Negotiations in the NBA

photo: NBA.com

Due to the nature of the conversation revealed in the interview, I could not reveal my NBA source because they are actively involved in a high level role with the NBA.  My NBA source has been negotiating deals for several years plus.  Their wealth of experience ranges from players, to management and working with several different NBA teams.

Without further delay, here is a summary of my interview with My NBA Source:

DNS - Question 1:

Has your personal relationship with a player gotten in the way of business on the court?

My NBA Source - Answer 1:

photo: bleacher report.com

My relationship has not personally gotten in the way, but it can.  Guys know that the stats dictate the financial gain.  Guys are playing for their numbers.  Not getting the time or the touches they feel they deserve can cause problems.  What most players don’t understand is winning in the long run will provide the payout.

DNS - Question 2:

Have you ever assumed a negative thought about a player based on what your heard or read and your perception was totally wrong?

My NBA Source- Answer 2:

Yes.  The key is to do your homework on trades.  Background work needs to be done.  Also do your homework on other positions like trainers, coaches, equipment managers, etc.  You must have everyday interaction/conversation with each of those members to better the relationship. If a guy is unhappy he just needs a clean slate.  Sometimes a trade is the best option.  After talking with a guy in a new situation he proves he is not as bad as you thought.  A lot of circumstances play a part.  Social media causes a lot of issues/questions also, like is he a racist?  Is he sexist? That baggage carries everywhere you go.

DNS - Question 3:

Have you ever placed yourself in a player’s shoes to imagine what their life is like?

My NBA Source - Answer 3:

All the time!  As management it’s a tough situation.  It’s business where the player is placed between the lines on the court.  Personal issues cause issues at work but you need to separate your personal life when you’re at work.  Players have their own thinking about security or financial security.  There is a short window for the players but the best situation is to help the team.

DNS - Question 4:

Was there a time when you had to haggle with a player so he would do his job like play ball or go to practice or to court (judge)?

My NBA Source - Answer 4:

Not personally, but I have been around it.  You have to find the right buttons to motivate the player for the best of the team.  You may ask, what is his motivation? To be the best player on the team, the league or is it just money…maybe all of it.  Pressure from other players, your agent, and extended family play a role.  There are a lot of dynamics.  These kids are only 21 or 22 years old with a lot of pressure.  They don’t think about the end of their careers.  Right now, it's just the limelight and social status.

DNS - Question 5:

Has there ever been a negative outcome when a player or an executive did not get his way?

My NBA Source - Answer 5:

Guys just quit or don’t want to practice.  The only thing you can do is fine them or suspend them.  The best way for a player to get out of a bad situation is to play well.  Another team will want you if you play well.  If you don’t play well the baggage will linger. Players sign a contract one year and the next year they have a break out season.  They see their play is above their contract and they want more money, but their stuck.  They forget, no one forced you to sign the contract.

DNS - Question 6:

Has there ever been a situation where too many people needed to make a decision, such as player’s contract and the outcome was good?

 My NBA Source - Answer 6:

Yes, but it’s tough when more people are involved.  The norm is to hear from the board of governors for the direction of the hiring.  The problem is investing $100M in a player and then a debate comes where a General Manager (GM) and President makes decision on signings.  They want to be kept in loop with the CFO and the business plan.  It boils down to the GM.  It’s a back and forth situation for most owners.

DNS - Question 7:

Have you ever recognized any dirty tricks during negotiations?

My NBA Source - Answer 7:

Coaches and reps use teams and use media as leverage.  A job opens up for a coach during contract renegotiations.  If another team has some interest, a coach uses that as leverage.  It’s up to another team to check the source from the media.  But using the media is a big source where all teams are looking at.  It helps bolster a coach’s position during contract talks.

DNS - Question 8:

Has anyone ever deliberately tried to sabotage a deal?

 My NBA Source - Answer 8:

My gut would say yes, but I have never personally been a witness to anything.  I knew of a player sabotaging a deal in his favor.  The player knew his situation wasn’t working out.  He knew the team would cut him and would not have to pay him, but you can’t cut an injured player.  Mysteriously, he had an injury in the exact same area in both of his legs.  The doctor stated there is no possible way he could naturally do this (be injured in the exact same areas of both legs).  Either way, it bought him a couple additional years in the league.  Another team took a chance with him in his twilight years and he retired as he liked. 

DNS - Question 9:

Has anyone ever claimed to promise you something and you knew they could not deliver in the negotiation (like put up a bunch of points or etc.)?

My NBA Source - Answer 9:

Contract incentives.  Incentives like, making the All Star team, minutes played and finishing in top four in the league and the team will pay you $100 thousand or $1 million in bonus money.  If a player does not get his minutes it turns into a situation of putting pressure on coaches and the team.  In return, players are pissed at coaches for not playing them.  The flip side…a player is averaging double digits in points and he needs to keep his stats in orders to receive his $100 thousand incentive.  There are only three games left in the season and a player won’t ruin his double-digit average and risk losing his bonus.  Then you hear player’s excuses like, my back hurts and I cannot play.  This guarantees his $100k bonus.  It’s all about winning.

This concludes my interview with My NBA Source.