tremonthustler1
aka bx_representer
The Clippers have proven that if your star player walks for nothing, your team doesn't automatically die; you just better have a plan in place. The threat of Jimmy walking away is not as bad as the threat of him opting in.Playoff teams like Memphis and Milwaukee were named. Toronto, Brooklyn, the bottom teams - all willing to facilitate and take on bad contracts to get the deal done.
Part of the issue is that Jimmy has a lot of leverage here. He has a Player Option on his final year, which means he can signal to teams to sign him with an extension or eat 52 mil next year and watch him walk. Miami is having trouble getting a deal done partly because everyone know this. Outside of being a Free Agent or having a No Trade Clause, this is one of the best spots to be in as a player.
Hence, why everyone is putting blame on the Heat for coming into the season with Jimmy not extended after Riley bad mouthed him last summer. Jimmy is a dikk but he's a known dikk. Why would you put him in a situation where you know he will act up?
The last question has a very easy answer:
When Jimmy has been a dikk, nobody blamed Jimmy. People blamed the franchises he was on. Miami unlike the other teams he was on had a lot of built in goodwill for many many reasons.