Holiday's agent, Sixers meet
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Holiday's agent, Sixers meet
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
Tony Dutt, the agent for Jrue Holiday, was in Wells Fargo Center on Monday night doing his due-diligence for his client, who is in line for a possible contract extension before the start of the season.
I don’t know how the discussions went or how they are progressing, but I don’t think that Holiday, who has said that he wants to be a “max-contract player,” is going to see a deal get done before the Oct. 31 deadline.
I don’t have a firm idea of what is going to happen, but I have talked with enough people around the league to think that they are not going to get a deal done and Holiday will reach next summer as a restricted free agent. If that is the case, the Sixers will be in position to offer Holiday a larger contract than any other team.
As a restricted free agent, the Sixers could sign Holiday to a five-year deal. Other teams can sign him for four years.
Holiday was the 17th overall pick in the 2009 draft and that class is loaded with guards like Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings and Ty Lawson, all looking for substantial extensions but unlikely to get them.
However, the one benefit that Holiday has over all of the aforementioned guys is the addition of a big man in Andrew Bynum who can potentially do wonders for Holiday’s game and his stats. Holiday should be getting more open looks at the basket when the big man draws the double team. I also think that this is a season in which Holiday can become an assists monster. Holiday averaged 6.5 assists, a career high, during the 2010-11 season. Why can’t he hand out at least two more (minimum) now with the weapons the Sixers have added?
Stay tuned. There is always the chance that something may get done. However, I don’t think it will.
John I think Jrue would be happy with the security if they can compromise on salary. I hope we don't have to give him the max for the simple fact that I want a better team. I'd like to be able to bring back Nick Young and Dorell Wright and if we pay Jrue too much you can forget that (unless if you dump salary like Kwame Brown and maybe JRich/Hawes). I kinda think we overpaid for Thad because Jrue should be getting that kind of money. I absolutely agree 4 years $40 million sounds great right now.— joecooler2u- yeah I see it the same way you do. I honestly dont think the maxc is an issue. that wasa just jrue's agent firing the first shot at negotiations. number 1 rule in negotiations: START HIGH n bargain your way down. I think 40-44 that lawson is said to be getting is enough to extend jrue! I ont think that there is any way that we let Nick and Dorrell leave town at the end of the season. like, you I hve to believe that Jrue will take the 40million dollar security blanket now!— johnGiam
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
