Because it was the will of the management, or to be more precise, that of Heisley with whom he had a brief encounter during the championship ceremony.
Not at all surprising. From the information Hansen gathered previously, the renewals of Guy, Conley, and without exception, all were pressed for a lower price.
Small market, poor owner, they’ll squeeze where they can until it becomes an inertia.
San Antonio Spurs and Thunders, Manu Ginobili and Harden, it wasn’t unique to Memphis.
By this logic, Cavaliers’ Gilbert was a good one, after all, when James was there, he paid a huge luxury tax every year.
Moreover, this price pressure was even more warranted, given Hansen just announced the goal of a three-peat, which naturally required sacrifices.
For if sacrifices weren’t made, the core roster wouldn’t hold, and without it, the assurance for a three-peat would vanish.
After all, in terms of the amount, Hansen only needed to sacrifice 2 million annually; it could save the team 10 to 20 million a year, which was a good deal.
"I don’t sign, and the team plans to trade me?" Hansen put down the contract.
"How could that be possible! Absolutely not!" Wallace hastily waved his hands.
Hansen had just helped the team win their first championship. He was a hero to Memphis. Unless he wanted to leave, disturbing him in a city where championship parades could lead to shootings could get someone sent to eat peanuts.
Hansen shook his head.
Why should he save money for the owner?
Wallace’s theory had a major flaw: the amount of luxury tax paid wasn’t mutually exclusive with maintaining a roster.
Didn’t the Lakers exceed the cap by more than 20 million? They still paid the tax.
And don’t say the Lakers were richer, the Lakers owner Bass was one of the poorest in the League.
As for the team’s revenue, if he really led them to a three-peat Dynasty and the team still lost money, then damn, it was purely a management issue.
Not to mention his backing from the East Market. Rockets owner Alexander got rich from Yao Ming, starting from the bottom. Couldn’t Heisley do the same? ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝔫𝔢𝔱
So, pay the luxury tax if needed, maintain the roster as required, earn the money that’s due; these three things don’t conflict at all.
Of course, Hansen knew Wallace didn’t make the call, so he didn’t bother to argue further, directly giving his decision.
"Let’s end the talks of an early renewal. We can discuss the contract renewal next summer." Hansen was also issuing a warning to Heisley.
Every US Dollar he earned was well-deserved and worth its value.
If you really can’t handle it, you have the option not to play, just sell the team.
Grizzlies and Hansen didn’t reach an agreement for an early renewal.
And their troubles didn’t end there, as the team’s backup power forward Speights faced issues with his renewal.
Speights was a 2008 rookie, and his rookie contract was expiring this summer.
The champion’s halo had an effect on him; he received a contract from the Cavaliers for over 11 million for 2 years.
As Grizzlies had tried to press the price even in Hansen’s renewal, certainly they would not match this offer and could only let Speights leave.
However, the good news was, on the same day Speights announced his deal with the Cavaliers, yes, Jamison arrived.
Jamison reached a one-year, veteran minimum contract with the Grizzlies.
Jamison had previously asked Hansen if there was still a spot for him in Memphis, and now there was.
(1): When a player’s contract has one year left, the home team can offer an extension. The new contract will take effect after the existing one expires.