Malone a free agent

baggio248 · 06-17-2004, 10:00 AM

You knew he wasn't coming back. But I didn't think he'd take himself out. Will he retire? or pull a Clemens?

Quote:

Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- Karl Malone became a free agent Wednesday by not informing the Los Angeles Lakers that he was exercising the option on his contract.

His agent, Dwight Manley, said it was strictly a business decision and that if Malone plays for anyone next season, it will be the Lakers.

Lakers spokesman John Black said the team expected the move because Malone would have locked himself into a lower salary than he likely will be able to negotiate should he decide to play.

"His options are unlimited now," Black said.

After earning around $19 million in the 2002-03 season with the Utah Jazz, Malone joined the Lakers last summer, signing a two-year contract with a player option for the second year. He earned $1.5 million this season and would have made $1.65 million next year had he exercised his option.

Retirement is a distinct possibility for Malone, who turns 41 this summer and is the second-leading scorer in NBA history. He missed 39 games after tearing a ligament in his right knee last December, and injured the same knee again in the playoffs.

"The first priority for him is we're going to meet with doctors this week and have MRIs done on both legs, specifically his right leg," Manley said. "He has made it clear he won't play if he's not 100 percent healthy.

"I believe his heart and his competitive juices are in L.A. because he came so far and was such a factor in the Lakers' success."

Malone, who played the first 18 years of his career with the Jazz, signed with the Lakers in hopes of winning his first championship. But it didn't happen as they lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals in five games -- the finale a 100-87 setback on Tuesday night.

Malone watched from the bench in street clothes because of the knee injury.

Injured in the Western Conference finals against Minnesota, he had his knee drained five days before the finals began. He was hurt again in Game 2 of the finals and was clearly hampered in Games 3 and 4, limited to a total of 39 minutes.

He then decided to sit out Game 5. The Lakers were a different team without Malone at full strength.

"I just couldn't go (in Game 5)," he said. "Those were two of the most difficult games I've ever played. I got hurt on a freak accident. I made a cut and it just went out on me."

Manley said Malone doesn't regret signing with Los Angeles.

"He's very sure he made the right choice," Manley said.

Malone was close to Shaquille O'Neal before joining the Lakers and became even closer afterward. He also bonded with Kobe Bryant.

Malone, Bryant and Manley, who all live in Orange County, flew home together from Detroit. The 25-year-old Bryant has said Malone is like a big brother to him.

Malone's career in Utah was virtually injury-free -- he played in 1,434 of a possible 1,444 regular-season games with the Jazz.

Showtime · 06-17-2004, 10:08 AM

He's just making sure if he does play hell get paid something. I think it would be nice to have him back.
GP btw, has no where else to go. Good or bad he will most likely be back.

-jel

slaus · 06-17-2004, 10:48 AM

Malone will be a Laker next year, and Payton will be back as well because he might not even get 4.9m as a free agent. So he might as well not opt out of his contract.

Maarchk · 06-17-2004, 11:26 AM

Can we trade GP (1/4 of a guard) and Slava (1/4 of a power forward) for 1/2 of a decent big man? I mean i know brian cook will be coming up, and hopefully Ho Grant will come back out of the old people's home next year to give us what little bit of life he has left, but man, we need a real backup. Like Dan Gadzurich, who is a good defender and always tries to keep up instead of just standing around or getting tired.

whitak24 · 06-17-2004, 11:42 AM

like jel said, malone is opting out more to ensure he'll get paid next year than because he's planning to leave. although i wouldn't be surprised if he left -- how many people have we heard say "i'm coming back" and then leave

sbp · 06-17-2004, 12:51 PM

Its understandable Malone wants the ring, but got|retirement? Malone is a future hall of famer and has nothing much to prove. Why come back when he is a shadow of himself for another possible injury-ridden season.

DarkFury · 06-17-2004, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbp

Its understandable Malone wants the ring, but got|retirement? Malone is a future hall of famer and has nothing much to prove. Why come back when he is a shadow of himself for another possible injury-ridden season.

Heh... sold his soul and now has nothin' to show for it.

Maybe he can restart his beef with "Dennis Rodman" and get a WWE contract now.

CornMonkey · 06-17-2004, 01:13 PM

as for me, i want GP back. he held the team together pretty well during the season when the other guys were hurting. besides, after his playoff performance, or lack thereof, he owes the lakers another run...

brainsmile · 06-17-2004, 01:46 PM

as goofy as he was to look at the lake show missed Madsen more than they probably would admit

whitak24 · 06-17-2004, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbp

Its understandable Malone wants the ring, but got|retirement? Malone is a future hall of famer and has nothing much to prove. Why come back when he is a shadow of himself for another possible injury-ridden season.

because karl malone, even as a shadow of himself, is still better than 80% of the players in the league

zenbooty · 06-17-2004, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbp

Its understandable Malone wants the ring, but got|retirement? Malone is a future hall of famer and has nothing much to prove. Why come back when he is a shadow of himself for another possible injury-ridden season.

