i would, but i don't know if that will do it for them. you figure the biggest offer kennard or smart will get is full mle at full years, which is in the 4/60+ neighborhood. room exception is max 3 years with only 5% raises, and we only have one to give. so if we operate under the cap, one of them has to take that (assuming with PO on year 2 or 3--can't remember rules on how many and where these can occur), and the other would eat into space but could get something closer to that max mle that someone else could offer. operate over the cap, and smart's contract options are really limited (opt in or non-bird rights raise--not attractive). under the cap, giving smart a 10m per raise drops cap space to 38, with lebron still needing to be retained (and rui probably just walking). pray for the hot dog stand.
What's a cool name for Lebron version last dance special? Lakers give full access, walter buys into the production company, every Laker player gets residuals lol
More so then Luke, who i just went on how the fit and pairing isn't something he can get anywhere... even though every team can use a shooter, I don't think there's a lot of great options for Marcus on the market. He will and should get paid. But for him to be maximized, he should be on a playoff team where he can be the culture setter. I don't see the value in him going to a bottom feeder like when he was with Memphis or Washington where he's banged up in February, nursing a bad hip and back for them to only win 20 games. If you're going to kill yourself out there, you want it to be for something. So let's run through the teams: OKC - doesn't need him PHO - already have their captain in Brooks HOU - i mean, maybe DEN - don't see it MIN - sure SA - no POR - Holiday is that DET - they like physical, tough so... sure ORL - dumpster incoming CLE - no TOR - no NYK - Thibs would love him, so sure ATL - no BOS - bridge burned 6ers - no So 4 other teams and that's just on the surface without even considering their financial outlook or other roster needs. Hopefully long term security, as in making this his last stop, and a fair mid teens per year salary can do that. Will he take a little less than he should get this year to stay here, compete every year and retire here? Money is getting tight the longer these playoffs go on for, though.
only way to get him more than 6m per next year is to operate under the cap and give some of it to him. best bet right now is to get to him and kennard and explain that we can pay them both about 10 per next year and then use bird and early bird rights to give them raises the following year (when we're operating over the cap for sure due to reaves's big bump).
I tell you what. Let them meet one Fox, Rick. Ask him how's his after-NBA career goes. Then ask him if he'd have that same career retiring a C bag or, worse, a Wizard. It's not complicated and Marcus has to understand that. He gets to play with AR + Luka + Bron (for 1 more year) and then forever not having to pay for drinks in LA ... and more.
Great post and totally agree he isn’t going to some back water to not compete. Trying to win is the most important thing left in his NBA career: OKC - doesn't need him (can’t afford him, cap hell) PHO - already have their captain in Brooks (they’re at 185m without resigning Goodwin, Gillespie, Haywood and Coffey, maybe they can get the full MLE if they let them go but Goodwin is their Smart) HOU - i mean, maybe (once they resign their guys they’ll be over the first apron and only have the TPMLE) DEN - don't see it (won’t have the money below the second apron) MIN - sure (they’re at 190 before bringing back Ayo, I think they’ll be over first apron and only have the TPMLE) SA - no (they could make it work financially, but not sure why they would, they’ve already got Fox, Harper, Castle and Vassell?) POR - Holiday is that (they’ll have the MLE, but maybe not the playing time behind Dame, Jrue, Scoot or Sharpe) DET - they like physical, tough so... sure (they’re at 170m without bringing back Harris and Huerter and with Duren giving them a discount from the max - they might get the MLE but if they resign their guys it’ll probabaly be the TPMLE) ORL - dumpster incoming (they’re already a second apron team, so no) CLE - no (no cap space, TPMLE only) TOR - no (will have the MLE, just not sure he leaves LA for Toronto) NYK - Thibs would love him, so sure (no cap space, TPMLE only) ATL - no (they’d have the MLE, but they do try to get CJ back for that? They also already have Dyson Daniels, NAW and Buddy) BOS - bridge burned 6ers - no (they’re in cap trouble, 180m without signing Grimes, Kelly Oubre or Drummond, they’ll be an over tax team and have the TPMLE) Teams with the MLE funds and playing time include: Detroit (maybe if they let Tobias and Heurter go) and Toronto. I’d probably say at $10 million with a promise for a raise the following year, we can bring him back over Toronto giving him the MLE.
NAH man … new ownership. Walter has probably created a low key new position to proof read future statue plaques.
Grateful enough for the long haul on a deal that still gives us enough room to secure you some defensive help so you don't have to do everything? My favorite part Same reason I like his mic'ed up clips, it brings attention to the constant little stuff he does all game. Watching him literally move guys into position defensively is hilarious. So much of the impact doesn't hit the box score.
I love this guy. Marcus Smart completely changed the culture. He’s the definition of an NBA “dawg”, an elite defender and a natural leader. His shooting can be inconsistent, but he tends to rise to the occasion in the playoffs. If you pair him with a similar player who has a bit more size, you’re looking at the foundation of a championship team. I really believe this.
