It's real money, and that matters, whether you want to accept it or not.
The examples you give from OKC didn't really involve OKC eating actual money, which is why the price seems fairly modest. It was money that they were going to pay for being under the minimum, but instead paid to the player(s) they added. But that outlay was able to be worked into their budget while rebuilding with a very cheap roster.
OTOH, if they now took on RW, their extra room is already spent, so they would have to write a massive check and would probably even be a taxpayer. All of which is why you shouldn't plan on OKC having any interest in taking RW.
Who is this "experienced writer" who you are saying is floating this as a likelihood, and exactly what did he say?
The examples you give from OKC didn't really involve OKC eating actual money, which is why the price seems fairly modest. It was money that they were going to pay for being under the minimum, but instead paid to the player(s) they added. But that outlay was able to be worked into their budget while rebuilding with a very cheap roster.
OTOH, if they now took on RW, their extra room is already spent, so they would have to write a massive check and would probably even be a taxpayer. All of which is why you shouldn't plan on OKC having any interest in taking RW.
Who is this "experienced writer" who you are saying is floating this as a likelihood, and exactly what did he say?