re: Cunningham back to Pels... 3 yrs/$9M

The only thing stopping us from being able to say we played the warriors as well as anyone was the Game 3 collapse, which had nothing to do with the teams talent.

No one really gave the warriors any trouble, and Klay Thompson had by far his best shooting series against us as well, he slumped the rest of the playoffs. Not to mention there might not have been any moves to make this offseason, it's not like we locked anyone up into super long or unmoveable deals. Ryno's contact will be just as tempting at the trade deadline as it is now, Gordon still expires next year, Jrue and Tyreke still only have two years left on good deals, and as previously discussed even Asik's deal isn't the anchor it looks when you factor in the cap increase and the last year not being guaranteed.

Don't think it's a bad strategy by any means to run back what you have and hopefully see what continuity, health, and improving youth get you. There's the trade deadline and next offseason, where we also have a first rounder, to make moves.

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Is this another way of saying that we are up against the tax?

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That has to be what he's implying but it's really poor phrasing. If anything is thought of as a "hard cap" it's the Tax Apron which is $4 million above the tax line. That's where restrictions kick in regarding exceptions and S&Ts.

I think the plan is continuity whilst trying to trade Eric Gordon and/or Ryan Anderson. We're a little stuck with those two for now.

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It sucks to be thinking about next year in July but it is what it is.

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It's just you that is thinking this way. A healthy team along with a competent coach and I believe this team can make some noise.

one team wins it all
ten teams contend, on average
in a couple years they'll be one of the ten based on Davis alone
till then I and more than happy to enjoy

Look I don't want to be the negative nancy here. I really don't.

But not adding a single new player of any note on a 45 win, 1st Round swept team is...interesting.

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Look I don't want to be the negative nancy here. I really don't.

But not adding a single new player of any note on a 45 win, 1st Round swept team is...interesting.

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I'm w/ those who say that... for this offseason... continuity is bigger than any random asset

I still believe a full season of a healthy Jrue and Q-Pon (assuming he starts)... and a bench of Cole, RYNO, Cunningham, Ajinca... along w/ the new coaching staff... will be better than 45 wins and getting swept in the 1st round of the playoffs

plus we can't go up against the tax if we want to make a legit run at KD next offseason

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fringe league guys like Rivers

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that trade was at least worth 5 more Ws last season

I'd be thrilled with a top 6 finish and a 1st round series win


Expecting to jump from getting the 8th seed on literally the last day of the season to contending for the west in one season, especially with the way our cap is set up and the rising numbers after this season is a little delusional

Being 'Hard capped' is kind of hard to explain in written terms for me, but let me try.

Basically, you guys know that you have to be over the cap to use the MLE, right? Well, if you are over the cap AND over the tax, you get a mini-MLE, not a full MLE.

But, in essence, you have to turn in all your finances to the NBA at the end of the year. Now, let's say you give a guy the full MLE now and later on in a trade you go way over the luxury tax. Well, it's not fair that you got to use the full MLE way back then, when other tax teams only got to use the mini, is it?

So, the NBA says - If you are going to use the full MLE, then we will hard cap you at $4 million above the tax apron. Now, you can't make a bunch of trades where you take back more salary on top of using the MLE.

I don't know if I am explaining this well. But the bottom line is that if the Pels are trying to prevent themselves from being hard capped, it is because they would be willing to go well above the tax for the right trade.

One other thing - I keep seeing this 2.4 million dollar number. Where is that coming from? The MLE should be 5.5 million, and most contracts escalate, so I doubt Dante will count fro exactly 3 mil this year. Should be closer to 2.7 or 2.8 mil. Minor, but just saying.