DHam waiting on Ollie situation

[Greathusky]

I really really hate this thread. Now I am grumpy.

 

[otp85]

Hamilton wants to play for us, he wants to play for KO. Atleast that's the feel I get from everything I've heard him say. He's skeptical about the LOI and given what happened to his brother I can't blame him. I'd be shocked if both weren't in Storrs next year

 

[SellersElbow]

Like all good point guards and coaches, KO is a strategic thinker. Therefore, he is working his contract renegotiations perfectly. This article only helps his cause. If he wasn't so shrewd, we wouldn't want him to be the one coaching DHam in Storrs next year, as he will be soon enough.

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

KO is not going to sign the restructured UConn contract this week and will listen to NBA offers per Kevin Duffy source close to KO. It's the right thing to do on his part. I don't think he leaves, but why not try to see what your value is on the open market.

Is there some knowledge/report that he has actually been contacted by the Lakers then?

 

[UConn Dan]

that is not how the blog post was worded, Duffy said negotiations are underway, he didn't say KO wasn't going to sign the contract and listen to NBA offers. It doesn't even sound like a deal is even in place yet.

Below is exactly what it says. Take it for what it's worth. Though it sounds like he will hold out on signing until he talks to nba teams first.

Although Kevin Ollie’s negotiations with UConn are underway, a source close to the head coach doesn’t anticipate anything happening this week in regards to a new contract.

The source confirmed that Ollie, a national champion in just his second season, would at least listen to NBA offers.

 

[otp85]

Does anyone else feel like he may be playing the NBA talks to get more money from UCONN? If so, bravo KO. And please, let's just pay him whatever he wants now.

 

[UMass]

I will be shocked if KO leaves UConn, and this from a fan of a team that had both Calipari and Travis Ford. My sleaze detector is finely tuned. KO exudes both character and class and I can't see him going now. I think you will eventually lose him to the NBA but by then you guys will probably have so many NC's nobody will want to play you anyway!!

 

[sportsart]

The source Chief confirmed that Ollie, a national champion in just his second season, would at least listen to NBA offers.

Fixed it.

 

[Deleted member 3149]

Ollie isn't going anywhere.

 

[Inyatkin]

William Paxton ‏@wspaxton 1m
According to a source, neither the Lakers or the Pistons were the NBA team that contacted Kevin Ollie's camp over the weekend. #UConn
So, who was it? Thunder planning ahead?

 

[dogpause]

Ollie needs to do what Calipari did and make a firm and unambiguous statement that he is not going anywhere. It's hurting him on the recruiting trail.

 

[8893]

William Paxton ‏@wspaxton 1m
According to a source, neither the Lakers or the Pistons were the NBA team that contacted Kevin Ollie's camp over the weekend. #UConn
So, who was it? Thunder planning ahead?

That would be my guess. They've been interested for a while from what I've heard. Wouldn't be surprised if they heard the Lakers rumors (including the purported intent that KO would help influence Durant) and wanted to tell his camp to sit tight if they are entertaining NBA offers because OKC wants likely wants to consider him, barring at least another Finals run.

 

[bobbyinaz]

William Paxton ‏@wspaxton 1m
According to a source, neither the Lakers or the Pistons were the NBA team that contacted Kevin Ollie's camp over the weekend. #UConn
So, who was it? Thunder planning ahead?

Warriors?

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

Ollie needs to do what Calipari did and make a firm and unambiguous statement that he is not going anywhere. It's hurting him on the recruiting trail.

Because Calipari is a man of his word? http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/mar/27/john-calipari-insists-memphis-where-i-want-coach/

 

[8893]

Ollie needs to do what Calipari did and make a firm and unambiguous statement that he is not going anywhere. It's hurting him on the recruiting trail.

I'd bet that Ollie is telling that to any recruit who will listen (just as DHam reported), but in contract negotiations it's not something you take off the table until you are getting paid for it. He can be the most loyal guy in the world, but at the end of the day this is business. And it is bad business to voluntarily reduce your market value while you are trying to negotiate a long-term contract for your services--especially when you have had arguably the best possible year you are ever likely to have in terms of expectations and results. It will be hard to go up from here, except to sustain this level, which as we know is easier said than done once the expectations are raised and you are being paid to meet them consistently.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Below is exactly what it says. Take it for what it's worth. Though it sounds like he will hold out on signing until he talks to nba teams first.

That's not a conclusion supported by the text. All it says is that they don't think the contract will be finished this week, not that KO is waiting to listen on NBA offers.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

It's hurting him on the recruiting trail.

Says who?

Do you really think any recruit is putting more stock in the anonymous sources than they are in whatever KO is telling them directly?

If he wasn't currently involved in renegotiating his contract, I would agree with you. The threat of leaving increases his leverage and the value of his new deal.

 

[dogpause]

I think KO is going to get every dollar that UConn can pay him. There's no room for gamesmanship on UConn's part.

 

[aceboon]

Ollie needs to do what Calipari did and make a firm and unambiguous statement that he is not going anywhere. It's hurting him on the recruiting trail.

...and you know this how? Are you out there talking to recruits? I doubt any of them are reading these blog posts and are instead paying attention to the fact that they actually see KO in attendance at their AAU games and *gasp* in their homes for visits. You guys who keep mentioning this aren't even worried about recruits, you want KO to come out and make some printed statement to ease your own paranoid fears.

 

[UConn Dan]

That's not a conclusion supported by the text. All it says is that they don't think the contract will be finished this week, not that KO is waiting to listen on NBA offers.

Bruce, can I call you Bruce? With the juxtaposition of those two statements one could reasonably conclude that Ollie will listen to NBA offers prior to signing a new contract with UConn. Additionally, to do the reverse would not be to his advantage in negotiations and would reflect terribly upon his image.

 

[James]

If the Thunder or Warriors have reached out, It will be tough for KO to turn that down. Both of those teams are title contenders. It makes sense that OKC is in talks, Presti is enamored with Ollie. He was at senior night, for Ollie.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Kobe, with his knees and other problems is getting to be a non factor.
I cannot see KO bolting, first - his family loves CT and will probably not move
Second - JC put a lot on the line for KO and JC would be dissappointed if KO bolts - I know it's a business decision but the bond between KO and JC is more than just a coach/explayer bond

Why would you want to coach on the downslope of Kobe's career?

 

[CL82]

The stars are aligning to give Kevin a decent UConn contract.
1) Get good APR results
2) Win the national championship
3) Have NBA teams express an interest in him
4) Have media play him up as one of the best coaches in college basketball
5) Have star recruit say that he'll only attend if KO stays.

Check, check, check, check and check.

Now Warde and Susan need to write a big check.

 

[DogMania]

I had thought UConn had finally distanced themselves from uncertainties that could impact our recruiting. I hope they complete this new contract ASAP before this undoes the recruiting momentum that KO has created.

 

[huskiesnyc]

I had thought UConn had finally distanced themselves from uncertainties that could impact our recruiting. I hope they complete this new contract ASAP before this undoes the recruiting momentum that KO has created.

I'm willing to bet UConn has already written a really big check, but at the same time KO needs to cash it.