bigsiro
Well-known member
Bula is not close to the value bracket of the top players in that 900k range. For context, Harry Grant and Crichton are reportedly on about $850k through to the end of 2027. Burton, Carrigan and Liam Martin are around $750k through to the end of 2027.
It is also getting harder to sell the “paying for potential” argument. This is his fourth season and he has not developed enough to justify that sort of number. Maybe he improves. Maybe he doesn’t. But if we pay him big money we have to accept that this version of Bula might be the one we are locking in.
That said, if the club rates him now at around $800k (fair), but truly believes in him that he can go to another level, and the deal only blows out by another $100k then just pay it.
100k won't cause serious cap issues, and it is worth it if only to keep the team settled and not let this become a season-impacting distraction.
Look, Bula is not a star right now. He is probably a 3 out of 5. If there is a younger option in the wings who is cheaper now but the club believes has a higher ceiling and the cap space saved helps land a genuine top player elsewhere, then it is prudent for the club to weigh that up and arguably reckless not to.
It is also getting harder to sell the “paying for potential” argument. This is his fourth season and he has not developed enough to justify that sort of number. Maybe he improves. Maybe he doesn’t. But if we pay him big money we have to accept that this version of Bula might be the one we are locking in.
That said, if the club rates him now at around $800k (fair), but truly believes in him that he can go to another level, and the deal only blows out by another $100k then just pay it.
100k won't cause serious cap issues, and it is worth it if only to keep the team settled and not let this become a season-impacting distraction.
Look, Bula is not a star right now. He is probably a 3 out of 5. If there is a younger option in the wings who is cheaper now but the club believes has a higher ceiling and the cap space saved helps land a genuine top player elsewhere, then it is prudent for the club to weigh that up and arguably reckless not to.