CHICAGO — For attempting to acquire Joshua Munzon from Titan Ultra last week, did TNT really try to pull a fast one?
Had the deal pushed through, the Tropang 5G would have landed the All-Star for barely-used rookie Joe Celzo and a future first round draft pick.
READ Munzon still on trading block despite aborted TNT-Titan deal
Actually, it was Titan which wanted it that way.
“The Giant Risers didn’t want to take in new salary,” a source familiar with the negotiations told me on Sunday night.
In other words, it was a planned salary dump that liberates Titan Ultra from paying Munzon’s P420,000 a month salary.
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.
And TNT quickly jumped on the chance to sequester what it calls “a premium player.”
Meanwhile, a Titan official, who requested anonymity, didn’t push back on the notion of the desire to shed Munzon’s salary.
But the team insider also explained that streamlining payroll remains one of the toughest challenges independent teams face.
The Giant Risers executive added that while the proposed swap looks disadvantageous on the short-term, it does put Titan in a bettter fiscal position moving forward.
STILL ON.
Which is why, the deal hasn’t completely lost oxygen despite escalating fans’ criticism on social media.
“We’re still talking to TNT.” he said.
And the Tropang 5G, I am told, aren’t walking away, either, not when the asset at stake can help with their depleted point guard rotation.
To get it done, though, both sides need to recreate a proposal that will merit the PBA’s approval.
And given their separate and desperate desires. I think Munzon will eventually end up at TNT.
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