Option declined, future in doubt
The old saying in the NBA goes, “After three years, you are who you are.” Some teams, though, don’t have the patience to wait that much time to get returns on their draft investments. Joe Alexander of the Milwaukee Bucks and JR Giddens of the Boston Celtics were some of the victims this week.
It’s probably devastating news for a young player… and with a reason. At least, based on history.
Research shows that first-round picks that didn’t get options of their first NBA contract picked up usually don’t last long in the league after that first deal expires. Probably not a big surprise, but these are the numbers…
Of all the NBA players drafted in the first round between 2003 and 2007, 24 became free agents sooner than expected after having contract options declined. Among that group, only eight remain in the league today. Those would be Marcus Banks, Antoine Wright, Shelden Williams, Patrick O’Bryant, Shannon Brown, Quincy Douby, Rodney Carney and Marcus Williams. Only Brown and Banks, who has barely ever played the past two years, have a contract in place for next season.
THE DECLINED 24: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
2003 Draft
- Marcus Banks (Toronto).
Reece Gaines (Biella, Italy).
Troy Bell (Cremona, Italy).
Zoran Planinic (CSKA Moscow, Russia)
Ndudi Ebi (Rimini, Italy)
2004 Draft
Rafael Araujo (Paulistano, Brazil)
Luke Jackson (Ferrara, Italy)
Pavel Podkolzin (Lokomotiv Novosybirsk, Russia)
Sergey Monya (Dynamo Moscow, Russia)
2005 Draft
Yaroslav Korolev (free agent)
- Antoine Wright (Toronto)
Gerald Green (free agent)
Julius Hodge (free agent)
Wayne Simien (retired)
2006 Draft
- Shelden Williams (Boston)
- Patrick O’Bryant (Toronto)
Saer Sene (Hyeres-Toulon, France)
Cedric Simmons (Peristeri, Greece)
- Quincy Douby (Toronto)
- Rodney Carney (Philadelphia)
- Marcus Williams (Memphis)
- Shannon Brown (LA Lakers)
Maurice Ager (Cajasol Sevilla, Spain)
2007 Draft
Morris Almond (free agent)
* Ian Mahinmi, Oleksiy Pecherov, Acie Law, Sean Williams, Javaris Crittenton, Alando Tucker, Joe Alexander and JR Giddens had contract options declined too, but they are playing out their current deals.
Mike Said,
November 3, 2009 @ 8:58 am
With the salary-cap going down next season, some teams might give some of these players another chance at a “cheap” contract.
Gary Said,
November 3, 2009 @ 9:05 am
“Only Banks, who has barely ever played the past two years, has a contract in place for next season.”
And Shannon Brown.
cafguy Said,
November 3, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
Hilarious…my Raptors are the proud owners of…
Patrick O’Bryant
Quincy Douby
Marcus Banks
Antoine Wright
…and that’s not all….we HAD…
Luke Jackson
Raphael Araujo and isn’t Michael Bradley a honorary member of this list? I mean really picking up his option (i think Philly did) was just obviously a mistake.
The thin line that seperates the greats from the scrubs isn’t so obvious to many NBA gms.
Yanni C Said,
November 3, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
I think Alexander is talented enough for other teams to take a look at him next year. I also think that Oleksiy Pecherov, Sean Williams, Javaris Crittenton & Alando Tucker will also remain in the league with other teams . ( minimum contracts)
ad Said,
November 3, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
why is everyone saying joe is the highest to be declined when shelden williams is on that list?
Brian Boitono Said,
November 3, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
I dont know the first as to wether Joe Alexander can ball or not(he could at WV) . If I was a bucks fan I would be extremely PO’d that you draft a guy that high and give up on him in 1 full season. Didnt he come out after his Sophmore year???? I know he has some freaky Hops and his J was starting to come around, what can you really expect from a 20 yo in 1year. I see the kid From UCLA they drafted in the 2nd round that same year is playing well, but he is older and is more polished as a role player. Any Bucks fans have any insight on this? id be interested in hearing
Noah Said,
November 3, 2009 @ 5:47 pm
My impression of the Joe Alexander problem is the following:
He’s essentially a guard or a perimeter SF. Mbah a Moute is strong, and can play the 3 and 4. Alexander is weak.
Alexander can’t defend. He has very little lateral quickness, no strength, and poor instincts. He has potential as a shot blocker because of his ups and relatively long arms, but his inability to play inside otherwise hinders that. Most shot blockers who lack strength are very tall (e.g., Camby). Alexander is about 6′8″ or less.
If he’s a perimeter player, his passing, ball handling and jump shooting are a disaster. If he were an interior 3, or a 4 (like the position ‘Melo plays a lot of the time), those things wouldn’t matter. But the lack of strength means he needs to play on the perimeter.
All that said, he’s a pretty young guy. There’s certainly a sense that the Bucks are dropping him so they can replace him with a minimum salary and avoid a potential tax hit. In a better economy, or on a team with more money, he might have survived another day to try to learn to play on the outside or put on some weight/strength to play inside. I think the guys whose options aren’t getting picked up this year may have more chance than past guys, because some of these decisions are more economic and less talent-based.
Steveo Said,
November 4, 2009 @ 8:04 am
Alexander was 2nd in the benchpress for the 2008 combine, so I don’t think its his strength that’s the issue. I think it’s his general lack of skill. The guy is an athletic freak, and thats what he got by on at WV.
rich Said,
November 4, 2009 @ 11:20 am
shannon brown will be getting a contract from the lake show, i would think hes bringing a lot to the defending champs.Has anyone seen the highlights i have??
Calvin Said,
November 4, 2009 @ 11:37 am
With the salary cap going down next year pro teams are no longer have the luxury of keeping fringe players to develop. It’s either improve and produce during your rookie contract or see ya. A team will be made up of starters, veteran backups, and its #1 draft pick and that’s it. Will the NBA even keep a second round in its draft? There are a lot of good to decent talent that can play in the NBA but unless they have a solid contract
most NBA can’t afford to give them a look because the money is tied up to some aging veteran backup or some overpaid star.
Noah Said,
November 4, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
bench press is almost meaningless when, like Alexander, you have no lower body strength.
Arnold Said,
November 5, 2009 @ 4:04 pm
Plain and simple it is a shame that the economy is basically ruining players lives cuz some like shannon brown are talented just never got the chance to shine and alexander from what ive seen is just another college player that dont cut it wit the big boys he is better off just playing out this contract and heading overseas to develop come back in 2-3 years and say look at me now, some have been succesful at that
nunya Said,
November 5, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
Yeah, I was noticing how many of these guys are or were Raptors..and yet Jim Kelley still has a job…