NBA Player Al Jefferson Opts for Less Money

In the rarest of events, an NBA opted for less cash. Al Jefferson of the Minnesota Timberwolves, formerly of the Boston Celtics, accepted a $65 million deal on October 31, 2007 that essentially extends his stay in Minnesota for another 5 years.

You may wonder how accepting a $65 million deal (which in the NBA is guaranteed money) is opting for less cash. Well, considering Jefferson's contract is up at the end of the season, and under the NBA contractual rules, he will be a restricted free agent. Jefferson's status as a restricted free agent would allow him to be on the open market, and would give other NBA teams the opportunity to bid on Jefferson's service. Before signing the $65 million deal, Jefferson's agent told Al that he could get him a max contract (as much as $20-$30 million per season) if Jefferson opted to go for restricted free agency at the end of the year.

Al Jefferson is only 22-years old, and is the most promising power forward his age or below. He had somewhat of a breakout season last year for the Boston Celtics; in large part due to Paul Pierce's extended absence. Jefferson averaged 15 more minutes per game in 2006-2007 than he did in 2005-2006. He averaged 16 points per game, 11 rebounds and shot 51% from the field in just 33 minutes per game.

Assuming Jefferson gets to play 40 minutes on the "I can barely" drink club that is the Minnesota Timberwolves, his numbers and rate of growth translate into 20 points per game, 13 rebounds and a Player Efficiency Rating of 19.

Those numbers are quite impressive, and they are the kind of numbers that will get a young man an All-Star bid. Now is that likely to happen to this season. However, Al Jefferson does not believe that those projections, nor his previous performance, warrant a max deal saying, "I didn't even think I was worth max (money) this year anyway."

In a sports era where football players hold out because they're franchised tagged for a $10 million salary, basketball players want to be traded because they are better than the team, baseball players you won't know 5 years from now will make $30 million in the same time span, and managers turn down $5 million salaries because they feel insulted, it's nice to see a young man who wants to earn the right to demand his money.

With all the talent Jefferson has, that day is not far away. If his 18 points and 13 rebounds per game were a sign of things to come in 2007-2008, then Jefferson's next payday will be worth a lot more than $65 million. Then, his agent might forgive him for signing the deal he took in favor of less money, but with far greater responsibility.