aboz56 Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls are close to reaching a contract settlement with Jay Williams, recuperating from a motorcycle accident that has jeopardized his career. Bill Duffy, Williams' agent, said Thursday he expected the buyout to be finalized within the next few days. "We're looking at the 'T's getting crossed and the 'I's getting dotted," Duffy said. "We're obviously extremely grateful to [bulls chairman] Jerry Reinsdorf. He has done something that he is not obligated to do, which basically is to give Jay quite a handsome settlement." The buyout was first reported by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Riding a motorcycle violates the standard NBA contract, and the Bulls could have terminated Williams' deal after the accident June 19. Instead, they put the No. 2 pick in the 2002 draft on injured reserve and continued to pay him. By buying Williams out -- the settlement is believed to be worth more than $3 million -- the Bulls gain a roster spot and added flexibility with the salary cap. It also gives Williams options, including the possibility of re-signing with the Bulls if he returns to the NBA. "His desire would be to play with the Bulls," Duffy said. "But if that's not mutually acceptable, he has other options." Williams is currently rehabbing at Duke, where he went to school. He would still like to have a role with the Bulls, though, and Duffy said Williams will talk with general manager John Paxson about possibly doing some charitable work. Williams was riding his new motorcycle to dinner June 19 when the powerful street bike got away from him and slammed into a utility pole. He was thrown onto a grassy curb, face down from the waist up, his left leg tilting grotesquely upward. He severed a main nerve in his leg, fractured his pelvis and tore three of the four main ligaments in his left knee. He spent two weeks at a Chicago hospital before being transferred to Duke University Medical Center, where he continues to rehab. "His spirits are great and he's doing extremely well," Duffy said. "In the last month or so, I've noticed a pep in his voice, a bounce in his step. He's getting better. I think he's over the arduous rehab. He's on his feet now, a lot more mobile." But where Williams really wants to be is back on the basketball court. Though returning to the NBA seems to be a long shot with an injury that severe, Duffy said that remains Williams' goal. "The biggest hurdle is going to be nerve regeneration," Duffy said. "That's a very slow process. He's going to do everything he possibly can to get back on the basketball court." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 It will be interesting to see how the Bulls fill the roster spot. Could be that Ely and Jaric for Fizer trade, or another NBDL signing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Buyout, Bullcrap. They owe him nothing. He breached his contract. They should of just opted out of the contract and said SEE YA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFanForever Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Buyout, Bullcrap. They owe him nothing. He breached his contract. They should of just opted out of the contract and said SEE YA! I'm glad not everyone thinks like you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 If he comes back and takes money somewhere else instead of giving the Bulls first crack, though I'd say that's pretty weak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 I'm glad not everyone thinks like you. Jay was caught on an ESPN show on his bike saying he didn't care if he wasn't suppose to be on his bike, then later crashes, bringing him to this point. Tell me what the Bulls owe him? Basketball is also a business, people shouldn't get too attached to players except in unique situations. It was good the Bulls helped in his recovery and all that, but as far as buying out the contract, they shouldn't have to. They should just rip it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 I would guess that the $3,000,000 bought them something. Perhaps a release from insurance or disability claims. Even though the accident was against his contract, he was still injured and probably entitled to disability pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonWeltall Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Jay Williams doesn't deserve s***. He wasn't injured on the job, he was injured doing something in direct violation of his job. Cut his ass and see if any other teams want a small, gimpy, Duke guard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 I would guess that the $3,000,000 bought them something. Perhaps a release from insurance or disability claims. Even though the accident was against his contract, he was still injured and probably entitled to disability pay. It did buy them something Tex, and congrats for being the one to think outside of the box. #1 it bought them a roster spot, that could be used to either facilitate a 2-1 type deal, or to sign another FA. #2 it gets them out of a long term contract that was scheduled to cost them a lot more #3 It gives them first crack at Jwill should he return to the NBA, and it guarentees them to only pay the NBA min to get him back. #4 It gives the team good publicity for once in the way they deal with their players, countering all of the sabatouge that MJ did. #5 It saves all of the appeals and lawsuits that would have been filed if the Bulls had simply voided the contract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rauch611 Posted February 1, 2004 Share Posted February 1, 2004 I thought I heard they bought him out on Friday or Saturday---cannot confirm this though because when K.C. Johnson of the Tribune wrote the article he also said details of what the Bulls released to the Media were too broad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pale Hose Jon Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 3 million for the remaining two years of the deal. Just announced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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