CONTRACT OPTIONS: THJ Opts In | WCS to opt OUT | Hayward opts OUT

[chaparral]

https://twitter.com/David_Lord_2020/stat...3895104515

As a non-Bird FA, Willie can

Sign for 120% of last year or $2.6mm
Opt in to his current contract or $2.28mm
Opt out and sign for part of the MLE
Leave

I raised another option a few weeks back which was opt out and sign for the minimum.  It is good cap manipulation, but probably not the most likely outcome as Willie would have to take a $400,000 cut to do it.  The benefit is Dallas would have a minimum hold on him in 21 rather than a $2.9mm hold.  Dallas could easily make up the extra $400,000 and them some as he will be EB next summer and can sign for up to about $10mm.

The 1 + 1 doesn't erase the concern over leaving money on the table, but it provides injury protection.  So, if you did the minimum on a 1+1, Willie is guaranteed to make up the money he missed by agreeing to the minimum should his career end.  It still isn't the most likely outcome, but David's idea makes a minimum deal more palatable.  My prediction is a 1+1 valued at $5.3 over two years and he stays in Dallas.

My fear is that they don't want him. He's not the kind of player whose plusses tend to be valued by RC.

Looks like Houston needs a center.