TBH I have never understood the sign-and-trade route unless the player is able to manufacture the exact place they want to play and can get the extra year.
There's also the recruitment angle. Teams pitching their best effort and players feeling wanted. It's not for every player, but some (I could see Ras falling into this category) embrace this as their only shot to hit the open market and 'feel the love'. The recruitment side has come a long way over the years; it'd be fun to be part of it for the right personality.
I'll never fault a player who exercises their rights to choose. If I were in Ras' position I'd be doing the exact same thing.
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