Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 20, 2012 6:58:43 GMT -5
NBA's best salary cap teams
The Celtics, Pacers and Suns will all have ample cash to spend this summer
By Larry Coon | ESPN Insider
The 2012 NBA trade deadline has come and gone and will always be better known for who wasn't traded than for who was. The trade deadline was many things to many teams. For some it was the chance to add needed pieces for the upcoming playoff run. For others it was the chance to shed unneeded salary in preparation for July's free-agent market.
This summer, 19 of the 30 teams could enter free agency below the salary cap. Insider's Tom Haberstroh took a look at the top free agents who could be available when the floodgates open in July. Here's the flip side of that coin: where every team will stand in relation to cap space.
These figures are only approximations based on each team's current cap profile for the 2012-13 season. It doesn't take into account upcoming first-round draft picks (which count against the cap), nor does it include various cap holds for things like unfilled roster spots, free agents and salary cap exceptions. But since the draft lottery has not yet been held, draft picks can change hands between now and July, and teams can renounce free agents and draft picks, it's pointless to try to be more accurate this early in the year. So consider these figures to be upper limits; each team's actual cap number will likely turn out to be a few million dollars lower than what is listed here.
One other variable is the salary cap itself. This offseason will be the first under the new CBA with a new formula for calculating the salary cap -- one that's based on the players receiving 50 percent of league revenues rather than 57 percent. For 2012-13, the cap is guaranteed to be no lower than this season's $58.044 million. This is where it likely will end up, although the rules do allow for it to be higher.
With a nod to Grantland's Bill Simmons, the teams fall into several groups. Here we will look at the first three groups -- the teams in the best salary cap shape.
Group 1: If cap space is king, then fit me for a crown
These teams will have the most cap room to spend this summer. But the cap room for this group alone totals $140 million -- and there's not that much talent to go around. Even though many teams will be budget conscious like never before, this will be a seller's market, which will inflate prices.
Phoenix Suns, $26 million under the cap: The Suns are $5 million over the cap right now and have Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Shannon Brown coming off. They could afford to re-sign Nash for one more run, plus get him some high-powered help.
Cleveland Cavaliers, $26 million under the cap: Currently $5 million under the cap and with Antawn Jamison's $15.1 million salary about to come off the books, the Cavs will be poised to make a splash in free agency -- if any big-name free agents want to come to Cleveland.
Portland Trail Blazers, $23 million under the cap: The Blazers had a fire sale at the trade deadline, dumping the contracts of Gerald Wallace and Marcus Camby and narrowly missing out on moving Jamal Crawford. The Blazers will use the 2012 free-agent market as a springboard in their rebuilding process around LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum.
Boston Celtics, $22 million under the cap: Danny Ainge knew this day was coming. After trading for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, he knew he had a narrow window in which to compete for a title. This summer, Garnett ($21.2 million), Allen ($10 million) and Jermaine O'Neal ($6.2 million) come off the books, and it will be time to start writing the next chapter of the Celtics' storied history.
Indiana Pacers, $21 million under the cap: The team with the most cap room during the 2011-12 season (after the trade deadline they're now barely over the minimum team salary) will also enter 2012 free agency with a significant amount of cap room. Do they stay conservative, or do they swing for the fences this year?
New Orleans Hornets, $20 million under the cap: The Chris Paul trade may not have turned out the way David Stern envisioned, with Eric Gordon playing just two games and Minnesota's resurgence compromising the value of the draft pick they received in the deal. Chris Kaman ($14 million) is coming off the books and will likely go elsewhere. They need to figure out what to do with Gordon (a potential restricted free agent) but will most likely stay conservative.
New Jersey Nets: $17 million under the cap. The Nets have been in limbo all season as Dwight Howard, perpetually hovered between "staying" and "going" like a seven-foot Schrödinger's cat. Turns out they're still in limbo. Deron Williams has an opt-out and can leave for greener pastures even before the team breaks-in their new digs. Nets management are still convinced the best way to keep their star point guard in town is by luring Superman to Brooklyn, whether in trade or in the 2013 free agent market. If Williams sticks around they'll have a lot of cap room to spend, but need to be careful as that money is earmarked for Howard. If Williams leaves they'll lick their wounds and start over, and will have nearly $35 million in cap room as their consolation prize.
Group 2: Teams with a magic bullet
These teams don't have as much cap space as the teams in Group 1, but they do have the amnesty provision, and they may not be afraid to use it. This rule gives teams a one-time opportunity to shed a single contract. Even though they must continue to pay the player, he will no longer count against their cap or toward the luxury tax.
