2019/20 Players' Transactions: Breaking News , Trades, Free Agents, And Rumors

My assumption would be Carmelo taking less. Westbrook shouldn't and George is a wildcard but since Carmelo is the one past his prime, I expect him to take the discount.

 

You could also shed the salaries of nobodies like Abrines, Patterson, Singler, even Roberson. If they found a trade partner for Steven Adams, they'd have a ton of money to spend. It would take creativity, but I'm not going to count out a team that turned

4/84 million in Oladipo and Sabonis into Paul George

as well as

Kanter/McDermott/2nd rounder into Carmelo Anthony.

I'm betting they can find a creative way to clear space if they need to. I'm also comfortable not taking that bet because all three of Westbrook, George, and Anthony have been non-committal thus far. I've said all along: the first straw towards us having a rough summer will be Westbrook signing that extension. If the deadline passes and he hasn't signed it, there's a clear window of opportunity for us. If he signs it, there's a decent chance it's because he knows George is staying which would be very difficult for us.

 

I'm not saying it would be easy, I'm saying he Presti could do it. I'd be shocked if GM of the Year doesn't already have Presti's name engraved on it. Teams seem desperate to make sure we don't have an easy path at LeBron and friends and they propped up Presti to get there. He took advantage of some desperate situations, but that discount his ability. I didn't see other GMs taking advantage of the situation. Morey tried and couldn't.

Roberson would be incredibly easy to move and yes what I'm suggesting is a lower tax bill instead of an extinguished one, but if the team is as competitive as they have to be to convince the three of these guys to stay together (WCF at the least), then it's not out of the question to see the team make these moves. Adams would be the most difficult to move, but not impossible if you're able to easily walk away from Oladipo. Find someone desperate enough and attach something half-way decent and Presti makes magic happen.

 

Yes I know OKC can bring them all back at their desired salary.

I'm asking how Russ signing the extension would effect it.

If Russ signs would OKC now only pay 50 mil in penalty instead of 140 mil if he doesn't sign? Would they only pay 20 mil instead of 140mil if he doesn't sign?

I'm asking specifically what would be the change in the tax amount OKC has to pay, depending on if Russ signs the contract that's on the table?

 

It's all incredibly fluid.

As I understand it, the last year in Westbrook's current deal would be opted into, then the extension would continue the following year. In that case, Westbrook's contract would be 30.7 million next season and around 38 million the following season.

If that is the case, then the Thunder would roll into next summer with:

Westbrook- 30.7
Adams- 24.2
Roberson- 10
Abrines- 5.5
Patterson- 5.5
Singer- 5
Ferguson- 2.1
D. Johnson- 1.4
(assuming they dropped non-guarantees and team options) Total= 87.3 million give or take a few hundred thousand. That leaves about 15 million to spend assuming they waived all Bird Rights.

However, since they traded for both Paul George and Carmelo, they own those Bird Rights. Carmelo's is a little tricky because he has an ETO, but since he's got full Larry Bird Rights and was playing for more than the average player, his cap hold is 150% of his previous contract. That puts Carmelo's cap hold at 39.3 million. Paul George's cap hold would be 29.3 million.

That means their total cap amount is actually: 154.7 million which is of course astronomical. However, I'd expect Carmelo to sign for far less than that and the Thunder would effort to move Adams to avoid a massive tax bill.

 

That's what I wanted to know

Thank you!!

 

My Laker fan side agrees 1000%, but it ain't happening that way.

 

I'd rather have Paul George and Westbrook already on the team... I love what Ball is doing, but if we're picking a team right now between the Thunder and the Lakers, I want the Thunder.

 

In slightly bad news for our FA chances, the cap is actually expected to drop slightly next season from 102 to 101 million. The following year another influx of cash is expected to boost it to 108 million.

Not a massive problem or anything, but obviously we'd like the cap to increase and give us a greater chance to get two max guys.

 

I hear you. I think we're going to be doing a good amount of begging though. Hopefully guys want to come here, but we've got to roll out that red carpet which comes with a bit of begging on the side.

The better word might be "schmoozing".