08-09-2025, 09:50 AM
OKC is a bit ahead of the game -- it's now a game of fitting more talent into a defined payroll limit. That means you MUST find bargain salaries. The draft picks give you a way to try to get cheaper-salaried talent, but they can be a two-edged sword, because if you make a bad pick, it ends up wasting payroll on junk that gives you next to nothing (see Hardy, J and Prosper, O). You MUST be superior in scouting and evaluating vs other teams, not just out-negotiate for more picks.
And the massive 35% salaries (such as AD) are going to be really hard to justify on a talent-per-dollar basis, especially if the player isn't giving you 82 games of play at a high level. In light of the contract, besides AD (who would actually be good value if he could play 82 games, because he is very good at both ends of the floor), I wouldn't want to be stuck with Embiid, Tatum, Towns, George, Kawhi, Lavine, or Booker.
And the massive 35% salaries (such as AD) are going to be really hard to justify on a talent-per-dollar basis, especially if the player isn't giving you 82 games of play at a high level. In light of the contract, besides AD (who would actually be good value if he could play 82 games, because he is very good at both ends of the floor), I wouldn't want to be stuck with Embiid, Tatum, Towns, George, Kawhi, Lavine, or Booker.
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