Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[numnuts23]

If Luka got his 35% max cap deal in the summer, he’d have started 2026 on his new deal. That would’ve put him at an estimated starting salary of 55 mil and a total contract of around 315 million for 5 years. 

Now again, these are estimated numbers, but today the estimated cap numbers for next year is 154,647,000. The luxury tax is 187,895,000, the 1st apron is 195,945,000 and the 2nd apron is 207,824,000

Let’s assume the Mavs will do everything in their power to stay below the 2nd apron, and really the 1st apron as well so they can sign MLE guys, make SnT’s and just be free from restrictive rules. That means they are operating on a hard cap of 195,945,000.

Depending on what Kyrie’s extension is, and again, I’m going to assume a modest pay increase, the teams total salary BEFORE Luka’s supermax deal is at 159,942,426. This is with Kyrie on a deal that starts him at 44 mil. 

Add in Luka’s deal, and the teams salary balloons to 214,068,806. Over the 2nd apron and would have to lose roughly 7 mil to get below it.

But want to know the real sick twist with this? The Mavs are still currently in this position because AD is on a 35% max deal right now. The same exact number Luka would’ve started at next year is what AD is going to be paid. So this team is going to be a 2nd apron team regardless of Luka getting his max deal.

This trade was never about avoiding the tax or anything. It was solely because they did not like Luka.

Nice breakdown...thanks.  

26-27 is year it probably all hits the fan.  PJ/Gaff deal is up, Kyrie likely on a new deal and AD costing $58 million. 

With that in mind, there really isn't a reason not to go all in next season.  I know a potential title would not be near as poetic as Dirk's..nor as sweet without Luka.  However, given the cap situation and no Luka - it seems like a all or nothing year.  

Have Kyrie accept the player option (He'd have to go along with it in order to get KD here...like I assume Nico is planning with old NIKE crew) 

If they could figure out a 3 team deal that allows them to keep PJ, sending out Klay/Gafford/Naji/Powell....you'd have something along the lines of 

Kyrie/Hardy
Max/Martin
KD/PJ
AD/Omax
Lively/Vet FA - combo of AD and Lively when PJ is playing 4 

Then you'd be left in 26-27 with 

Hardy
Max
PJ on new deal
AD/Omax
Lively 

Obviously cap would be in a much better place but team wouldn't be great.