Charlotte Bobcats, $14.9 million under the cap: While Michael Jordan's team will already have a significant amount of cap room, it can go all-in by using its amnesty provision on Corey Maggette, shedding his $10.9 million from the books and increasing the team's cap room to $26 million.
Washington Wizards, $600,000 under the cap: While $600,000 is an insignificant amount of cap room and likely will be swallowed up by the team's cap holds, the Wizards have the ability to use its amnesty provision on Rashard Lewis and his $22.7 million salary, which would bring their total to $23 million. One caveat: Lewis' contract is heavily incentive-laden, and he must meet certain performance benchmarks for that money to be guaranteed. Given the way Lewis has been playing lately, the Wizards have to be at least a little afraid of using their amnesty on him, only to find out they saved next to nothing.
Philadelphia 76ers, $2.1 million under the cap: Another team with a paltry amount of cap room but a big contract just itching to be dropped via the amnesty provision. If the 76ers dump Elton Brand ($18.1 million, on an option year he'd be a fool not to pick up), they could bring their total cap room to $20 million.
Dallas Mavericks, $3.4 million under the cap: Mark Cuban and the Mavs were positioning themselves to be the next home for Dwight Howard and Deron Williams. To accomplish this, they needed to exercise their amnesty rights on Brendan Haywood ($8.3 million) and find a taker for Shawn Marion ($8.7 million) in trade. If they do this, they will free up the necessary cap room, but with Howard off the market, is this still their plan? Plan B might be to convince Williams to sign this summer and get ready to make a run at Howard next year.
Group 3: The Goldilocks zone
They say that mediocrity is a killer -- that it's better to be either really good or really bad. That's not the case with the salary cap, where the less you spend, the better off you are. But fielding a competitive team costs money, and it's nearly impossible to compete for a title without spending the money for top players. Every general manager's goal is to build a team that can compete for the title without spending too much for the privilege. These teams won't have cap room this summer, but they don't particularly care.
Los Angeles Clippers, $1 million over the cap: Stung by Chauncey Billups' Achilles injury, the Clips nevertheless have their core of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan signed through next season and just need to fill in around the edges with exceptions or trades.
Memphis Grizzlies, $4 million over the cap: Another team with its core locked up and ready for playoff runs this year and next.
Oklahoma City Thunder, $6 million over the cap: With his team as the prohibitive favorite to win the West and almost everyone on the team already locked in for next season, GM Sam Presti can practically afford to take the summer off.
__._,_.___
The Celtics, Pacers and Suns will all have ample cash to spend this summer
By Larry Coon | ESPN Insider
The 2012 NBA trade deadline has come and gone and will always be better known for who wasn't traded than for who was. The trade deadline was many things to many teams. For some it was the chance to add needed pieces for the upcoming playoff run. For others it was the chance to shed unneeded salary in preparation for July's free-agent market.
This summer, 19 of the 30 teams could enter free agency below the salary cap. Insider's Tom Haberstroh took a look at the top free agents who could be available when the floodgates open in July. Here's the flip side of that coin: where every team will stand in relation to cap space.
These figures are only approximations based on each team's current cap profile for the 2012-13 season. It doesn't take into account upcoming first-round draft picks (which count against the cap), nor does it include various cap holds for things like unfilled roster spots, free agents and salary cap exceptions. But since the draft lottery has not yet been held, draft picks can change hands between now and July, and teams can renounce free agents and draft picks, it's pointless to try to be more accurate this early in the year. So consider these figures to be upper limits; each team's actual cap number will likely turn out to be a few million dollars lower than what is listed here.
One other variable is the salary cap itself. This offseason will be the first under the new CBA with a new formula for calculating the salary cap -- one that's based on the players receiving 50 percent of league revenues rather than 57 percent. For 2012-13, the cap is guaranteed to be no lower than this season's $58.044 million. This is where it likely will end up, although the rules do allow for it to be higher.
With a nod to Grantland's Bill Simmons, the teams fall into several groups. Here we will look at the first three groups -- the teams in the best salary cap shape.
Group 1: If cap space is king, then fit me for a crown
These teams will have the most cap room to spend this summer. But the cap room for this group alone totals $140 million -- and there's not that much talent to go around. Even though many teams will be budget conscious like never before, this will be a seller's market, which will inflate prices.
Phoenix Suns, $26 million under the cap: The Suns are $5 million over the cap right now and have Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Shannon Brown coming off. They could afford to re-sign Nash for one more run, plus get him some high-powered help.
Cleveland Cavaliers, $26 million under the cap: Currently $5 million under the cap and with Antawn Jamison's $15.1 million salary about to come off the books, the Cavs will be poised to make a splash in free agency -- if any big-name free agents want to come to Cleveland.
