06-02-2024, 02:22 PM
(06-02-2024, 07:06 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: I still don't think you 'burn' the THJ expiring contract 'just' to get Jones more than the TP MLE.
One note on THJ trades. If we are over the first apron in the new season (which we would be if we spend $5.2mm on Jones), then we 1. can't acquire anyone via S&T, 2. can't use a TPE that was created in a prior season to acquire a player and 3. can't use more than 100% salary matching in a trade. It is that last one that impacts what we can do with THJ if we wait until after 7/1.
However in the 23/24 season, while we are hard-capped at the first apron, we are still $6.2mm under the line according to Spotrac (including unlikely bonuses for Kyrie and PJ). So, in a June trade, we have room to take back extra salary above what THJ makes that likely won't be available to us in July. We wouldn't get the full $7.5mm trade spread because of the hard cap at the first apron, but I believe (I'm not sure of anything regarding the new CBA yet) you can use up the space up to the first apron (so up to a $6.2mm trade spread in a June trade). This would throw Dallas into the tax for 23/24 (but isn't that what new ownership is for).
Some players who make less than $6.2mm over THJ's current salary (23-24) include Clarkson, Rozier, Brogdon, Draymond, Bruce Brown, Hunter and both Bogdanovic's.
A couple things I find interesting here. If someone tries to "Bruce Brown" DJJ (and we know its coming before 7/1), then we can go get the actual Bruce Brown to replace him (probably THJ plus protected 2025). Also, there was a time Dallas looked primed to trade for Draymond. Draymond is a trade match for THJ in June (again, if my understanding is correct). The spread between them currently is only $4.4mm, but balloons to $8mm next season as Draymond's salary goes up and THJ's goes down. The $8mm difference between THJ and Green next season is significant for GSW (and they have his replacement on the team already). The $8mm difference would be a second apron problem for Dallas if we also try to use the TP MLE (unlikely bonuses count in apron calculations). Draymond and Hardy are both Klutch clients, so I could see a Draymond/THJ trade involving Hardy as it also pushes us further from the second apron. It would be a shame to lose Hardy, but this is freaking Draymond Green we are talking about here.