...but is it worth the cost?
This is kind of old news, but I forgot to post it a couple of days ago. I don't think I saw this around here, but if someone posted, please kindly let me know and I'll remove it.
Chris Tomasson of FanHouse is reporting that Chauncey Billups has said he knows the key to keeping Carmelo Anthony here in Denver...and that's himself.
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/08/10/billups-says-keeping-him-around-helps-denvers-chances-to-retain/
If the Denver Nuggets want to keep All-Star Carmelo Anthony, hanging on to their other All-Star would be a good start.
Chauncey Billups is a modest fellow. But he couldn't deny Tuesday that the Nuggets assuring his contract will be fully guaranteed for 2011-12 would aid the chances of Anthony signing a contract extension to remain with the team.
"I'm sure that would help,'' the Denver guard said in an interview with FanHouse.
I'm pretty sure that would help as well. Wait...but let's look at this next part.
Billups, as chronicled by FanHouse in June, is under contract next season for $13.15 million and is due to make $14.2 million in 2011-12, the final year of his deal. But the Nuggets would be on the hook for only $3.7 million of that final season if they waive him by June 20, 2011, a potential savings of $10.5 million.
That deadline is 10 days before the final day Anthony, who has a three-year, $64.7 million extension on the table, can decide whether to opt out of his contract and become a free agent next summer. June 30, 2011 also is the final day he could sign the extension that would cancel his option year for 2011-12 and put him under contract with the Nuggets through 2014-15.
Okay. As much as I love Chauncey, I can't help but think he's being just a little bit selfish here. While I think he CAN bring $14.2 mil of value to the table in '11, wouldn't it help the team more if he took the paycut? I know everyone can't help but want the money, but Chauncey has to know as well as any of us that $14.2 mil is a lot of money, not to mention a huge cap hold. Personally, I can't help but think he just wants to get his contract guaranteed in case there's a lockout.
Oh, and there are some interesting notes about the F.O. situation in the article, although a lot looks to be sorted out by now.
What do you guys think?
