re: How do they other teams sign superstars under the cap?

He's getting a (huge) extension in that scenario. I'm assuming the rookie contract was for 5M and he got a 1-year 15M extension at the end of that.

That might be wrong though

ETA: It is. From Grantland's Robert Mays:

quote:

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The real problem for the Bulls is that Houston GM Daryl Morey is an evil mastermind. Thanks to a loophole in the new CBA, Chicago wouldn’t owe Asik an even $8 million a year over the three-year deal. As laid out by John Hollinger, there’s a provision that limits the amount of money a player like Asik (a restricted free agent with one or two seasons in the league) can be paid in the first two years of a new contract. In years one and two, Asik can make the maximum of the mid-level exception (around $5 million), but in year three, Houston can offer him any amount up to the maximum salary.

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LINK