Baron Davis: NOT opting-out

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Oct 1, 2007 11:07 PM PDT

Multiple sources are reporting from media day interviews that Baron Davis, contrary to what he said to the Boston Globe, is not going to exercise his player option to become an unrestricted free agent.

He had previously said that he wanted a contract extension by training camp or else he would hit the open market.

According to the SF Chronicle's Bruce Jenkins:

It's a bit too early to start talking about feathery half-court shots or punishing slam dunks over Andrei Kirilenko, but Baron Davis made a huge statement Monday without leaving his Media Day chair.

Asked if he still planned to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract with the Warriors next summer, Davis said, quite simply, "No."

It's the sensible way to go - really, the only way Davis realistically could assess his status with the organization - but it wasn't what we were hearing last week. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Davis said he'd be disappointed if the Warriors didn't work out an extension before the start of training camp, and that he'd already be on next year's free-agent market, in his mind, if they failed to do so.

Tim Kawakami also had an article on a Q and A with Biddy:

Q: You were quoted recently in the Boston Globe saying that if you didn't get an extension by now, you'd definitely opt-out. You haven't gotten an extension, are you definitely opt-ing out next summer?

DAVIS: No. I've got two more years on my deal. I'm in a position here where I think we can do some great things. I just want to lead this team. The season's started now and my whole concentration and focus is on making us a better team than we were last year.

Q: So are you disappointed that you didn't get an extension?

DAVIS: You know what? That's not... There isn't really anything to comment on. When it happens it'll happen. I'm confident this is an organization that has had a track record of taking care of players that they want.

My job right now is to get this team off to the right track and just really concentrate on the season.

Q: Have the Warriors treated you fairly?

DAVIS: Hey man, of course. Of course. I've got two years left. I make a lot of money. There's no reason for me to complain. I'm here. My contract states that I'm here. There's really no reason to talk about the contract situation.

The quote in Boston, that was totally off-guard. At the same time, sometimes you say things and you get caught up-we were having a lot of fun-and forget that it was going into the paper. [Boldface added - OZ]

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OptionZero's editorializing below in comments

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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First, props to Baron. As the Warriors have played it all offseason, there's business to be taken care of, but fun to be had. His value has never been higher, but the Warriors had leverage. He asked for his money, didn't get it, but played it cool. Just like Nelson. No harm, no foul- but it's training camp. Butt kicking time. Win now. Get paid later. Mad respect to Mullin, Nelson, and Baron for playing all their roles: cool executive, mad scientist, and professional.

Second, this is a good thing. We are assured Baron Davis will be a Warrior for two more years, and, apparently, a content (or at least, outwardly professional, which is something these days) for those two years. Truthfully, I'm happy with the two years and no more, but that's a question for next season now.

Third, no grumbling- from Baron, Pietrus, Nelson. Biedrins will get his extension, then the business side should be all taken care of until the trade deadline, when we send Pietrus, Croshere, and Tobey Bailey for Durant.

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Oct 1, 2007 11:13 PM PDT reply actions

wtf?

I think your last line needs an explanation.

by saintfloppy on Oct 2, 2007 2:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Seriously!

We'd probably need need to throw in POB, Carlos Powell, Carlos Rogers, and Carlos Santana to make that deal work...

by Sleepy Freud on Oct 2, 2007 3:06 AM PDT up reply actions

FTW

The explanation is he's joking.

by leee @ Golden State Of Mind on Oct 2, 2007 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions

He still can

And he still might. He's being a pro and stud about it (which is why I love him so much) and saying he won't to make sure he puts it behind him and focuses on the task at hand. True Warrior.

BTW in that same article by Mr. Kawakami, he makes the following analysis:

Why commit to anything 9 months from when he has to make the decision? (Which is also exactly why the Warriors didn't give him the extension.)

He's playing this the way he has to play it, to maintain his value to the franchise, prepare himself for a monster year, then see what happens next summer-when he can still opt-out, obviously-either from the Warriors or somebody else.

Baron is no dummy. I've always said that. He can get stubborn and moody, but he's certainly as smart a player as there is in this league. If he has a great season, there are no worries.

So though he may not, and probably won't, he still can, and he still might. IMO he's just doing the right thing for now. If you compare his offseason contract issues with others, like let's say oh I dunno, Shawn Marion?, then you see a huge difference in the kind of person BD is. And at the end of the day, if BD ends up going with another team, he can always look back and say "well I would have signed an extension last year but..." JUST SAYING, it's my opinion, take it for what it's worth =)

If War brings peace Dubz wit' it den!

by gsdubz on Oct 1, 2007 11:15 PM PDT reply actions

Just speculation....

Ive got a feeling Baron could have just said that to give the Don Nelson negotiations a nudge in the right direction. He's made it known plainly to the organization that he loves playing for Nellie, and you could even speculate and say that he would want him to coach the team as long as possible...

I just dont understand the sudden change of heart if he did actually say that he was planning to opt out.

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Oct 2, 2007 1:05 AM PDT reply actions

sounds

like hes just saying what your suppose to say in interviews. i think he realized if he asked for the contract extension he will get far less money. Well i just hope they keep him but is also going to have great health in the process.

What you thought that I only played basketball? I AM A Golden State WARRIOR!

by 24k state fan since 87 on Oct 2, 2007 1:07 AM PDT reply actions

More Baron

"I've got two more years on my deal, I'm in a position here where I feel we can do some great things. I just want to lead this team. The season's starting now and my whole concentration and focus is on making us a better team than we were last season."

It'll be in my article in a few minutes ..

by pree on Oct 2, 2007 5:30 AM PDT reply actions

No way, Pree

This diary is clearly a tribute to a player who has flawlessly assumed leadership of this team. He is our captain and we are middle of the pack without him. His mercurial style is exactly why he needs grown ups like Nellie and Mullin calling the front office shots. So, why do we need an article about trading him at his apex? Sure, that might make business sense in the short-term, but it is franchise suicide in the long run.

by eshock @ Golden State Of Mind on Oct 2, 2007 8:02 AM PDT up reply actions

huh?

Who said anything about trading Davis?

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Oct 2, 2007 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Maybe

He may have been referring to my own assertion that the team should not re-sign Baron. I think this is a very good step, though, as if Baron wants to stay at the right price, then it makes sense.

He's toned down his demands, for sure.

by pree on Oct 2, 2007 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions

oh

Well, not extending him now (and not extending him later, either) does not necessarily mean we have to trade him at some point. I'd consider it, but it's not essentia.

If he plays both years out and we don't extend him, then we have $17M to play with in '09 instead of '08 (if he had opted out).

I'm pretty happy with that. Two shots with Baron then a bounty to reload.

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Oct 2, 2007 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions