As we’ve covered several times over the last month, the league’s landscape has completely changed.
That’s due to several big name NBA superstars changing teams as free agents (Kawhi Leonard), by requesting trades (Paul George), or getting traded (D’Angelo Russell). Out of all the moves during this off season, there’s one that stands out to former player and Golden State Head Coach Steve Kerr as really problematic: the Anthony Davis situation.
“The Anthony Davis situation,” Kerr said during the most recent The Warriors Insider Podcast. “Where a guy is perfectly healthy and has a couple years left on his deal and says, ‘I want to leave.’ That’s a real problem that the league has to address”
With all this talk about player empowerment, what gets lost is the player’s legal commitment to the team in which they have a agreement. Basically when you sign a contract, you should honor it. If you don’t do what you need to do.
“When you sign on that dotted line, you owe your effort and your play to that team, to that city, to the fans.” Kerr expanded. “And then (once the contract runs out) it’s completely your right to leave as a free agent. But if you sign the contract, then you should be bound to that contract.”
As we know now, Davis had another season left on his contract with the New Orleans Pelicans when he demanded a trade during the season. He was ultimately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in June for the Lakers’ young core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart and three first-round draft picks.
Kerr also recognized that it’s not so clear cut, but there’s better ways than to force your way out of said contract by taking your request to the media as Davis did. You can instead come to an understanding with the team that signed you to a contract.
“If you come to an agreement with the team that, hey, it’s probably best for us to part ways, that’s one thing. But the Davis stuff was really kind of groundbreaking — and hopefully not a trend, because it’s bad for the league.”
We agree. We’re all for players taking control of their careers and being where they want, but there are right ways to go about it and wrong ways. We believe that Davis should have honored his deal with New Orleans or handled it behind closed doors. What do you think?
