I don't agree with either of you guys on the LAC/Kawhi situation. Neither does ESPN reporting.
ESPN's update on facts (not emotion) in play: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4963...hi-leonard
From what they say, the NBA is apparently heading in the very direction I have been talking about. There is nothing in the rules that prohibits a player from striking a deal with an entity that does biz with either the NBA team or owner. IN FACT, the NBA encourages it, writes it into the CBA as very legal, and the NBAPA loves it too. They would have a very hard time penalizing either LAC or KL without literally violating federal labor law. Because Pablo "found out!!!" something he could make a big deal about, that isn't really an NBA Big Deal, and doesn't make this a real issue.
The fact that LAC is paying the max to KL avoids the issue of CAP circumvention, because there's no way anyone can say he is being cap-charged a smaller number for his salary. He's literally on the books for the biggest number the NBA allows.
The one exception that makes a possible issue would be if Ballmer paid someone to pay KL, but they report they have found no evidence whatsoever of that, it seems. Show me the money. If a company wants to pay KL and then gets little value, that's on them for being stupid, not on Ballmer, LAC, or KL.
I just don't think there's anything here, I think it's been much ado about nothing, and life will go on. The NBA loves the situation where players get Money For Nothing for being NBA celebrities. The players do too. So there's no one to drive a complaint or real hearing or a penalty. With the ESPN article opting for common sense and focusing on the rules issues (which favor Ballmer and Kawhi, who apparently but unsurprisingly did nothing to actually violate the rules as written, because they incredibly broad), and opting for the facts rather than manufactured outrage or angst, this silliness should die very soon. imo
ESPN's update on facts (not emotion) in play: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4963...hi-leonard
From what they say, the NBA is apparently heading in the very direction I have been talking about. There is nothing in the rules that prohibits a player from striking a deal with an entity that does biz with either the NBA team or owner. IN FACT, the NBA encourages it, writes it into the CBA as very legal, and the NBAPA loves it too. They would have a very hard time penalizing either LAC or KL without literally violating federal labor law. Because Pablo "found out!!!" something he could make a big deal about, that isn't really an NBA Big Deal, and doesn't make this a real issue.
The fact that LAC is paying the max to KL avoids the issue of CAP circumvention, because there's no way anyone can say he is being cap-charged a smaller number for his salary. He's literally on the books for the biggest number the NBA allows.
The one exception that makes a possible issue would be if Ballmer paid someone to pay KL, but they report they have found no evidence whatsoever of that, it seems. Show me the money. If a company wants to pay KL and then gets little value, that's on them for being stupid, not on Ballmer, LAC, or KL.
I just don't think there's anything here, I think it's been much ado about nothing, and life will go on. The NBA loves the situation where players get Money For Nothing for being NBA celebrities. The players do too. So there's no one to drive a complaint or real hearing or a penalty. With the ESPN article opting for common sense and focusing on the rules issues (which favor Ballmer and Kawhi, who apparently but unsurprisingly did nothing to actually violate the rules as written, because they incredibly broad), and opting for the facts rather than manufactured outrage or angst, this silliness should die very soon. imo