NEW YORK -- Memo to my Paper Clips: Tread cautiously while negotiating language land mines regarding Mike Dunleavy's contract extension.
Trying to finish the nearly-completed play (four years, $22 million) on the cheap cannot be worth chancing the prospect of sabotaging the season and annulling credibility gained since hiring him as coach, and following his personnel suggestions.
Nobody's saying owner Donald Sterling should roll over at the bargaining table, something he's notorious for doing, but low-balling bonuses, deferrals, etc. is not a particularly successful way to do business with a valued employee.