Why haven't we negotiated a new 4 year deal...

by Sc413 on Jul 12, 2009 12:48 AM MDT

Why haven't we negotiated a new 4 year deal with Lou Amundson. He's making about $800,000 next year. He's a fan favorite and the type of high energy guy that the team needs. We could probably sign him for $7 mil for 4 additional years now. It might cost us $16 mil or more once the coaches help him fix his free throw shot etc. We really can't screw up that much from such a small deal...since rosters are so big anyhow. Reward him and save us money down the road...Thoughts?

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A Good Idea

A good idea, but the banker likes to wait until the last minute to decide whether a guy is worth extending. Sometimes this will price a guy out of his league, see Joe Johnson fiasco. Also, I guess the banker doesn’t like to commit money – hmaybe he’s thinking that maybe the guy will get hurt or something. Better not to sign him beforehand.

by eagleheart on Jul 12, 2009 3:07 AM MDT reply actions

i agree

extend him on the cheap for less than $2 mill/year for the next 4 years. Even if he doesn’t pan out to be anything worthwhile, atleast he’ll be an easy contract to get rid of, or eat at this price. I don’t want to see this guy play out of his mind next season, and end up overpaying him like Boris Diaw, or letting him go like JJ. Sarver should have learned his lesson by now. Lou is looking for security and to stay in the league, and with a cheap contract, that gives him 4 years, but still should keep him hungry enough to earn another shot at landing a bigger deal. Whereas guys like Erick Dampier, Bryant Reeves, Jim McIlvaine, Raef LaFrentz, etc. made a living by being so overpaid, and so useless, and untradeable.

by Aluminum Foyle on Jul 12, 2009 2:01 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

They probably don’t think he’ll ever be that good. He hustles and plays hard for sure. But in the end, He’s an undersized, not too athletic forward/center. And there too much demand for those.

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by J-Gao on Jul 12, 2009 6:50 PM MDT reply actions

If that was the case..

Then why did we pick him up for this season and why did we play him so much late last year. I think you are undervaluing his skill and underrating the need for high energy role players.

by Sc413 on Jul 13, 2009 12:00 AM MDT up reply actions

i agree with extending him for long term and cheap now before someone offers him more

by cap space on Jul 12, 2009 7:54 PM MDT reply actions

they said the same thing about

Diaw after he had one good year and he ended up being over paid….let’s wait and see what the guy does this year

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by Seth Pollack on Jul 13, 2009 12:17 AM MDT up reply actions

Diaw is a good comparison....

And if we could have gotten him at a much better price, people would view him today in a different light. I don’t see how we could go wrong with Lou at that price….but if you are concerned…give him two years and make three and four be team options. Again, at this point in his career, he’d probably sign such a deal for the continuity and the potential for consistent minutes.

by Sc413 on Jul 13, 2009 11:01 AM MDT up reply actions