But he's not worth 17 years. Now that they know he's not signing they can get 2 or 3 guys for the price of Kovy, plus it helps them long term with Doughty and other young guys they need to resign
it is the way the salary is structured. He isnt going to play 17 years for NJ, and that is not the intent. the contract is front-loaded and its really just a 10 or 11 year contract. The final 5-7 years of that deal is going the at league minimum. that is done to bring the overall average yearly salary down against the salary cap. they have done that in sports for years and years
(magic johnson signed a 20 year, 25million contract in 80's for the same reason). Also, they will probably be a clause to tear it up and re-negotiate in 5 to 7 years. The 17 years is to bring down the average yearly salary so it fits better under the cap, no one expects Kovy to play for 17 more years and this contract CERTAINLY wont last that long.
I really don't know what Kings fans would have to bitch about right now. They are in about as good of shape as anyone in the league as far as young talent and cap space.
they have everything to bitch about - they pay money for tickets and want and deserve a winner. LA fans been waiting since 1968, and the team has only been out of the 2nd round, what once, in 1993? This is LA, not St Louis, or Columbus, or some other small market. This is the big time, if they cant afford to put a winner on the ice, I say shit or get off the pot.
I put the blame on Lombardi, he should have locked Kovy up - You never saw Jerry West get played like this. I can only hope and assume that they have something else in the works. but it will have to be a trade and that was a great part of the deal in getting Kovy, they didnt have to give up anyone, it was just an addition to the already loaded roster. They could have got Kovy without having to give up anyone on the roster, a deal like this WILL NOT come along again during the window of opportunity for this Kings team. Its similar to if the Lakers passed on getting Shaq from Orlando, thinking they can just get 2 or 3 more players and be better. it doesnt work that way. The kings from here on are going to be like the Lakers if they never got Shaq from Orlando. But thats the way it always has been for the kings.
Now any player they go after is going to be a trade and they are gonna have to give up players on the roster.
They are gonna need to take 2 steps back, to take 3 steps forward. While adding Kovy would have been a giant 2 steps forward without giving up anything.
The bottom line can be measured in the playoffs next year. Do you the Kings make it out of the first round? are the kings a contender like they should be RIGHT NOW, or is it still wait till next year? ...kings fans already know the answer.
