Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
Nazr Mohammed is sticking around for a little while longer. The Thunder announced today that they have agreed to a contract extension with the veteran big man from Kentucky.
I guess when he randomly tweeted “Thunder Up!!!!” and “Today is a good day!!!! #Blessed” this morning, we should’ve seen the writing on the wall.
“We are pleased to be able to keep Nazr in the Thunder family,” said Presti. “He is a valuable part of our organization both on and off the floor. His professionalism, experience, and on-court play have had a positive impact on our young and evolving roster.”
Mohammed is entering his 14th NBA season and was a productive piece to the Thunder’s playoff run last season. He was acquired from Charlotte for D.J. White and Morris Peterson and gave Oklahoma City a solid big man to play behind Kendrick Perkins. The Thunder lacked size inside and Mohammed not only was a good physical defender, but added a little timely offense at times too.
Terms of the deal weren’t entirely disclosed but it is a one-year deal. Mohammed would’ve become an unrestricted free agent July 1 if OKC didn’t reach an agreement with him. It’s probably in the $2 million range. As Tom Ziller pointed out, that means OKC has a frontcourt of Mohammed, Perk, Ibaka and Collison all locked up for a total of $14 million. That’s almost what Tyson Chandler made last year alone.
The Thunder have young big men waiting in Cole Aldrich and Byron Mullens but clearly don’t see either of those as ready to step in and fill rotation minutes. I thought if the Thunder let Mohammed walk that meant that they thought Aldrich was ready to play. Evidently not.
Presti raved about Mohammed’s professional and work ethic after the trade deadline when he was acquired having known him in San Antonio. Mohammed is the ideal Thunder veteran — someone that contributes both on and off the court, handles himself in the most professional manner, is fine with whatever role he’s given and is ready to play meaningful minutes at any moment.
There was a little question as to if Mohammed would be retained, but clearly the Thunder values the big man. Yeah, the CBA negotiations are coming and people are worried about the new future of the league, but a minor contract like this doesn’t worry the Thunder. It’s no big surprise here that Mohammed’s back in the mix for the Thunder again next year.
Next up: Settling Daequan Cook’s situation.
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/32/basketball-valuations-11_Oklahoma-City-Thunder_329710.html
sorry, I included the wrong year.
@ Grolgar
Not even close. Ottawa, Jacksonville, Milwaukee, Memphis, Buffalo, Raleigh, Nashville, Salt Lake City, New Orleans, Columbus, Green Bay, Edmonton, Calgary, San Antonio is just slightly bigger. The rest are smaller or roughly equivalent.
@ scary_larry
Yes.
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/32/basketball-values-09_Oklahoma-City-Thunder_329710.html
Both New Orleans and Memphis are smaller cities than OKC, right? Green Bay too I'm sure... Is OKC the smallest market team?
My guess:
The 45m cap is where the revenue for the team who made the least amount of money for last year. So that is going to be their starting price.
Also remember the owners are wanting to not have revenue sharing unless they have a change in the voting system. Small market owners will not allow that to happen.
The big market owners will have to lower their standards of pay. Plain and simple the big market owners are going to lose a little here, but how much.
Tangent: Hornets G Jarrett Jack and Warriors G Charlie Bell are suspended for 1 game for violating NBA's conduct code. Are we seeing a move towards the NFL with violations.
The one thing is for sure the NBA's current CBA is messed up for the small market teams. The players are going to have to recognize this and the GM's are going to have to deal with a change in cap room. The one thing I think will happen is a grandfathered in clause for current contracts. Presti is being smart and filling out his roster in the Presti manner of fiscal responsibility.
Question for any here do we know if the Thunder are profitable as the smallest market team in all professional sports?
@ justin
Considering Nazr was with San Antonio all that time and based on his character (not to mention that awesome video of his kid doing the KD shimmy), I think Nazr prefers the low-key environment of OKC anyway. Nazr strikes me as the kind of guy who actually considers the effect on his kids of the guys he plays with. Not saying LeBron, Wade and co. are bad people, just not as good role models as KD and crew are.
Perkins Game Face :So James Jones declined his 1.4 million player option. Would signing him over Cook be a lateral move or better/worse?
I think Jones expects himself to be worth more now. The validity of him over Cook would be that Jones would play SF exclusively, and only see time when Durant rested (10 minutes per game if that). Certainly an elite shooter, but not going to bring anything else to the table. What does Cook do besides shoot? Do we trust him to play any defense? If not, then I suppose Jones' position makes him a better option. If we assume Cook adds to any other facet of the game, he's the better player.
the season will be prorated
Ozarkhick :I wonder if it turns into a 50 game regular season, do I get a partial refund on my season tickets?
I'd guess put towards playoff tickets or the following season.
I wonder if it turns into a 50 game regular season, do I get a partial refund on my season tickets?
If the report on the CBA offer is true, that has to be a bluff, like the first offer you make to a car salesman.
Unfortunately, it also probably means we have a very, very, very long haggling session ahead. Abbreviated regular season sucks.
