for a similar deal to the one Luis Scola signed (3 years at a bit more than 3 million a year I believe and sham sports confirms) then I would be pleased. We would give a young solid international player who has a mind for defense a chance on the King’s sounds good to me ONLY if the price is right. Otherwise I suggest drafting well and patience.

(sham link – http://shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/rockets.jsp)

Just as a further thought David Anderson (whose contract is extremely favorable) was playing very good ball in europe and we see the contract he was offered and accepted as well a little UNDER 3 million per year. What makes Splitter so special that he feels he deserves MORE than 5 million per year when their is (in my opinion) no precedent for such a contract given the unproven nature (at least in the NBA) or Splitter’s game. I’m not saying that I do not think he would develop into a Marc Gasol/Luis Scola type (though he supposedly has better athletic ability than either of those two) he appears to have the game to be a solid starter for several years but I’m not for throwing money into a player who may or may not be very good. Also, another example is Juan Carlos Navarro. He played pretty well his lone season in Memphis but his contract was not above 5 million it was in the 2-3 range as well and he was one of the premier European guards.

Just food for thought.

I thought I was right… I just could not remember for sure.

Link

When a team signs a first round draft pick within three years after he is drafted, they use the salary scale for the year in which he signs (usually the player signs in the same year he is drafted). After three years they have the option of either using the salary scale or signing him like he was a free agent — using their cap room, the Mid-Level exception, the exception or the Disabled Player exception, and with standard raises. They can only do the latter if the player did not play intercollegiately in the interim, and such a contract must be for at least three seasons.