The further Williams and TNT drift apart in off-and-on negotiations, the closer Williams comes to being traded to his 'most ardent suitor'
CHICAGO - For the first time since a contract impasse fractured what once was a title-winning relationship. TNT appears ready to move on from Mikey Williams.
The development comes on the heels of my recent reporting that the No. 4 overall pick of the 2020 PBA Rookie Draft was willing to take a pay cut and that it fell through because the Tropang 5G did not want to guarantee the one-year deal.
"Not true," a team source told me in a telephone interview last Friday when he detailed their version of the failed negotiations.
COLUMN: TNT not biting despite Mikey agreeing to pay cut: 'Ang gulo kausap'
The source revealed Mikey, who dealt directly with TNT and not through an agent, asked for $28,000 a month including bonuses. That figure is $2,000 more a month than what his original contract paid before he flew back to California 25 months ago.
Given what's at stake, a grand slam bid that's been hijacked by injuries to Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac, TNT was leaning towards reluctantly signing on the dotted line.
After all, what's a few hundred thousand US dollars to a conglomerate desperately seeking a triple crown that will permanently cement their brand in the annals of PBA history.
MO MONEY.
But Mikey allegedly pushed his luck by asking for "a humongous signing bonus" that left TNT with no choice but to run for the hills.
"He hasn't played in two years, and he didn't perform well in Dubai," the TNT rep said while referencing Williams' long absence from playing organized basketball and his sub-par stint with Strong Group Athletics (SGA) last January.
When reached for comment, Mikey's camp denied asking for a signing bonus. They did, however, acknowledge asking for some upfront money - a request TNT vigorously stiff-armed.
With four games left in their Philippine Cup elimination-round schedule, TNT will continue to engage Williams, but the clock is ticking.
If a stalemate continues, the next move is to explore a trade.
Parting with a superstar who averaged 18.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists while hitting 37 percent of his 3s in a total of 87 PBA games across three seasons is a hard decision to make.
CONVERGE CONNECTION.
But getting something in return makes more sense than sitting on the rights of a non-performing asset,
So where will the two-time Finals MVP and two-time PBA champion play for next?
There's still interest in the 6-foot-4, 190-lb sharp shooter who will turn 34 in October. But he will likely end up with the most ardent suitor - the Converge FiberXers.
Converge can snag Mikey with a couple draft picks and some live bodies. Schonny Winston, a stud guard who has an expiring contract, can be used as a bait.
Signing Mikey doesn't guarantee that TNT will win the Philippine Cup. Not signing him guarantees the Tropang 5G won't achieve a grand slam.
What a dilemma.
Pay the man, or let him walk away knowing full well that regrets are sure to follow.
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