The Athletic: Baker, Portland far apart on new deal
Apr 21, 2022 15:31:54 GMT -5
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Post by CC06 on Apr 21, 2022 15:31:54 GMT -5
Baker, Portland far apart on new deal
When the Portland Trail Blazers made a move for Mavericks' star Vin Baker an offseason ago, they sent a signal around the league that they were the prohibitive favorite to lift the TSFBL Championship. That they did, in a season where they ran roughshod over the rest of the league to a 71-11 regular season record. And while it was the low post duo of Baker and Alonzo Mourning, two former Playoff MVP's, that grabbed most of the preseason attention, it was rookie point guard Allen Iverson who received the accolades when the Blazers narrowly defeated the Boston Celtics in the TSFBL Finals.
Now, the 26-year old Baker is a free agent, albeit restricted, for the first time in his career. And while he may have been forced to take a back seat in Portland's offensive ecosystem -- his points per game average dropped from 29.6 to just 16.1 -- last year, The Athletic's Shams Charania has learned that he's not willing to do the same when it comes to the financial side of things. After all, the contract Baker signs this off-season, whether with Portland or another team, will likely take him into his 30's. It could very well be his only chance to strike a big payday.
From early indications, the two sides remain very far apart on a deal. Given that he's a restricted free agent, Baker will have the option to either sign an offer sheet elsewhere and see whether or not the Trail Blazers intend to match -- a move that could cripple them in the future when other young players' contracts expire -- or let him leave and take a step back from the dominant force they were this past season. Baker also has the option to play for the qualifying offer in Portland, a very risky move for obvious reasons. With free agency negotiations just beginning, it's impossible to say how things will play out for Baker, but he's made it very clear that money is his number one priority.
When the Portland Trail Blazers made a move for Mavericks' star Vin Baker an offseason ago, they sent a signal around the league that they were the prohibitive favorite to lift the TSFBL Championship. That they did, in a season where they ran roughshod over the rest of the league to a 71-11 regular season record. And while it was the low post duo of Baker and Alonzo Mourning, two former Playoff MVP's, that grabbed most of the preseason attention, it was rookie point guard Allen Iverson who received the accolades when the Blazers narrowly defeated the Boston Celtics in the TSFBL Finals.
Now, the 26-year old Baker is a free agent, albeit restricted, for the first time in his career. And while he may have been forced to take a back seat in Portland's offensive ecosystem -- his points per game average dropped from 29.6 to just 16.1 -- last year, The Athletic's Shams Charania has learned that he's not willing to do the same when it comes to the financial side of things. After all, the contract Baker signs this off-season, whether with Portland or another team, will likely take him into his 30's. It could very well be his only chance to strike a big payday.
From early indications, the two sides remain very far apart on a deal. Given that he's a restricted free agent, Baker will have the option to either sign an offer sheet elsewhere and see whether or not the Trail Blazers intend to match -- a move that could cripple them in the future when other young players' contracts expire -- or let him leave and take a step back from the dominant force they were this past season. Baker also has the option to play for the qualifying offer in Portland, a very risky move for obvious reasons. With free agency negotiations just beginning, it's impossible to say how things will play out for Baker, but he's made it very clear that money is his number one priority.