The 45 M will not stand. Just a starting point in my opinions
Great signing in my opinion. He will continue to aid in veteran leadership, and provide additional size in our reserves down in the paint. I am a Nazr fan, for sure. He wants to be here, and that's an additional plus. Good signing. Thunder UP!
@ Sammy
However, there wasn't a spot in the rotation for White. There might be for Mullens
45M = 3M average for 15 roster spots. That sounds nutso. Maybe if they include major revenue sharing to suppliment the salary. Incentives would be nice as well. Become an All-Star earn an extra million for the next three years. MVP? Take home an extra 3M that season. Of course 45M isn't going to happen. It is a scare tactic.
@ DXL
DJ White had a ton more value than Mullens does. White had shown in the few NBA minutes he did get (as well as in his D-League minutes) that he was a rotation-capable NBA player. Mullens has never shown anything of the sort.
D.J. White, a young but unaccomplished player, was traded for Nazr, a solid veteran center.
Another reason why extending Mullens' rookie contract makes sense. In a pinch, perhaps at the trade deadline next year, a cheap young big man can have some trade value. He's a minor trade chip, at least.
So James Jones declined his 1.4 million player option. Would signing him over Cook be a lateral move or better/worse?
An necessary signing. Look at the centers who will come on the free agent market this offseason:
Too Expensive: Tyson Chandler, Samuel Dalembert
Mid-priced: Chuck Hayes
Cheap: Kyrylo Fesenko, Kurt Thomas, Jason Collins
Even if OKC liked any of these guys it's unclear they could have signed any of them for a reasonable price. Most players like to re-sign to their current clubs for family reasons, etc.
Nazr's better than the cheap guys, and is comparable to Chuck Hayes in terms of quality.
That seems foolish. I have a very hard time believing LA/Chicago/Miami/Dallas etc. ownerships are pushing for a $45M hard cap.
@ Mark!
45M? Really? You couldn't even afford a team of Rashard Lewis, Joe Johnson and 13 empty roster slots for that.
Also, RealGM reporting that once the lockout begins the owners will take all their concessions off the table and push for a $45M hard cap, the elimination of guaranteed contracts and 33% salary cut for players.
It's going to be a while before we get to watch an NBA game.
Aldrich obviously isn't ready. Not much of a surprise, but that's all this really tells me. Nazr was good in the regular season, not so good in the playoffs. Maybe he was injured? Anyway, if he signed for $2-4M, that's good IMO.
Also, Westbrook's extension probably comes before settling Deaquan's situation in the "next up" list, I'd imagine.
Nice insurance policy if the unthinkable were to happen to Perk.
I don't think Nazr is a starter on any team, so what does Miami really get out of using their mid-level (if they have one) exception on him? They probably think they can do better.
@ Bob
seems a little early for that harsh of criticism of aldrich and pleiss
Good signing. Guys, dont count on Mullens, Aldrich or Pleiss. Aldrich might have a chance to become a back-up somewhere, but Mullens and Pleiss are awful.
Another great move by the thunder. Extremely impressed. They know how to make all the right moves. My dude Maynor coming. Get a solid big that not only can be a solid back up but can help off the court as well. Maybe even coach.
@ justin
yeah but the Heat are a bunch of dicks, who wants to have to share a locker room with those guys for a year?
1yr $4m probably closer to the truth.
It's never fun to think about, but if we want to contend we need to realize that an injury in the frontcourt at some point this year is likely, and we needed nazr to make sure any missed time wouldn't sink our title hopes. I'm a fan of the move. I've been happy with the decisions we've made this summer.
1y/$2M sounds too good to be true. Wouldn't Miami pay him more?
@ justin
Died a lot. Who knows if Utah even does that trade, anyway? Maybe they want to keep Mehmet around now as a mentor to Kanter.
Nazr was awful in the playoffs. I would have been very happy with this if you told me as the regular season was over.
My dream of Mehmet Okur died a little today.
If Nazr costs ~$2m, Collison-Perk-Ibaka-Nazr will cost OKC ~$14m total. That's some pretty good value.
@The Beard Knows
“In OKC I have (a) chance 2 compete 4 a Championship, opportunity 2 share what I know w/ (a) young team, chance 2 learn how 2 run a top notch organization & unbelievable fans …”
The “chance 2 learn how 2 run a top notch organization” part makes me think that he might want to try out coaching or something along those lines. The guy has won two college championships and an NBA title. I say keep him around. Plus, this was awesome… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STwxuLnnFwE
I'm glad we kept him. I think Nazr added a lot to the team last year.
Mildly unexpected but not totally surprising. I'm pretty neutral about bringing Nazr back.
I actually really like the idea of Nazr becoming an assistant coach. He has always really impressed me in interviews. I am not sure he could be a miracle-worker with Mullens or Pleiss, but I think he could do a lot to help develop Aldrich along.
Happy this is a one year deal. Seems like a good arrangement for both sides