Sixers 94 Knicks 86
In a surprising development, Latrell Sprewell said yesterday he is leaning toward accepting the Knicks’ risk-laden two-year contract-extension offer as opposed to their maxi-mum five-year $61.87 million offer.
Sprewell was expected to make his decision yesterday but is putting it off until either today or tomorrow. It’s rather stunning Spree would be willing to leave $40 million of guaranteed money on the table, considering his well-documented past troubles that could always hurt his market value down the road.
Even last night, Sprewell made another guffaw. On the cusp of signing a new deal, Spree arrived 45 minutes late to the locker room for the 94-86 pre-season loss to the the Sixers at the Garden. Spree arrived into the locker room at 6:45 p.m. – just 45 minutes before tip-off.
“Clock,” yelled one teammate as Spree arrived.
Sprewell said he was waiting in the ramp for his brother to take the two kids – presumably relatives – who drove with him to the game. Sprewell said his brother got lost following him on the way to the Garden. It is unknown if Spree will be fined for this latest transgression.
Sprewell had told a close associate Monday he was leaning toward long-term and that’s how the Players’ Assn. figured he was going, too, after speaking with agent Robert Gist Tuesday. But apparently after hearing the numbers Gist laid out for him Tuesday night, he may be willing to take the risk and give less of a commitment to the Knicks.
“That’s the way I feel right now,” said Spree. “But I don’t want to etch that in stone because I really don’t know. It could change tomorrow or tonight. I’m still close. I just feel I’m leaning that way. I may change my mind.”
Over the last few days, Sprewell said it was too close to call, but it’s known Gist was hoping Spree took the safe route – the safest being a four-year deal with his option on a fifth year.
However, the risk could show rewards if Spree doesn’t get injured or doesn’t make another colossal blunder such as choking a coach. After the two-year $21.3M extension expires, Sprewell would be in line to make between $14-17 million a year on another four-year extension. That is if he’s still playing at prime-level at age 32. Another strong possibility – to slightly lessen the risk – is signing a two-year deal with a third-year player option.
“It’s not official, I’m just leaning one way,” Sprewell said. “It’s a big decision. Hopefully, I’ll let them know (today) and Friday by sure. Definitely by Friday. I want to take my time. I feel rushed almost.”
Marcus Camby, Spree’s best friend on the team, was very surprised Spree may go short-term.
“The longer term is there for him,” Camby said. “I definitely know he wants to be here. I always thought he’d sign long-term. It’s surprising. My opinion is definitely for him to sign long term. I’m going to be here for the long term so I want my best friend around.”
The Knicks appear to be getting anxious. Knick GM Scott Layden said he would like to know by today. Layden would not say which way the Knicks prefer, having Latrell on a long-term deal or short-term. It is believed they wouldn’t be upset at all at a shorter-term deal because of Spree’s erratic behavior that surfaced when he missed the Charleston training camp without phoning earlier this month.
In fact, the Knicks may have purposely given him all these options, hoping Spree would go the short route. Had the Knicks just offered the five-year maximum deal, Spree likely would’ve taken it without a thought.
(Different version in the metro edition.)