re: lowe on picking up option for Rivers

quote:

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if we moved EG before the deadline, wouldn't it solve all of these problems and add possible assets?

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Not necessarily. If you move Gordon for expirings and keep Asik and his $12 million hold, having Rivers on the books gives you about $12 million in cap space (assuming a $67 million cap). That's a decent amount cap space, but if you want to throw a max at a RFA like Jimmy Butler and hope Chicago doesn't match, Rivers contract would keep you from doing that.

There are only 2 potential downsides to not picking up Rivers' option. 1) He has a breakout year and you lose him because you sign a starter, kind of like how Morrow was a casualty of getting Asik. 2) It effects him mentally and he doesn't become a productive player. Those are negligible concerns, so it really does seem like a no brainer to not pick up his option.