Offseason clarifications

[kab21]

I just want to be clear about some player situations before making an offseason plan in the other thread.

 

Am I correct that this is the season that Bazz enters RFA? If the Wolves want to retain him then they need to match his offer sheet?

 

Am I correct that there is a team option for Jordan Hill this season?

 

Another item to be discussed this summer will be an early extension for Lavine. I think you do it at reasonable prices (Dieng's for example) even if you trade him later. I see him as an asset and could see the Wolves completely losing him the following year in RFA.

 

The same is true of Andrew Wiggins but I think everyone agrees that you offer the max extension to him and retain him at all costs.

 

Pekovic - I do not care what happens to him. I guess there might be some benefit to this year's salary cap if he agreed to some sort of medical retirement but I don't think the Wolves will hit the salary cap even if they signed a max player. Is there any real benefit to doing anything?

 

Are there any other existing player clarifications that affect any offseason plans?

[bluechipper]

Shabazz is a restricted free agent. Jordan Hill's second year of the contract is non-guaranteed, so I'm assuming he can just be cut for nothing.

 

I think Payne's rookie contract option was declined, so he'll be a free agent too.

[kab21]

Is there also a list that shows the 2017-2018 salary obligations and amounts? 

I know that even if Lavine and Wiggins sign extensions that it won't affect next year's cap but it would be handy to know just how much money the team has to spend.
 

What are the implications of going over the cap in the future? Luxury tax obviously but does it restrict the Wolves extending Towns next year if it would put them over the cap. For example if they extend Lavine and Wiggins and sign a near max contract does it jeopardize the ability to keep Towns. My understanding is no as long as they are willing to pay any luxury tax.

[beckmt]

Heard a discussion today on one of the local sports talk station.  There is a great belief that one or two major pieces will be traded because they lack on the defensive side of the ball and that is greatly irritating to our current management.

[bluechipper]

Is there also a list that shows the 2017-2018 salary obligations and amounts? 

I know that even if Lavine and Wiggins sign extensions that it won't affect next year's cap but it would be handy to know just how much money the team has to spend.

 

What are the implications of going over the cap in the future? Luxury tax obviously but does it restrict the Wolves extending Towns next year if it would put them over the cap. For example if they extend Lavine and Wiggins and sign a near max contract does it jeopardize the ability to keep Towns. My understanding is no as long as they are willing to pay any luxury tax.

If you're resigning your own guys, you can go as far over the cap as you want.

[kab21]

 

If you're resigning your own guys, you can go as far over the cap as you want.

That was my understanding but wanted to make absolute sure before I recommended going over the cap.

[kab21]

So here are the 2017/18 salary commitments for the Wolves from this site - http://www.basketballinsiders.com/minnesota-timberwolves-team-salary/

 

Rubio - 14.25M (2 years remain)

Pekovic - 11.6M (expiring)

Dieng - 14.1M

Aldrich - 7.3M (the third season looks non-guaranteed)

Wiggins - 7.6M

Towns - 6.2M

Dunn - 4M

Bjelica - 4M

Lavine - 3.2M

Kevin Martin - 1.3M (one more season remains)

Jones - 1.5M

 

Total committed = 75M (I didn't add everything up and there is some rounding up above)

 

Muhammad = RFA

Hill = 4.2M team option

Payne = UFA

Rush = UFA

 

The 2017/18 cap is expected to be 102M. So there is 27M to work with. And a 2.8M exception.

 

Max contracts are 25% of the league cap. Or 30-35% for more experienced players. Ibaka's max contract should be 30% unless I am mistaken. Millsap could be 35%. Am I correct with this?

 

Another question - Designated players. Teams can have two. This is where the Wolves screwed themselves with Love (saved it for Rubio) but now teams can have two. It appears that if the Wolves signed Ibaka (or someone else) to a 5 year contract then they wouldn't be able to do the same with both Wiggins and KAT. Is this correct? This would put the brakes on any 5 year near max contracts in my plan.

[bluechipper]

 

Another question - Designated players. Teams can have two. This is where the Wolves screwed themselves with Love (saved it for Rubio) but now teams can have two. It appears that if the Wolves signed Ibaka (or someone else) to a 5 year contract then they wouldn't be able to do the same with both Wiggins and KAT. Is this correct? This would put the brakes on any 5 year near max contracts in my plan.

The designated player rule is for players already on the team. Under the new CBA, 2 designated player extensions are available for players still on their rookie deal, and then 2 more are for veterans. So this rule doesn't apply for signing free agents from other teams.

 

http://www.nba.com/article/2016/12/19/morning-tip-who-benefits-most-new-cba-players-owners-tv-revenue

[SF Twins Fan]

Is it just me or does the NBA have the most confusing set up contract rules compared to all of the other professional leagues?

[bluechipper]

 

Is it just me or does the NBA have the most confusing set up contract rules compared to all of the other professional leagues?

At least they're guaranteed. NFL contracts are more confusing for me.

[drjim]

Both NFL and NBA contracts are messed up.

 

Here's an idea - set up a contract structure for players as they enter the league, say 4-6 years, then at a certain point allow them to make as much money as teams are willing to pay them. And get rid of salary caps to allow for more movement and easier trades.

[TheLeviathan]

Salary caps have their benefits.  Especially if you don't share all revenues.

 

I think the NBA's roster rules are confusing, but not as confusing as NFL contracts.

[kab21]

The worst part of NBA contracts (related to at least) is the ridiculous salary matching requirements for trades. This is one of those good on paper (barely) but horrible in execution ideas that serves no purpose. There is a salary floor (at least to some extent I think), a soft cap and a punishing luxury tax.

The other (slightly related) silly thing is the veteran carousel every March where they get cut and they have to sign by a certain date to be playoff eligible. Many times these were players that had to be included in the deals above.