We can officially cross one name off of the NBA Overseas Defection Watch List (NBA-ODWL from now on, agreed?), and that's because the Lakers signed Sasha Vujacic to a deal this afternoon. The contract is reportedly for $15M over three years, not a bad raise for someone who took home just $1.76M last season.That was before playing what will forever be known as the Josh Childress card though, which can be defined as "threatening my current team with the prospect of signing a deal to play in Europe if they don't make me an offer that I feel is appropriate." The Lakers' initial offer was for three years, $12M, but apparently the prospect of Sasha heading overseas as early as tonight to begin negotiating (he supposedly had a red-eye flight booked) lit a fire under the team to get a deal in place today.
This is good news for the Lakers, and good news for the league. Sasha's deal is by no means exorbitant for someone with his skill set, unlike the offer that the Lakers declined to match for Ronny Turiaf. And it's very possible that Sasha might have gotten a slightly better offer to play in Europe, but he accepted a fair one to stay and play in the NBA. I think we're likely to see the bulk of restricted free agents do the same thing that Sasha did: use Europe as a bargaining chip, but ultimately, sign with their current team ... as long as they receive a reasonable offer.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ray Allen approves.
Ray Allen approves.
just another card put in place for the run in2009. need to do something with odom/ trade for a young power forward and p/g.
I thought Vujacic showed that he had no value in the NBA during the NBA Finals. Amazing what you can earn for not doing your job well.
i guess u forgot about game 3 where other then kobe Vujacic stepped up hitting key shots in key moments
Wayne - there aren't too many players shooting 44% from three point land, and the Lakers just locked up one of them. With Gasol and Bynum down low; Sasha, Farmar, Radman and Fisher (all shooting 3's well) keeping the defenses honest; and Bryant scoring from anywhere on the court, all the other teams will just be playing for second place for the next several years.