Trade & FA 2024-25:

[DanSchwartzgan]

 

As others have pointed out, there are other options.  The most likely alternatives are 

1. Dump THJ and use Green+ to upgrade (I suspect Green+ is more valuable than THJ+, but the salary match with Green brings back less).  

2. Dump Green for an asset.  Use THJ+, (plus the asset from the Green trade) to upgrade.  As I've said, Green fits into the NT MLE which can be used for trades.  That opens up many more possible teams than finding a cap room team to absorb enough of the THJ salary to matter in a DJJ signing.

My position would be that if THJ+ gets you a starter, I don't bother to move Green to keep DJJ as a backup.  Green/OMax is just fine there.  But, if Green outgoing is required to get the new starter you want, then you do that and figure out the bench situation later.
 

The third option is to combine THJ and Green to bring back a more expensive player than can be acquired by one of them and then fill the vacated 14th roster spot with an exception (vet minimum or TP MLE).  Just bear in mind that anything over 100% of outgoing hard caps you at the first apron and a S&T also hard caps you at the first apron.  A $28mm player replacing THJ and a minimum replacing Josh leaves you $1.1mm under the apron.

Jerami Grant makes more than 100% of the outgoing.  Wiggins, Simon, Draymond, Kuzma, Hunter ect. make less than 100% of the outgoing (if Green and THJ are combined).  But, the bigger the salary of the incoming player, the less likely you are keeping DJJ.  So, proposals to get Simon (to pick a name) don't leave you enough room under the apron to keep DJJ.  So, Simon is replacing THJ, Green and DJJ if you do a 2 for 1 at that salary level.

Deals where people are suggesting we get Hunter (to pick a name) in a trade match for Hardaway have to realize that such a deal hard caps you and requires a second deal to send out additional salary to stay under the apron. 

A sign and trade (say Thompson) is also a hard cap event.  But, you can make it work as long as you are mindful of the apron.  For instance, THJ/Green for a S&T Thompson at $28mm means you are done.  THJ/Green for Thompson at $20mm means you have room under the apron to do other things (maybe DJJ at something under the NT MLE).