MAVS NEWS:

[F Gump]

What's PJ's new contract look like?

4 years, starting at $18mil? More?

Good question.

My issues in assessing it ...

1 I think the very recent NBA revelation that revenues portend less than a 10% cap increase in 2026 (they gave 7% as their expectation) sent shock waves to teams and players alike, who had all been game-planning on 10% every year. If it is indeed 7, all Bird raises of 8% from 2025 to 2026 deplete payroll flexibility (whereas, 10% from 2025 to 2026 would have covered such raises and added some extra). 

One takeaway is a leeriness of where the cap is headed, not only in 2026 but beyond. Am I screwed if I push the limits in my budget? A hard cap does not bend, so belt-tightening happens instead, and it starts now.

2 PJW's max extension (incl incentives) is 4/91, with yr 1 a smidge below 20. I see that as very borderline as to getting value for the dollar, and if he wants more, I feel forced to be looking to deal him. In July, really.

3 I would prefer to keep him and would hope to see something like 3/57-60 in total (or 4/80 or so). I can live with your "18M in year 1" idea (which would offer him ~4/81 all in).

4 Re PJW and assessing a salary that might offer value, I am also curious on Myles T year-over-year salary numbers w MIL (to help me gauge how far above my view of his "value" he got). I do see PJW as worth somewhat less in general. I am not interested in a bloated deal for PJW. I hope he is kept on a salary that offers cap value.