There was a lot to watch as the Bucks reconvened for a mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, and whether or not Devin White was in attendance was supposed to be a big storyline.
White showed up for a voluntary team photo shoot at the Advent Health Training Center in Tampa on Sunday, participating in a series of promotional photos and videos for use by the team, sponsors and the media. The news was first reported by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. That seemed to indicate that the young linebacker wouldn’t attend the team’s mandated minicamp despite offseason trade demands.
Sure enough, White was there when Tampa Bay took up position on the practice field at the Advent Health Training Center on Tuesday morning.
But he didn’t practice.
this could be a sign of something Mr. White’s hold-in, as The Pewter Report reported on Monday? just showing up to avoid finesbut aren’t you practicing to protest having to play the fifth year option?
Bucks ILB Devin White – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
White is expected to make about $11 million this season, but was looking for a large contract extension instead. He always said his goal was to be a $100 million linebacker, And it’s clear he feels he’s reached that level. He asked for a trade this offseason when the Bucks didn’t bow to his contract demands.
Tampa Bay refused to trade him, disagreed with his worth, and chose to let him play the fifth year of his rookie contract before making a decision. The team has insisted for months that it has no plans to trade Devin White.
General Manager “No intention” Jason Licht said in April: “We respect Devin all over the world. He has done great things for us as a player and we wish him all the best in the future. We’re looking forward to this season, and he’s currently drafted into free agency, preparing for this season, and I’m looking forward to him being part of this team. If we all have a year like he thinks he can, hopefully we can end this situation and everyone will be happy.”
head coach Todd Bowles I agree with Licht’s comment A few weeks later, at the Alien Family Foundation celebration.
“Like Jason said, we’re going to keep him for another year,” Bowles said. “We’ve talked about it. We’re not going to trade him and we’re going from there. It’s the offseason now so nothing matters. He’ll be there when the season starts and we’ll be there.” Are expected.”
Devin White has a chance to go out and make money
Bucks HC Bruce Aliens and LB Devin White – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Perhaps Devin White really thinks he’s already got a deal worth $100 million. He played a key role in the Bucks’ Super Bowl LV triumph and will reach the Pro Bowl in 2021. Sure, he’s known for making mistakes and playing out of position all too often, but he has 20.5 sacks, 35 lost tackles and six forces. He recorded one fumble, nine fumble recoveries, and one interception.
Whether he deserves $100 million, or whether he thinks he deserves it, is up for debate at this point. The Bucks aren’t ready to give him that kind of contract, and while they had no intention of trading him at all, even if they did shop, they’d give him that kind of deal this offseason. There was little chance of finding another team ready to give such a huge contract extension. him around.
So White’s best bet right now is to use it to his advantage and play with a chip on his shoulder. If he keeps his head down and works and plays at the highest level possible, he will be ready for the contract he wants. He’s still making $11.7 million this year, and next spring will help him cash in on his big year.
The other route is one that doesn’t yield fruitful results for everyone. If White gets grumpy and just chooses to keep going, he’ll be doing damage to the Bucks on the field. But that would also hurt his ability to land a big deal next offseason when he becomes a free agent.
White’s former head coach, Bruce Aliens, advised him to go out and get it in 2023. The coach, who drafted White in 2019, delivered a clear message in his speech at the Foundation’s gala.
“Come back,” Arians said. “Come back. Let’s make some money. It’s out there. Go make some. That’s all you have to say.”
Well, Devin White is back.
Now that he’s back with the Bucks, let’s see when he chooses to practice and make money.
