2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[F Gump]

Can´t we theoretically drastically reduce our pay-roll and change the FA rules that apply to us?

Are the rules fixed based on the roster we have on July 1st?

The Pacers have enough capspace, where we could just dump THJ into space and use our $11M TPE to get Bitadze back. That´s legal, right?

That would reduce our pay-roll below the tax apron and we can use our MLE before re-signing Brunson with bird rights?

The detailed explanation would be boring, but the practical answer to that overall question is "No, that's really not an option." There's no practical way to remove that much payroll without wrecking the whole team (giving away assets you need, and picks), and you can't go over the hard cap later - it is not passable for the entire season.

Re where they go from here -  Rather than straddle the line and get cornered into financial inability to add talent, the better solution will be to continue to add the best talent possible, where and how they can, and live with the tax hit. They should have done this in 2011, and need to do it now. Talented players are way better than cap room when you need to get talent you lack. When you have talent, even in abundance, don't let it get away for free.

To continue on that road, you have to be excellent at scouting-drafting-developing players, and you have to sign and keep your own (for your own use, or to trade later for what you need) when you hit on a winner. The re-signing of JB is doubly crucial, but it's very doable so long as MC will write the checks. It's a big-money world, and you gotta pay to play.