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Free agency starts today! Let's do a quick review of Trail Blazers current cap situation and options.
As of now Blazers have $105.5M in salary obligations. Let's assume Hood signs a multi-year starting at roughly $6M, and Gabriel re-signs. Now up to $113Mish. 1/x
As of now Blazers have $105.5M in salary obligations. Let's assume Hood signs a multi-year starting at roughly $6M, and Gabriel re-signs. Now up to $113Mish. 1/x
That puts Blazers $19.3M below tax line and $25.6M below apron (i.e. hard cap) with 4 open roster spots
They can use any/all of the following to fill those spots:
1) Full MLE ($9.3M)
2) Bi-Annual Exception ($3.6M)
3) Bazemore Trade Exception ($7.1M)
4) Whiteside Bird Rights
2/x
They can use any/all of the following to fill those spots:
1) Full MLE ($9.3M)
2) Bi-Annual Exception ($3.6M)
3) Bazemore Trade Exception ($7.1M)
4) Whiteside Bird Rights
2/x
Safe assumption is that using MLE and BAE ASAP is a priority since most FAs will be gone otherwise. They can be split for multiple players, but let's assume Olshey uses entire MLE and BAE on one player each.
Now at 13 players.
$6.4M below tax line
$12.7M below apron.
3/x
Now at 13 players.
$6.4M below tax line
$12.7M below apron.
3/x
Blazers can now fill those last two spots with any combination of a Whiteside re-signing or S&T, using part of the $7.1M TPE, or signing vets on minimum contracts.
Only requirement is that they do not exceed $12.7M on those remaining two players. 4/x
Only requirement is that they do not exceed $12.7M on those remaining two players. 4/x
The Bazemore TPE does not expire until January, so POR can hold out on that. May also choose to stay a few hundred thousand below apron to leave room for a buyout signing after the trade deadline. Could cut Hezonja to facilitate that so no need to keep open roster spot. 5/x
KEY TAKEAWAY: Neil Olshey and the Blazers will have about $25.6M (depending on Hood) to use to acquire new players. That's exciting!
Portland is in win-now mode. If they are not right up against the hard cap at the trade deadline it is very fair to ask "what the hell?!" 6/x
Portland is in win-now mode. If they are not right up against the hard cap at the trade deadline it is very fair to ask "what the hell?!" 6/x
That starts this week by using the full MLE and BAE and finding a use for Whiteside's Bird Rights. If the season starts and they're sitting on any of those it becomes even more crucial that the $7.1M TPE is implemented effectively. 7/x
The Blazers have a solid starting lineup. They have the flexibility to totally rebuild their bench! The team hasn't entered free agency with a path to contention this open since 2015. Can they use their assets to get there? I really hope so! 8/x
WHAT ABOUT C.J. ELLEBY?!
They can sign him to a two-way contract and save the money below the hard cap for bench fortification. 9/x
They can sign him to a two-way contract and save the money below the hard cap for bench fortification. 9/x
WHAT ABOUT THE LUXURY TAX?!
NBA reduced luxury tax penalty this season and Dame is 30. If Blazers aren't willing to take a monetary hit to win now then what are we even doing? I'd be supremely disappointed if they "only" spend to tax line and leave exceptions untouched 10/x
NBA reduced luxury tax penalty this season and Dame is 30. If Blazers aren't willing to take a monetary hit to win now then what are we even doing? I'd be supremely disappointed if they "only" spend to tax line and leave exceptions untouched 10/x
s/o to @BBallInsiders for the salary numbers, as always. 11/11
