Lawrence
EOG Dedicated
Hughes' bonus requires 4 wins
He pockets $2 million if Cavs get 49 victories
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
<!-- begin body-content --> Not that any Cavalier needs extra motivation at this time of year -- the playoff race is in full bloom, and back-to-the-wall days are approaching soon -- but expect Larry Hughes to be especially locked in over the last two weeks of the regular season.
Hughes is close to aseven-figure bonus in his contract, but he'll need his teammates' help to get there. The deal Hughes signed in the summer of 2005 includes a $2 million payout if the Cavs reach 49 wins this season.
The victory Tuesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves put the Cavs' record at 45-30, with seven games to play.
General Manager Danny Ferry based the incentives in Hughes' contract on the performance of the team, not Hughes.
Last year, Hughes picked up a bonus when the Cavs got their 47th win, which kicked his compensation from $10.3 million to more than $12 million.
This year, Hughes' base salary is $11.1 million before bonuses. Contract clauses also pay bonuses to Hughes and Donyell Marshall, who also signed in 2005, if the team advances in the playoffs.
It seems as if the incentive process is working out.
As the point guard, Hughes needs to be a team player for the Cavs to be effective. Hughes, who said he isn't thinking much about the potential payout, needs his teammates for the significant extra cash.
Over the past two seasons, the Cavs are 30-5 when Hughes has five or more assists. In the easy win over the Timberwolves, Hughes' distribution was key: He had a season-high 10 assists.
He pockets $2 million if Cavs get 49 victories
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
<!-- begin body-content --> Not that any Cavalier needs extra motivation at this time of year -- the playoff race is in full bloom, and back-to-the-wall days are approaching soon -- but expect Larry Hughes to be especially locked in over the last two weeks of the regular season.
Hughes is close to aseven-figure bonus in his contract, but he'll need his teammates' help to get there. The deal Hughes signed in the summer of 2005 includes a $2 million payout if the Cavs reach 49 wins this season.
The victory Tuesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves put the Cavs' record at 45-30, with seven games to play.
General Manager Danny Ferry based the incentives in Hughes' contract on the performance of the team, not Hughes.
Last year, Hughes picked up a bonus when the Cavs got their 47th win, which kicked his compensation from $10.3 million to more than $12 million.
This year, Hughes' base salary is $11.1 million before bonuses. Contract clauses also pay bonuses to Hughes and Donyell Marshall, who also signed in 2005, if the team advances in the playoffs.
It seems as if the incentive process is working out.
As the point guard, Hughes needs to be a team player for the Cavs to be effective. Hughes, who said he isn't thinking much about the potential payout, needs his teammates for the significant extra cash.
Over the past two seasons, the Cavs are 30-5 when Hughes has five or more assists. In the easy win over the Timberwolves, Hughes' distribution was key: He had a season-high 10 assists.
