Or more appropriately, where’s he going to play?
Bonzi Wells entered free agency optimistically, hoping to parlay a 23-point/12-rebound playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs into a fat contract this summer. Surely Wells knew that GMs around the league would look at his season averages of 13.6 ppg/7.7 rpg as more reasonable expectations for the 29 year-old. Even those appear to be a bit high. Wells is going to turn 30 this month and his career averages of 12.8 ppg and 4.7 rpg certainly aren’t awe-inspiring. Throw in some unrealistic financial expectations along with his reputation for being a malcontent, and it’s easy to see why he’s still a man without a team.
His best bet was to stay in Sacramento, but they looked elsewhere and scored with John Salmons, whom the Sixers mysteriously released. (By the way, I think it’s a smart move by the Kings to keep just one malcontent on the roster.) Next, Wells was rumored to be heading home to Indiana, but only as a backup plan if the Pacers weren’t able to land Al Harrington. In fact, it’s not unlikely that the Pacers made their supposed interest in Wells public to let the Hawks and the Harrington camp know that there was another option, effectively driving down each party’s negotiating position.
Wells will eventually sign with someone, but my guess is that he’ll be making the mid-level exception ($5.5-$6 M) instead of the reported $8-$10 M he’s been asking for. He is talented, but his age and his rep are working against him and teams would be wise to avoid a long-term contract. Still, some franchise will suffer a training camp injury and panic, and/or Wells will agree to come down in price. Either way, he’ll be playing – we just don’t know where.
