re: So how would the stretch provision work on EG this offseason?

Stretch provision is taking the salary owed and stretching it out over 2 x seasons remaining + 1. So if we do it next offseason we stretch out the money owed Gordon in the last year of his deal over 3 years. If it's the full $15.5 million, it'd be a $5 million cap hit for 3 years. If he can return to form, you'd hope he could get at least $5 million on the open market (Jodie Meeks got $7) and accept a $10 million buyout which would lead to a $3.3 million cap hit over 3 years if stretched. Here's an article from MM on it last year LINK /

Running the cap numbers I think this played a part in not picking up Rivers' option. If the cap goes up to $67 million (projection before the TV deal) and you keep Asik for $12 million, then you'd have about $9 million in cap space stretching Gordon's full salary and $11 million if you can get him to take a $10 million buyout. Keeping Rivers turns those numbers into $6 - $8 million in cap space which probably wouldn't be enough to get the caliber of SF we're hoping for.