Baron Davis Throws Himself Into the Market

Well this is unexpected. This morning, some were lamenting the lazy NBA free agent session ahead. Tonight, Golden State talisman Baron Davis becomes the second unexpected star to opt out of a high-dollar contract to taste freedom, reports Geoff Lepper of the Contra Costa Times and Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

That Davis would eventually forgo his $17.6 million guarantee for a ride on the open market had been more joke than realistic proposition since Boom first threatened the ploy last fall. Davis had sought a massive extension from the Warriors, didn't get it, and said he'd walk. Baron has backed of those assertions in the months since as it became clear no one would be able to pay the guy this summer.

Nothing has changed -- Philadelphia could make a play, but with a hole at the four and Brand joining Josh Smith on the market, you'd imagine Ed Stefanski will keep it locked on Andre Miller. Memphis has 14 point guards under contract, and Baron probably won't want to go to a terrible team and share a backcourt with O.J. Mayo.

But the Clippers ... how 'bout Davis going home to L.A.? The Clippers renounced the rights to Shaun Livingston, and have only Brevin Knight to their name. Corey Maggette and Brand have opted out -- barring sign-and-trades and assuming teams sign the sought-after players soon, L.A. can sign Davis outright to a deal beginning at $17.2 million (his new max) per year. Teased out to five years and including the standard 8% annual raise, the deal would be something like five years, $99 million.

Before we delve too deeply into the possibilities, though, let's keep this particular decision by Davis in our heads. Why did he do it? Did his agent catch word Brand was gone, opening up the Clippers as a serious possibility? Was there any fire behind the smoke surrounding the relationship between Boom and returning coach Don Nelson? Is Baron just feeling the karma? Is he just pissed about the "insulting" offers? Knowing what lead to this might help us figure out what happens next. (Or we could just wait and see what happens next, but what fun is that?!)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-01-2008 @ 12:30AM

Mike said...

Hope he is not trying to do what Kobe did last year! He is a outstanding player, but come on, too much money and now too much ego - not a good combination. Golden State is a good team, sometimes you just gotta hang in there until the team and organization gels. I think you are making a mistake. You will probably end up with a losing team and you will wish you had stayed at Golden State.

7-01-2008 @ 12:56AM

Mr.G said...

The Baron and the King wearing the Wine and Gold?I think thats a real possibility now.

7-01-2008 @ 4:07AM

Lex said...

$17 million and you get to play / live , in the Bay Area ( San Francisco ! ) ... time for a drug test, me thinks ??? !!! When healthy... a good player, but never a superstar , or media friendly. These guys are too close to the second hand smoke of the crack that their agent must be smoking and blowing it up their a** !!

7-01-2008 @ 7:10AM

kreqventure said...

Hey, Baron, what about coming to Indiana and the Pacers?!!!! We sure could use someone like you on our team!!!! Have your agent give Larry Legend a call ASAP!!!!

7-01-2008 @ 7:13AM

Tgmojo said...

Another player about to learn a lesson the hard way. If nothing else I hope we as owners teach this ungrateful,uneducated,iresponsible semi talented basketball player a lesson in economics.

7-01-2008 @ 7:26AM

Mike Tee said...

Baron who???? Professional Basketball is not even relevant anymore...

7-01-2008 @ 7:34AM

.chefphx said...

How many of you wish some one whould insult you by offering you 17.2 million dollars ?

They could insult me all they want if they gave me 1/2 that amount I d always have the last laugh.

Theese players need to go get a real job and live on the edge for 1 year like us the people who pay there salery then maybe they would learn a lesson .

7-01-2008 @ 1:30PM

doctor d said...

The NBA is a conglomerate of physicaly abnormal,mentally deficient,morons.The only people below them are the owners , fans and the hiphop degenerates that attend the games. Kinda like pro wrestling, don't ya think?

7-01-2008 @ 8:04AM

Dr. Russ said...

Angry at getting paid only 17.2 million? Please! I've got a better idea. Fold up professional sports and let them go flip burgers at Mickey D's. It is not insulting to the player to get offered 17.2 million, it is a slap in the face of every hard working American! Shut it all down! While I'm a huge fan of basketball & it paid my way through school, I have to say its out of control. Let Mr. Davis go to work wherever he can. Maybe a little humility would save his life and thousands of kids who look up to these "role models" like him & in the process implode their lives all over the streets. I know. I'm a psychologist & I see them in my office every day!

7-01-2008 @ 8:20AM

KING DIAMOND666 said...

I HAVE 1 THING TO SAY "THEY ARE NOTHING BUT BIG BABY'S"

7-01-2008 @ 9:33AM

Financial Planner said...

How much money does he need?

7-01-2008 @ 12:09PM

Eddie said...

I'd bet it had something to do with BoomDiz indicating he wouldn't opt out, only to walk right into the middle of trade negotiations. Someone call the cops, the GS front office is raping this franchise and no, not making the playoffs in the most competitive western conference in recent history does not mean she "wanted this". Pull your heads out of your projected earnings and realize that a title will make you more jack than you've ever seen, and you can't afford to rebuild AGAIN.

7-02-2008 @ 12:52AM

So you're going home Baron. Yes, you'll see Jessica's baby more and you can shop Rodeo Drive, more then our Union Square. But when you look up into the sky and actually 'see the sky' that's noT right , normal. That's smog ! So, enjoy your personal life coach, your massage and sparkling water, pool boys and rehabs, botox, fake ((BOOBS )) and oh yeah, basketball, ...losing.
- By the way Baron, the small fork is the 'salad fork.'