As the NBA community spends the early part of July, and perhaps beyond, figuring out where Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving play next season, now is the time to look at the state of the NBA from a macro not a micro lens.
Since I share the same birthday as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, he is one year older than I am, I find it within my purview to look at the future of the league.
The current NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement expires following the 2023-24 season.
Meanwhile, the current National TV deals with ESPN and Turner Sports will run through the 2024-25 season.
The next CBA and TV deal will set the league up financially for the next decade plus. Financially, the league is in great shape. Franchise values are on par with the value of NFL franchises. But, it is imperative that the players association and management work together to ensure that the league continues to grow and expand its fan base, not turn it off.
I will always favor players over owners. Millionaires over billionaires. But I firmly believe that casual fans have been turned off the last several seasons with players partaking in load management, and superstar players requesting or demanding trades before their four year contract extension kicks in. See Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets.
Load management is a necessity, but often times gets abused by players and teams. Here is a common happening. A family of four shells out $600 for four tickets to see the Lakers play at the Nets on a Thursday night. Hours before the game, they find out that LeBron James and Kevin Durant will both be sitting out for maintenance. That is something that does happen often in the NBA and will certainly turn fans off. The league is so star driven that if the two biggest stars in a potential match-up doesn’t materialize, the value of those tickets and that game decreases exponentially.
If I shell out $300 to see U2 in concert I wouldn’t be pleased if a tribute band showed up to play instead of Bono and the Boys.
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contracts
by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
The TV networks are in a difficult situation as well. The next TV contract is expected to be a 10 year, $75 billion deal. That’s $250 million per team, per year. Again, that Lakers at Nets game on TNT on that Thursday night loses value if LeBron James and Kevin Durant aren’t playing. As great as Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson are, we turn in to watch the stars on the court, not the stars in the studio.
Around Full Press Coverage
NFL OPINION: Chicago Bears: New-Look Defense May Bring Back The Monsters
NFL: 3 Is Key Number For Broncos Quarterback Russell Wilson
NFL: Have the Green Bay Packers Assembled a Super Bowl Defense?
FULL PRESS BETS: Odds Favor The Avalanche To Repeat As Stanley Cup Champions
NHL: Colorado Avalanche Long Journey Back To The Stanley Cup
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 42: Deebo Samuel Requests Trade; Possible Landing Spots
One possibility to ensure that star players play more often would be to set a minimum amount of games played needed for players to be eligible for year-end awards. I don’t think it’s asking too much that a player must play in 66 of 82 games (80%) to qualify for the scoring title, First Team All-NBA, or any other individual award. Awards that add value to a players contract.
Player movement in the league is a good thing. The issue becomes when a player demands a trade within 12 months of signing a four year contract extension. Since NBA contracts are fully guaranteed, a contract between the a player and team must be viewed as fair. This isn’t the NFL where contracts are not fully guaranteed.
The Nets committed nearly $200 million over four years to Kevin Durant. Before that contract even kicked in, Durant has asked to be traded.
If a player demands a trade with more than 50% of the length of the contract remaining, and is moved, that player would be charged a tax. A 15% penalty/tax might make players think twice about moving on.
Are these measures draconian? Perhaps. But healthy relationships have to have some give-and-take. Not just take.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban coined the phrase, “Pigs get fed, hogs get slaughtered”. There is so much money for owners and players in the league to make, let’s hope greed doesn’t get in the way of the future of the NBA.
John Sapochetti is co-host of the Pick & Roll NBA Podcast with JET & SAP, which is heard here on Full Press Coverage.
Follow him on Twitter
@JohnSap25
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Ep 243: TE Tiers TE 2022by Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 1:32 pm
-
Ep 242: WR Tiers Part 2by Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 7:39 pm
-
Ep 241: WR Tiers 2022 Part 1by Full Press Coverage on July 28, 2022 at 1:50 pm
-
Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams: Who Has The Better Season?by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:48 am
From Full Press NFL Weekly, Ian Glendon, Braden Holecek, and Kyle Senra […]
-
Julio Jones Signs in Tampa Bayby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Ian and John discuss Julio Jones joining Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Learn […]
-
Juan Soto Wins Home Run Derby; Is It Worth Watching?by Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 1:10 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti react to Juan Soto's […]
-
Jimmy Garoppolo To Tampa Bay? Not so Fastby Full Press Coverage on July 11, 2022 at 1:09 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti discuss the latest […]
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm
Ian and John discuss Tom Brady on his 45th birthday and ask the […]
-
8/3 - Vin Scully, Tom Brady, Stephen Ross and the Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Vin Scully, Tom Brady's birthday, and […]
-
Bill Russell Passes Away At 88by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Ian and John react to the passing of Celtics' legend, Bill Russell.
-
8/1 - Bill Russell Passes Away; Deshaun Watson Suspendedby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Celtics' legend Bill Russell and the […]
-
7/29 - Kyler Murray, Julio Jones to Tampa, D.K. Metcalf Extensionby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyler Murray extension, Julio Jones signing in […]
-
Is An Eight-Game Suspension Too Light For Deshaun Watsonby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Ian and John discuss the rumored 8-game suspension for Browns quarterback, […]
-
7/22 - Kyler Murray Contract, Watson Suspension, Top 5 NFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Ian and John react to the Kyler Murray contract, the impending Deshaun […]
-
7/20 - Charles Barkley, Pre Game Shows, Top 5 AFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 1:23 pm
Ian and John discuss the rumors of Charles Barkley joining LIV Golf, the […]
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contractsby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Ian, Braden, and Kyle discuss the new quarterback contracts, Tyreek Hill […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "Summer Slam Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on July 28, 2022 at 12:31 am
Rucker is joined by Angel and Timmy C of Filter Free Popcast who you can […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "And Neeeeew..."by Boot 2 The Face on July 18, 2022 at 10:05 am
Your boys are back talking pro wrestling. We talk Jim Ross and his new […]
-
Ep. 16: 2022 Auburn Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on August 8, 2022 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 140: Training Camp Part 2by Full Press Coverage on August 7, 2022 at 7:36 pm
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Ep 125: Mabel/Visceraby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Ep. 196 - Bill Russell: Real Life Superheroby Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 9:32 pm
-
Ep 243: TE Tiers TE 2022by Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 1:32 pm
-
Ep.119: Hall Of Fame Game Previewby Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm
-
8/3 - Vin Scully, Tom Brady, Stephen Ross and the Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
Bill Russell Passes Away At 88by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
8/1 - Bill Russell Passes Away; Deshaun Watson Suspendedby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm
-
7/29 - Kyler Murray, Julio Jones to Tampa, D.K. Metcalf Extensionby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:04 pm
-
Is An Eight-Game Suspension Too Light For Deshaun Watsonby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 4:29 pm
-
7/22 - Kyler Murray Contract, Watson Suspension, Top 5 NFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 12:50 pm
-
7/20 - Charles Barkley, Pre Game Shows, Top 5 AFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 1:23 pm
-
7/19 - Lakers, MLB Home Run Derby, Gronks Future, And Moreby Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 1:07 pm
-
7/11 - Celebrity Deaths; Jimmy Garoppolo Rumorby Full Press Coverage on July 11, 2022 at 1:07 pm