- Shawn Kemp desired a groundbreaking $100 million contract
- Kemp recalls leaving Seattle due to the team’s payment hesitance
- Cleveland Cavaliers offered Kemp a seven-year, $107 million deal in 1997
Shawn Kemp left the Seattle SuperSonics driven by an ambition to break the $100 million contract barrier. An icon of the SuperSonics for nearly a decade, Kemp’s departure came as a shock to many fans.
Reflecting on his departure from Seattle during the Knuckleheads Podcast with Darius Miles & Quentin Richardson, Kemp candidly discussed the financial motivations behind his move:
“It wasn’t about SK making $100 million. It was about breaking a barrier because I thought we should be making more money.”
“In my heart, I kind of knew I was going to have to leave because they weren’t going to pay me 100 million dollars.”
“I had six years left on my contract. I was the first athlete ever who got 100 million dollars and still had six or seven years on my contract.”
The post-season of 1996-97 marked the end of Kemp’s era with the SuperSonics. In September 1997, Seattle bid farewell to Kemp, trading him to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-way deal also involving the Milwaukee Bucks.
As part of this trade, the SuperSonics received Bucks forward Vin Baker. As he saw it, the $100 million was not just about personal gain but breaking a monetary barrier in the NBA.
His ambition became a reality when Cleveland offered him a whopping seven-year, $107 million contract in 1997. Though he didn’t receive the entirety of that amount, Kemp’s decision to chase the $100 million barrier had reshaped his NBA journey.
The Legacy Of Shwan Kemp
Shawn Kemp, often hailed as one of the most explosive power forwards in NBA history, carved a deep-rooted legacy during his tenure in the league, predominantly with the Seattle SuperSonics.
Drafted as the 17th overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, Kemp quickly made his presence felt with his incredible athleticism, soaring dunks, and tenacious rebounding ability.
Standing at 6 feet 10 inches and weighing 230 pounds, Kemp’s on-court statistics were a testament to his talent and dedication. Throughout his illustrious career with the SuperSonics from 1989 to 1997, he averaged 16.2 points with a commendable shooting average of 52.1%, alongside 9.6 rebounds across 625 games.
Beyond the numbers, Kemp’s influence in Seattle was monumental. He, along with point guard Gary Payton, formed one of the league’s most formidable duos. Together, they led the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals, elevating the team’s status and building a fanbase that fondly remembers their contributions to this day.
His accolades further paint the picture of his dominance: making five of his six All-Star appearances in a Sonics uniform and clinching spots on the All-NBA second-team for three consecutive years from 1994-96.
Even though Kemp moved on from Seattle and had stints with other teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic, it is his time with the SuperSonics that defines his NBA legacy.
His unmatched energy, high-flying dunks, and charismatic personality made him a favorite among fans and solidified his position as one of the game’s greats.
Best Of Shawn Kemp’s Dunks
Shawn Kemp’s dunks are the stuff of legend. Known as “The Reign Man,” Kemp was a master of the mid-air art form, combining raw power with finesse in ways that left fans in awe and opponents embarrassed.
In the 1992 playoffs against the Golden State Warriors, Kemp caught a pass on the run, took one dribble, and soared over Alton Lister, slamming the ball with one hand. After the dunk, Kemp pointed at Lister, adding an exclamation point to one of the most iconic dunks in NBA history.
Against the Indiana Pacers, Kemp started at the three-point line, drove baseline, avoided a defender with a double pump in mid-air, and finished with a reverse dunk, showcasing his athleticism and body control.
On a steal against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kemp went coast-to-coast, finishing with a ferocious windmill dunk, a move that became one of his signature finishes.
Facing the Warriors once again, Kemp drove the lane and rose up over Chris Gatling for a powerful one-handed jam. What was even more memorable was Gatling’s sportsmanlike gesture, giving Kemp a low-five after being posterized.
Kemp’s dunks were more than just two points; they were statements. They epitomized an era of the NBA where power and grace converged, and Kemp was at the forefront, leaving an indelible mark with each rim-rattling slam.
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