Put another one in the plus column for Dell Demps

[MichaelMcNamara]

So we have finally uncovered the exact contract details with regard to Robin Lopez's deal. Next year, the Hornets have two options with Lopez and a deadline of July 5th to make them.

Option 1: Let him walk and pay him just $500,000

Option 2: Pick up his option for that season for $5.12 million

If he picks option two, he will have a similar decision to make the following summer

Option 1: Let him walk and you owe him NOTHING

Option 2: Pick up 5.34 million dollar contract

Why is this so brilliant? Because of the date. Teams can start negotiating on July 1st with free agents. Dell can go after the big fish for those first 4 days, knowing that he can decline Lopez's option for max cap room if needed. If he swings and misses on the big fish, he can pick up Lopez's option at a reasonable salary.

Dell has put himself in a no lose position with that one little detail. Bravo

[nolaslim213]

Nice find. Demps is a master at his craft. Love his work.

[kinglio21093]

Mr. Demps just putting in work.

[WhoDatPelican]

[PelsFan2313]

Wow. He absolutely nailed that deal.

[nolaslim213]

Makes him a great trade piece too, if we choose to go that route.

[BP225]

That's much better than I expected. Maybe you should be more accepting of Lopez getting more minutes than he deserves, that could have been part of the deal.

[Hornetnojersey]

Wow! How did he get Lopez to agree to that deal

[42]

Heaven forbid anyone belive Lopez is not as good as Smith, Anderson, and Davis and that minutes should be allocated accordingly.

A better reason to be understanding is that while Smith's minutes have been on the rise since he's arrived, he and Monty know his style necessarily limits his minutes.

[42]

Wow! How did he get Lopez to agree to that deal

Lopez was a RFA with a QO on the table and no real interest. The chance at $5m+ is superior to the single year QO for less money than this deal this year.

[BP225]

Heaven forbid anyone belive Lopez is not as good as Smith, Anderson, and Davis and that minutes should be allocated accordingly.

I agree with that he's the 4th best big, I'm just saying if Demps had to promise Lopez a role to get such a cheap buyout, it was probably worth stealing a few minutes from Smith and Anderson in a rebuilding year.

[RaisingTheBar]

Wow! How did he get Lopez to agree to that deal

He said "hey how would you like to start?"

[smcgull]

It is great having a GM who knows his way around all those numbers.

[Biasvasospasm]

That's terrific. Pretty much ensures this won't be a bad contract or limit flexibility, and if he continues the level of play so far this year it's a plus contract which teams will want to trade for.

[Trell]

This is good work, sorta like tricking a baby out of his toy for 5 cents.. Ehhh I suck.

[groundpatty]

Demps is the ideal small-market gm. knows how to maximize every deal

[Vinny6420]

Wow that is quite awesome

[Perth_Hornet]

Will 5 days negotiation with big fish be enough time doe?

Seems an awfully short window to me.

[MichaelMcNamara]

Will 5 days negotiation with big fish be enough time doe?

Seems an awfully short window to me.

Those top level guys usually agree by July 3rd at the latest. Often times, they have a deal in place by July 1st.

LeBron dragged it out, but let's be real- Hornets are never getting a FA of that caliber. A Josh Smith or Iggy type will agree in that small of a window. Most do