07-25-2023, 12:33 PM
(07-25-2023, 11:53 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: I don't believe lambasting an obviously bad contract means I'm in favor for the opposite outcome (and an extreme end of it).
Brown at the end of the day wants the most amount of money possible. Boston is the only team that can offer that.
Lets imagine a world where Boston does decide to enact some of their leverage and play hardball (because at the end of the day they are the ones writing the checks).
Brown probably gets mad, talks go to a stalemate, and Brown heads to free agency next year. The most he could get from any other team would be 30% of ~142 mil and 5% max raises for 4 years. It'd come out to a starting salary of 42.8 mil, and the total contract would be 4 years/184 mil. Vs. Boston gave him a supermax worth 35%, 8% max raises, AND a 5th year worth 5 years 304 mil.
Boston could easily have waited, offered Brown 5 years, 8% max raises, and 30% of the cap and they'd still blow away everyone else's offers. Are they risking Brown walking for free? Sure. Are they better off having him? Sure. Did they just sign him to the worst contract in the league? 100%.
I am not sure why you are assuming Boston didn't try everything you described. I think it is obvious it was Brown wanted nothing less than supermax. He is 26 and he is an elite two way player. Perhaps not the best on any end, but likely top 30 in each category. Not many players like that in the league. I think he is far from worst contract in the league. Beal, Lillard, Gobert, Towns are supermax (or near supermax) deals that are all far worse than Brown contract, imho. All offer much less than Brown either on offense or defense. All also much older. Brown is only entering his prime.
I am also not sure trading him would be a better move. What chance there is to find a player nearly as good as him. Thinking more about it, it will be possible to build around 2 super max contracts. There just won't be place for 30 mil players. 6 or 7 guys paid on average some 12 or 13 mil can still be very good supporting cast.