Someone smarter than me recently said "If C's choose RFA Smart, they are not choosing someone else (i. e. UFA Aron Baynes)". I have been playing around with salary figures for next year trying to figure out who to resign while keeping out of luxury tax territory for one last year. It is darn near impossible to bring back everyone under contract (no trades) and bring back both MS and AB, and still stay under the luxury tax - this even assumes Lakers pick doesn't convey and swapping out Nader for someone cheaper, and only keeping 14 players.
While trying to be creative, I remembered Omer Asik's odd 3 yr balloon contract starting in the 2012-2013 season, which paid 5 mil, 5 mil and 15 mil the final year - which was allowed under the Gilbert Arenas provision in the CBA. I thought maybe C's could get Smart to sign a balloon type contract, but upon further research the Gilbert provision mostly only pertains to 2nd rd picks with early or non bird rights, plus I think cap space maybe needed.
I'm I missing something, or is this an impossible task to sign both and stay under lux tax?
other miscellaneous questions:
Can anyone confirm that K Allen & J Bird's 2 way contracts are just for one year (not 2 yr)?
After injuries settle down, would Yabu benefit from some playing time in G league or does he develop better riding bench with parent club?
I think I get how 1st rd rookie contracts work vs. how 2nd rd rookie contracts can be structured. Dan Theis was neither of these things, I believe he was signed as UFA (??) - how is it that he is a RFA after 2 years - I know C's only offered him a 2 yr deal, but where should I be reading in Larry Coon's FAQs?
Thanks in advance.