NBA Rumors: Boris Diaw looking for significant pay raise
By Chris Walder
After a tremendous showing in the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Boris Diaw of the San Antonio Spurs will look to command some major dollars as he enters unrestricted free agency this summer.
During San Antonio’s postseason run, Diaw averaged 9.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 23 games off the bench. He finished with a line of five points, nine rebounds and six assists in the series-clinching Game 5 victory at the AT&T Center.
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According to Mitch Lawrence of The New York Daily News, Diaw will be looking to get a new two-year deal with the Spurs worth $18-20 million.
The 32-year-old forward made $4,702,500 in 2013-14, according to Basketball Insiders. Being the age that he is, this could be the last big contract Diaw ever gets. His rebounding, interior defense and passing made life miserable for the Heat as the Spurs went on to win their fifth NBA Championship in franchise history.
It would be quite the significant raise, though.
Few other contending teams would be able to pay Diaw that kind of money, with a mid-level exception being the only realistic option. Besides, he’s a perfect fit for the Spurs’ system. Fans and media alike forgot about his weight issues as he played some of the best basketball of his career just a few weeks ago.
He signed a two-year, $9.7 million deal with the team on July 10, 2012. Fast forward two years later and Diaw could now make nearly twice as much money.
All bets lean towards Diaw remaining with the franchise, but with big bucks on the line, you can never be too sure.