Simple: He wants to pass Kareem Abdul Jabbar for #1 top scorer of all time. I think he can pull it off next year if he's healthy and puts up decent numbers, if memory serves me.

Showtime · 06-17-2004, 03:33 PM

I was pretty sure he was going to play both seasons if we had won. Now I think he comes back for a ring and the scoring record is 2nd on his list. This is not really the team to be on if he wants to get the record for sure this season. He'd probably have to average around 15 a game and he said that he didn't care about the record.... Either way a Laker will hold 1st and 2nd on all time list.

-jel

Dave_7 · 06-17-2004, 04:41 PM

Karl Malone will never be remembered as a "Laker".

Dave.

DarkFury · 06-17-2004, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_7

Karl Malone will never be remembered as a "Laker".

Dave.

x 2

Showtime · 06-17-2004, 07:12 PM

Uh huh, sure.

-jel

brainsmile · 06-17-2004, 07:44 PM

Jel... do you honestly think that Malone will enter the hall of fame as a Laker? I'd like to see what you're willing to bet on that happening

bachviet · 06-17-2004, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

x 2

x3

Showtime · 06-17-2004, 08:50 PM

Give it another season. He's mad at Utah and the owner. He loves being here. He does get to choose.... And our uniforms look way better than theirs.

It would piss sooo many people off. It could happen.

-jel

ialsohaveadream · 06-17-2004, 08:53 PM

Yeah, I'm with Jel. And I can't wait to see Michael Jordan wearing his Wizards uniform in the Hall. Of course, that'll be a year or two before Emmitt Smith goes into the NFL Hall of Fame as a Cardinal.

brainsmile · 06-17-2004, 09:43 PM

I guess Gary Payton will be laker when he goes into the hall as well eh?

DarkFury · 06-17-2004, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the jello is jigglin

Give it another season. He's mad at Utah and the owner. He loves being here. He does get to choose.... And our uniforms look way better than theirs.

It would piss sooo many people off. It could happen.

-jel

Geez Jel... don't you EVER give it a "rest"

Man... Jel is to Lakers as Hang10 was to Maki.

brainsmile · 06-17-2004, 10:24 PM

doh...dude... that's some serious fighting words

As I recall... Hang10 was a bit loony about maki.

ShawnLee · 06-17-2004, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

Geez Jel... don't you EVER give it a "rest"

Man... Jel is to Lakers as Hang10 was to Maki.

Hahahahahahahahahaha.

Seriously though, I'd like to see GP and Malone stay with the Lakers. I think they could do well next season. It might be fun to see.

bachviet · 06-18-2004, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainsmile

I guess Gary Payton will be laker when he goes into the hall as well eh?

If he goes to the Hall...

ray · 06-18-2004, 08:43 AM

Is there any OTHER Faker fan who actually thinks Malone will enter the Hall of Fame as a Faker?

brainsmile · 06-18-2004, 08:43 AM

you don't think he'll get to the hall?

ialsohaveadream · 06-18-2004, 08:58 AM

Off topic, but the GP talk has brought back memories of the days when Riley tried to get GP to come to the Heat and play with Zo. Does anyone doubt that team would've won multiple championships? How about a lineup of (circa 1999) Zo, PJ Brown, Bruce Bowen, Eddie Jones, and GP? I think the other team would score maybe 50 points against that lineup. The defense would've been ridiculous.

DarkFury · 06-18-2004, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainsmile

you don't think he'll get to the hall?

Umm... I don't think that was the question being raised here... the question is being admitted to the hall and being known for the "Laker" portion of his career.

That would kinda be like Emmett Smith making it to the NFL hall being known as an Arizona Cardinal.

(no offense Dbax...

)

slaus · 06-18-2004, 12:27 PM

Payton is a hall of famer from his days with the Sonics and for nothing else. If anything his time with the Lakers or the Bucks have detracted from his career.

DaFunkyUnit · 06-18-2004, 02:36 PM

kinda like Jerry Rice inducted as a Raider.

yea, thats right. Raider Nation can suck it. whatcha gonna do?

06-17-2004, 10:08 AM	#2
Showtime Lakers fanatic Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: L.A. ->SoCal<- O.C. Posts: 7,338	He's just making sure if he does play hell get paid something. I think it would be nice to have him back. GP btw, has no where else to go. Good or bad he will most likely be back. -jel __________________ NBA REPORT 10-11/ The 3-Peat! 1948 1949 1950 1952 1953 1954 1972 1980 1982 1985 1987 1988 2000 2001 2002 2009 2010 Reigning NBA CHAMPS!

06-17-2004, 11:26 AM	#4
Maarchk Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Where the east meets the west. Posts: 3,066	Can we trade GP (1/4 of a guard) and Slava (1/4 of a power forward) for 1/2 of a decent big man? I mean i know brian cook will be coming up, and hopefully Ho Grant will come back out of the old people's home next year to give us what little bit of life he has left, but man, we need a real backup. Like Dan Gadzurich, who is a good defender and always tries to keep up instead of just standing around or getting tired. __________________ "The girl is crafty like ice is cold." "I left my heart in san francisco... And my liver at Moe's Tavern." A real friend is one who listens to you as much as they talk to you.

