Jodie Meeks not willing to sign for the veteran’s minimum – NBA News
Jodie Meeks has found himself in that awkward position where he is not happy with the money being offered to him in prospective deals with teams around the NBA.
The free agency period is slowly dying down and there are only a handful of players left who are without contracts. On the other hand, teams have also spent most of the money and in such a situation, Meeks is unlikely to get a
big pay day. He however is still hoping for it.
Meeks started 50 games for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, and his agents are currently in talks with the Los Angeles Lakers for a possible deal. The Lakers are offering him the veteran’s minimum, where as Meeks representatives
are adamant that he is worth much more than that.
Meeks agent, David Bauman, spoke to the Los Angeles Times and said:
“We’re happy to talk, but we’re not talking minimum for a guy like Jodie. He’ll get more than the minimum wherever he signs.”
The Lakers have spent big money this summer as they landed Steve Nash in a sign and trade with the Phoenix Suns. They are already over the luxury tax and at this point, General Manager Mitch Kupchak is only offering the veteran’s
minimum to Meeks.
Judging from Bauman’s comments, we might not see Meeks in a Lakers jersey next season, but then again it is the NBA and anything can happen.
Meeks averaged 8.4 points a game last season, going 40.9% from the field. He would make a nice backup guard in any team, that is if he agrees to a contract.
The new CBA rules have changed the way teams are looking at reserve players. They are not willing to pay big contracts to them. Besides, it’s been more than a month since free agency began and most teams have already capped out
their salary status by signing free agents. At this point in the summer, the veteran’s minimum is probably what most teams are going to offer Meeks. It is now up to his agents to find a better contract or Meeks might end up playing for the minimum.
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