Collins, etc. in the summer of 2001. Be grateful for that.
this.
The Nets do have a plan in place. People rip that billboard over MSG, but it would be naive to think that the Nets didn’t know there was a chance they’d strike out. I don’t know how long the Nets plan on keeping the billboard up but it wasn’t just put up for the summer of 2010 in mind.
This first season is key. They need to show improvement and I think they will. This team has more overall talent then the one from two seasons ago when VC was still here. That team won 30+ games. I don’t think it’s a reach that this team can equal that total.
But first things first….the players will need to buy into the system and persevere through a possible slow start and I think they do….unless Harris decides to pull a Kidd and starts having headaches. But I don’t think he does and i think the team progresses as the season rolls.
The first season, whether they make the playoffs or not is key in changing that perception around. People want to see playoffs and Favors slowly turn into KG. But I think winning 30 games alone and bringing a defensive intensity will go a long way to changing how we are viewed as a team.
yeah
we have to build momentum. Some folks need to relax a bit and be patient. This is not going to be an overnight fix. At least we are headed in a positive direction.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jul 22, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Was this always the plan or do certain parties feel embarrassed now? Thats a short time for such a big Sign. 2 months max??
thanks
for the info. keep up the good work!
Can we just get a PF??!!!!
Who cares what CP3 and melo do! I am excited about this young team we have here and with the right PF next to Lopez we can make some noise. We would def b e a playoff team in the east.
I am not putting myself thru another season of waiting for a star player. Lets ride with what we have unless something falls in our laps.
A Small Fish in a vst ocean
Patiece is a virtue…. hold your ground nets fans
by NETSxLastFanStanding on Jul 22, 2010 9:01 AM EDT reply actions
this
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jul 22, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Get Rubio.
Kahn is talking about Ridnour possibly starting, Sessions possibly starting, Flynn possibly starting. Just go get him.
"...where they don't play with a shot clock." - C. Sager
Kahn is all in on Rubio
It would have to be a ridiculuos offer to pry him away as a bad trade might be Kahn’s last move as GM.
we can be patient in regards to Rubio
he has no intentions of playing for Minnesota. Kahn is playing himself with each passing day by holding onto his rights.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jul 22, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't believe the figures mentioned
With the bonus that deal would have been $19 million in the first year. Nets only had $15 million available after agreeing to all their other deals.
I believe the Nets had discussions with Scola’s people, but probably less than those numbers. Probably closer to $50 million over 5 years with $6 million bonus. That would’ve fit in their cap space and kept the contract at less than $10M per year in future years. He decided to take $3 million less not frontloaded, which is reasonable since he really likes it in Houston.
I'm not sure that is how it would work with a front-ended offer. Would need further clarification, for what its worth.
I thought they would just pay up on signing and that it didn’t apply to cap space.
Right now, just getting an expiring $12 million contract of Indiana’s starting 30 year old PF Troy Murphy is looking pretty good and would give Nets a chance for playoffs and respectability. It would give Nets the option to rethink PF position after next season.
I wouldn’t expect Indiana to give Troy away, but after what we now know, beggars can’t be too fussy.
That's why there is luxury tax implications on front loaded deals
The teams that offer front loaded deals are ones below the cap and it’s a disincentive to their teams to match due to the luxury tax implications. It has everything to do with cap space.
Not a bad idea
Depending on what we give up though. Hes a rental player only. He could actually be better trade bait mid year due to his expiring contract. Not sure hes a difference maker to make us a Playoff team though.
where?
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Jul 22, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Would have loved to have seen Scola as a Net
but yet another whiff in our “blueprint for success”.
THIS.....
Hi Isaac……I just got in and read the posts……Many times I don’t write anything b/c you read my mind…..Whether Scola wanted to play here or not…We had a GREAT CHANCE to get him and BLEW IT…….AGAIN……This is DISGUSTING…….New Owner and all……We have a great chance to land a high caliber player like Scola (And I still can’t figure out why some fans can’t see how great this guy is) and we don’t go all out to get him……..Sometimes I wonder if things around here are ever really going to change……It’s Depressing…Unless they are planning to TANK…..If the Lakers want a certain player , even if there is only a slim chance , somehow they get him…….WOW…….Does anyone( including Proky) in the Nets organization even care…SCOLA was a No-Brainer……
Scola wasn't going to bring this Franchise to the Finals
You should be happy we did not give him that 5 year contract, I mean I wouldn’t have minded him being o the team but I mean we had a really good offseason, Favors, D-James, Morrow, Outlaw, Farmar, and Petro, we can still make trades we have a lot of young talent along with draft picks.
THAT.....
All you fans have been talking about Chris Paul…Oh Yeah…We are going to get him…Well now he is demanding a trade and we ARE NOT one of the teams on his list…….Not that I want him but we still have no leverage…….Nobody really wants to play here……I thought that Proky was going to change that ???
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