Portland Trail Blazers, $23 million under the cap: The Blazers had a fire sale at the trade deadline, dumping the contracts of Gerald Wallace and Marcus Camby and narrowly missing out on moving Jamal Crawford. The Blazers will use the 2012 free-agent market as a springboard in their rebuilding process around LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum.
Boston Celtics, $22 million under the cap: Danny Ainge knew this day was coming. After trading for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, he knew he had a narrow window in which to compete for a title. This summer, Garnett ($21.2 million), Allen ($10 million) and Jermaine O'Neal ($6.2 million) come off the books, and it will be time to start writing the next chapter of the Celtics' storied history.
Indiana Pacers, $21 million under the cap: The team with the most cap room during the 2011-12 season (after the trade deadline they're now barely over the minimum team salary) will also enter 2012 free agency with a significant amount of cap room. Do they stay conservative, or do they swing for the fences this year?
New Orleans Hornets, $20 million under the cap: The Chris Paul trade may not have turned out the way David Stern envisioned, with Eric Gordon playing just two games and Minnesota's resurgence compromising the value of the draft pick they received in the deal. Chris Kaman ($14 million) is coming off the books and will likely go elsewhere. They need to figure out what to do with Gordon (a potential restricted free agent) but will most likely stay conservative.
New Jersey Nets: $17 million under the cap. The Nets have been in limbo all season as Dwight Howard, perpetually hovered between "staying" and "going" like a seven-foot Schrödinger's cat. Turns out they're still in limbo. Deron Williams has an opt-out and can leave for greener pastures even before the team breaks-in their new digs. Nets management are still convinced the best way to keep their star point guard in town is by luring Superman to Brooklyn, whether in trade or in the 2013 free agent market. If Williams sticks around they'll have a lot of cap room to spend, but need to be careful as that money is earmarked for Howard. If Williams leaves they'll lick their wounds and start over, and will have nearly $35 million in cap room as their consolation prize.
Group 2: Teams with a magic bullet
These teams don't have as much cap space as the teams in Group 1, but they do have the amnesty provision, and they may not be afraid to use it. This rule gives teams a one-time opportunity to shed a single contract. Even though they must continue to pay the player, he will no longer count against their cap or toward the luxury tax.
Charlotte Bobcats, $14.9 million under the cap: While Michael Jordan's team will already have a significant amount of cap room, it can go all-in by using its amnesty provision on Corey Maggette, shedding his $10.9 million from the books and increasing the team's cap room to $26 million.
Washington Wizards, $600,000 under the cap: While $600,000 is an insignificant amount of cap room and likely will be swallowed up by the team's cap holds, the Wizards have the ability to use its amnesty provision on Rashard Lewis and his $22.7 million salary, which would bring their total to $23 million. One caveat: Lewis' contract is heavily incentive-laden, and he must meet certain performance benchmarks for that money to be guaranteed. Given the way Lewis has been playing lately, the Wizards have to be at least a little afraid of using their amnesty on him, only to find out they saved next to nothing.
Philadelphia 76ers, $2.1 million under the cap: Another team with a paltry amount of cap room but a big contract just itching to be dropped via the amnesty provision. If the 76ers dump Elton Brand ($18.1 million, on an option year he'd be a fool not to pick up), they could bring their total cap room to $20 million.
Dallas Mavericks, $3.4 million under the cap: Mark Cuban and the Mavs were positioning themselves to be the next home for Dwight Howard and Deron Williams. To accomplish this, they needed to exercise their amnesty rights on Brendan Haywood ($8.3 million) and find a taker for Shawn Marion ($8.7 million) in trade. If they do this, they will free up the necessary cap room, but with Howard off the market, is this still their plan? Plan B might be to convince Williams to sign this summer and get ready to make a run at Howard next year.
Group 3: The Goldilocks zone
They say that mediocrity is a killer -- that it's better to be either really good or really bad. That's not the case with the salary cap, where the less you spend, the better off you are. But fielding a competitive team costs money, and it's nearly impossible to compete for a title without spending the money for top players. Every general manager's goal is to build a team that can compete for the title without spending too much for the privilege. These teams won't have cap room this summer, but they don't particularly care.
Los Angeles Clippers, $1 million over the cap: Stung by Chauncey Billups' Achilles injury, the Clips nevertheless have their core of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan signed through next season and just need to fill in around the edges with exceptions or trades.
Memphis Grizzlies, $4 million over the cap: Another team with its core locked up and ready for playoff runs this year and next.
Oklahoma City Thunder, $6 million over the cap: With his team as the prohibitive favorite to win the West and almost everyone on the team already locked in for next season, GM Sam Presti can practically afford to take the summer off.
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