The Milwaukee Bucks recently reached a buyout agreement with center Larry Sanders, due to a variety of different reasons, including drug problems. If you were following the issue, then you must have watched the ‘goodbye’ to the NBA video, Larry Sanders did, basically explaining his reasons for letting the game of basketball go. A very heart warming video, but the Milwaukee Bucks will still have to pay up big time for Larry Sanders. Before his issues, Sanders was awarded a BIG contract by the Bucks, which they are regretting.
According to Gery Woelfel of JournalTimes.com:
“In recent days, league sources claim the Bucks will use every year they are allotted under the NBA’s “stretch provision.” And that means the Bucks will pay Sanders in annual increments of approximately $1.9 million over a seven-year period. That amount will be applied to the Bucks’ salary cap each season through the 2021-2022 season.
The stretch provision allows teams to make their payments for twice the number of years remaining on a contract, plus an additional year. Sanders has three years remaining on his contract.
Sanders, who was twice suspended by the NBA for drug infractions – last season for five games and 10 games this season – will thus collect about $22 million – or half of his original $44 million deal.”
He also continued to say that the, although it is a big hit to the Bucks, it isn’t a big enough hit to hurt them that much in the future.
“Bucks general manager John Hammond and Bucks owner Herb Kohl made the egregious decision to give Sanders a contract extension in August of 2013.
It immediately brought wide-spread disbelief around the NBA, especially considering Sanders had only one quality season with the Bucks, had several run-ins with teammates and still had another season remaining on his contract before he became a restricted free agent.”
With Sanders gone in Milwaukee, the Bucks will have to rely on players such as John Henson and Miles Plumlee to fill the void of the defensive center. Sanders really contributed to the already abundant length of the Bucks, but without him, there are some holes in their defense.
