Johnny Ludden of the San Antonio Express-News reports that Malik Rose has finally signed the contract that was agreed upon three weeks ago. The Spurs re-signed the reserve power forward to a 7-year, $42 million contract yesterday.
The deal was postponed while the Spurs decided whether to start the contract off at a higher salary with lower raises, or start it off low with larger raises throughout. In the end, they opted for the low starting salary with higher yearly raises because they are going to be close to the luxury tax limit this season.
Rose's contract is the longest allowable under the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement and the third-longest in franchise history. It also ranks third in total value in franchise history.
Only David Robinson, who signed a 10-year rookie deal that was later torn up in 1995, and George Gervin, who had an eight-year deal, have signed longer contracts with the Spurs.
Rose's signing gives the team 13 players under contract. Though the Spurs may later add an additional big man ? possibly Cherokee Parks ? no other free-agent signings are imminent.