06-17-2004, 01:46 PM	#9
brainsmile Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: woah... why is welfareloser here with me so early in the morning and more importantly why am I wearing her clothes?!? Posts: 13,754	as goofy as he was to look at the lake show missed Madsen more than they probably would admit __________________ ********************************** DCM #1 (Founder) "Nobody beats Vitus Gerulaitis 18 times in a row." - Vitus Gerulaitis on beating Jimmy Connors after 17 failed attempts.

06-18-2004, 02:36 PM	#30
DaFunkyUnit Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: the peanut gallery Posts: 3,909	kinda like Jerry Rice inducted as a Raider. yea, thats right. Raider Nation can suck it. whatcha gonna do? __________________

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06-17-2004, 10:48 AM	#3
slaus Commander Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,189	Malone will be a Laker next year, and Payton will be back as well because he might not even get 4.9m as a free agent. So he might as well not opt out of his contract.

06-17-2004, 11:42 AM	#5
whitak24 easily amused Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: my office Posts: 9,781	like jel said, malone is opting out more to ensure he'll get paid next year than because he's planning to leave. although i wouldn't be surprised if he left -- how many people have we heard say "i'm coming back" and then leave

06-17-2004, 12:51 PM	#6
sbp Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 11,037	Its understandable Malone wants the ring, but got\|retirement? Malone is a future hall of famer and has nothing much to prove. Why come back when he is a shadow of himself for another possible injury-ridden season.

06-17-2004, 01:13 PM	#8
CornMonkey Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: May 2000 Location: in front of my computer Posts: 2,503	as for me, i want GP back. he held the team together pretty well during the season when the other guys were hurting. besides, after his playoff performance, or lack thereof, he owes the lakers another run...

06-17-2004, 03:33 PM	#12
Showtime Lakers fanatic Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: L.A. ->SoCal<- O.C. Posts: 7,338	I was pretty sure he was going to play both seasons if we had won. Now I think he comes back for a ring and the scoring record is 2nd on his list. This is not really the team to be on if he wants to get the record for sure this season. He'd probably have to average around 15 a game and he said that he didn't care about the record.... Either way a Laker will hold 1st and 2nd on all time list. -jel

06-17-2004, 04:41 PM	#13
Dave_7 Captain Join Date: May 2000 Location: L.A..... Costa Mesa... Whatever, Man! Posts: 1,824	Karl Malone will never be remembered as a "Laker". Dave.

06-17-2004, 07:12 PM	#15
Showtime Lakers fanatic Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: L.A. ->SoCal<- O.C. Posts: 7,338	Uh huh, sure. -jel

06-17-2004, 07:44 PM	#16
brainsmile Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: woah... why is welfareloser here with me so early in the morning and more importantly why am I wearing her clothes?!? Posts: 13,754	Jel... do you honestly think that Malone will enter the hall of fame as a Laker? I'd like to see what you're willing to bet on that happening

06-17-2004, 08:50 PM	#18
Showtime Lakers fanatic Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: L.A. ->SoCal<- O.C. Posts: 7,338	Give it another season. He's mad at Utah and the owner. He loves being here. He does get to choose.... And our uniforms look way better than theirs. It would piss sooo many people off. It could happen. -jel

06-17-2004, 08:53 PM	#19
ialsohaveadream Fleet Admiral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FL Posts: 8,077	Yeah, I'm with Jel. And I can't wait to see Michael Jordan wearing his Wizards uniform in the Hall. Of course, that'll be a year or two before Emmitt Smith goes into the NFL Hall of Fame as a Cardinal.

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06-17-2004, 09:43 PM	#20
brainsmile Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: woah... why is welfareloser here with me so early in the morning and more importantly why am I wearing her clothes?!? Posts: 13,754	I guess Gary Payton will be laker when he goes into the hall as well eh?

06-17-2004, 10:24 PM	#22
brainsmile Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: woah... why is welfareloser here with me so early in the morning and more importantly why am I wearing her clothes?!? Posts: 13,754	doh...dude... that's some serious fighting words As I recall... Hang10 was a bit loony about maki.

06-18-2004, 08:43 AM	#25
ray captain awesome Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,054	Is there any OTHER Faker fan who actually thinks Malone will enter the Hall of Fame as a Faker?

06-18-2004, 08:58 AM	#27
ialsohaveadream Fleet Admiral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FL Posts: 8,077	Off topic, but the GP talk has brought back memories of the days when Riley tried to get GP to come to the Heat and play with Zo. Does anyone doubt that team would've won multiple championships? How about a lineup of (circa 1999) Zo, PJ Brown, Bruce Bowen, Eddie Jones, and GP? I think the other team would score maybe 50 points against that lineup. The defense would've been ridiculous.

06-18-2004, 12:27 PM	#29
slaus Commander Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,189	Payton is a hall of famer from his days with the Sonics and for nothing else. If anything his time with the Lakers or the Bucks have detracted from his career.