Do we have cap room left and who do we target?

Kyrie for Niko and first rounder

So, let me preface this by saying my brain is FRIED after today, and I don't have my cap sheet in front of me so things might be wrong. But...

Pelicans are operating as an over the cap team, but non tax team. Giving them access to two main exceptions to use (on new players) since they don't have cap space. The non tax payer MLE, and the bi annual exception.

The entirety of the non tax MLE was used for Randle. Basically the only way to sign him to that deal.

That leaves the BAE which would mean Elfrid Payton is signed using part of that since he isn't on a vet exception. That's basically entirely used up now.

So what's left is vet minimum exceptions to sign others. So...not a whole lot.

Again, my brain is KO'd after today so it might be wrong (I don't think so?) and others are better at this than I am.

Also, you all now have to listen to today's podcast since I gave you this bit for free (after it was nicely requested). I do talk about Randle and his contract issues next season.

Somehow I can see Brad Stevens wanting a guy like Niko on his squad. Would be sweet if it could actually happen.

quote:

---

I think we are going to have a trade before July 6 where we take back salary so we end up over the cap and then use MLE on Randle and BAE on Elf.

---

Are you sure this is correct? I believe what Jake said above is correct.

I very easily may be wrong, but since it's all in the moratorium period nothing is official, so the cap holds are still there. I believe you can structure the moves to be in any order you want so the exceptions go first, and then the cap holds go away for when Rondo and Boogie sign elsewhere--or whatever order it takes to make it work.

The Pelicans don't have Rondo's bird rights so they can't actually sign him for 9 million to do that.

quote:

---

Also, you all now have to listen to today's podcast

---

Link?

I need someone to explain to me how losing a close to league max guy doesn't open up tons of cap space.

quote:

---

If a team is below the cap, then its Disabled Player, Bi-Annual, Mid-Level (either the Taxpayer or Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level, whichever applies to the team) and/or trade exceptions are added to their team salary, and the league treats the team as though they are over the cap1. This is to prevent a loophole, in a manner similar to free agent amounts (see question number 37). A team can't act like it's under the cap and sign free agents using cap room, and then use its Disabled Player, Bi-Annual, Mid-Level and/or trade exceptions. Consequently, the exceptions are added to the team salary (putting the team over the cap) if the team is under the cap and adding the exceptions puts them over the cap. If a team is already over the cap, then the exceptions are not added to their team salary. There would be no point in doing so, since there is no cap room for signing free agents.

---

Tigerinatl and Jake are right. We just have to pretend like we are over the cap and not use space to have BAE and MLE. However, I still think we are going to see a trade within the next week where we take on salary. I also think we renounce Liggins and possibly Emeka.