How John Salmons Could Alter History

Once upon a time in 2000, Allen Iverson(notes) was traded to Detroit. Except then Matt Geiger, a throw-in who somehow had a no-trade clause in his contract, didn’t feel like making the trip, and the deal fell apart. Two winters ago, Devean George(notes) prevented Jason Kidd(notes) from heading to Dallas on similar grounds; lucky for him, a trade was worked out that didn’t need his approval.

The situation of John Salmons(notes) in Chicago is less whimsical, and Salmons a better player than either Geiger or George. However, according to the Chicago Tribune, he could end up holding a similar place in one team’s history:

Should Salmons exercise his $6.7 million option, the speculation is the Bulls wouldn’t be able to offer a maximum contract to any of the big names in the most decorated free agent class in NBA history. That isn’t entirely accurate. But if Salmons opts in, achieving that optimum financial flexibility becomes more difficult and might involve renouncing the rights to restricted free agent Tyrus Thomas(notes).

Oh wait, I guess someone does care about 2010 cap space after all. Fantastic! The dream is still alive! But seriously, regardless of what you think of Tyrus Thomas, there’s something distinctly demoralizing about thinking that John Salmons could keep Chicago from realizing an imaginary Derrick Rose(notes)/Dwyane Wade/Tyrus Thomas human video game. Recent slump notwithstanding, Salmons is better than Thomas, but TT still gives Bulls fans just enough to keep them enthralled by his potential. Kwame Brown(notes), he isn’t.

More to the point, say "Tyrus Thomas" and at least there’s the hope that the future might be awesome. John Salmons is a perfectly good NBA player, but if he’s the fork you take in the road, mediocrity prevails. Why that would matter if the team landed a max player, I’m not quite sure, but it just doesn’t feel the same.

What does Salmons think? Not surprisingly, he had no clue: "I didn’t even know my situation had that big an impact and don’t look at the numbers like that." Nor is there any reason he should do anything but go for self.

(sports.yahoo.com)