Quote:It's due more to the fact that he is expiring than anything else. As already evidenced, Caldwell doesn't seem like a guy too keen on just letting his assets walk for nothing. Better to reach out for an extension now and gauge interest and see what the player/agent are looking to receive. If there is a disagreement, then you begin to make calls around the league.

I don't see this aversion to allowing players to leave in free agency.  That certainly wasn't the case when they allowed guys like MJD to test the market. 

 

Young players who fit what they want to do who are considered part of the equation are going to get every consideration to get a new deal done.  I don't expect Shorts to be unrealistic in his expectations.  That's never been his style.  I think they'll find a number that he can live with that won't break the team.  They clearly want to retain his services if they're already talking about trying to get a deal done a year in advance.

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