I mean, Dennis last deal when he signed with the hawks was 4 yr/$70m. Like $17m a year. The extension with the Lakers would’ve been a lil pay bump, in the midsts of his best season. So I understand where he was coming from. But the injury/timing messed his money up.
It’s all about timing and the market. Like, those 2016 contracts were wild. Even Turner $18m PER YEAR. Allan Crabbe got a 4 yr/$75m deal.
Four years ago, the Blazers had plenty of money. Here’s how they spent it.
www.blazersedge.com
Otto Porter had a 4yr/$106m contract that year

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Dennis ain’t peep the market diving. And the Lakers failing and gun getting hurt just made matters worse. This wouldn’t be as big of a deal, If it wasn’t the Lakers/LeBron talk. This has happened plenty of times.
Victor Oladipo turned down a 2yr/ $45m deal last season with Hou, and had to resign for the minimum this year. And nobody is going in, like they are with Dennis.