When it comes to players holding all the cards, historically it’s the NFL where the players hold all the power. Since the contracts aren’t guaranteed, who can blame their players for holding out for max dollars when they are at the top of their game, lord only knows the teams cut them when they are under performing.
But recently, the NBA has somehow decided to put the NFL in the review mirror when it comes to giving their players all the power. It seems like everyone offseason, NBA All-Stars are forcing trades. But what is incredible is that the players have guaranteed contracts, and yet somehow they are getting what they want.
Look no further than John Wall this year or Anthony Davis last year. Players suddenly decide that even though they are under contract to play for a certain team, they want to play somewhere else. It’s one thing if you are traded to a team and decide this isn’t the team for you, but when you sign or re-sign with a team then a year or two later decide you want to leave, that’s when the league needs to figure out a solution.
Anthony Davis is the most recent addition to the “thanks for the money now trade me club”. He signs a monstrous extension with the Pelicans and eventually decides he’d rather play somewhere else and forced his way to the Lakers. Honestly, the worst part is that players (like Davis) make it clear they want to join a certain team and thus their current team lose all leverage in trying to trade them. Luckily, the Pelicans were able to secure a couple of very good players in the trade but probably still didn’t get what Anthony Davis is truly worth.
But here is what is even worse, somehow thanks to the “player options” on contacts, players have found the ability to “opt-in” and then receive buy-outs because they don’t want to play there. Most notoriously, Carmelo Anthony pulled this card the summer of 2018 when OKC traded him to Atlanta. I get not wanting to play for Atlanta (he didn’t sign there), but it’s absolutely crazy that he can “opt-in” to his deal for over $20 Million only to force a buy-out so he can play where he wants for the veteran’s minimum. Melo could have simply left and played wherever he wanted, but since he had a couple of crappy years, he opted to “opt-in” for that final year so he got paid, and then tell the Hawks he’s not showing up.
Honestly, the rule in this case should be that if you opt-in, you are ineligible to be traded or bought out that entire season, basically eliminating players from negotiating in bad faith…..like Melo.
At the end of the day, the NBA needs to work with the players union to ensure neither side is getting screwed. Players always…and I mean always talk about the lack of loyalty when they are traded, but don’t hesitate to screw a team over when they get the chance.
