Remaining Free Agent Options

[Celtics2021]

I'd love us to sign Millsap! Problem is, we cannot afford him unless we somehow dump Dunn's salary for cap relief. We do not have access to the bi-annual cause we used our taxpayer MLE. We do not have access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE cause we our above the apron. I mean, if Millsap were willing to sign for the minimum, I bet he would have already joined a contender.

For the gazillionth time, we cannot sign Markkanen. The Celtics cannot make a sign and trade cause we have used the taxpayer MLE. Here's the exact quote from Larry Coon's CBA FAQ:

The team cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade if they have used the Taxpayer Mid-Level exception (see question number 25) that season.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q92

Even if we dump Dunn we still have only the minimum to offer Millsap.  The only reason moving Dunn first would matter is because of luxury tax dollars, and not our ability to pay Millsap any extra.

[Jvalin]

I'd love us to sign Millsap! Problem is, we cannot afford him unless we somehow dump Dunn's salary for cap relief. We do not have access to the bi-annual cause we used our taxpayer MLE. We do not have access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE cause we our above the apron. I mean, if Millsap were willing to sign for the minimum, I bet he would have already joined a contender.

For the gazillionth time, we cannot sign Markkanen. The Celtics cannot make a sign and trade cause we have used the taxpayer MLE. Here's the exact quote from Larry Coon's CBA FAQ:

The team cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade if they have used the Taxpayer Mid-Level exception (see question number 25) that season.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q92

Even if we dump Dunn we still have only the minimum to offer Millsap.  The only reason moving Dunn first would matter is because of luxury tax dollars, and not our ability to pay Millsap any extra.

Not true. If we somehow dump Dunn for cap relief, we'll gain access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE ($3,646,000). This ain't possible right now cause we are over the apron.

[Celtics2021]

I'd love us to sign Millsap! Problem is, we cannot afford him unless we somehow dump Dunn's salary for cap relief. We do not have access to the bi-annual cause we used our taxpayer MLE. We do not have access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE cause we our above the apron. I mean, if Millsap were willing to sign for the minimum, I bet he would have already joined a contender.

For the gazillionth time, we cannot sign Markkanen. The Celtics cannot make a sign and trade cause we have used the taxpayer MLE. Here's the exact quote from Larry Coon's CBA FAQ:

The team cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade if they have used the Taxpayer Mid-Level exception (see question number 25) that season.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q92

Even if we dump Dunn we still have only the minimum to offer Millsap.  The only reason moving Dunn first would matter is because of luxury tax dollars, and not our ability to pay Millsap any extra.

Not true. If we somehow dump Dunn for cap relief, we'll gain access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE ($3,646,000). This ain't possible right now cause we are over the apron.

No, we wouldn’t regain it.  We’ve used the taxpayer MLE, and that’s that.

From the CBA:

(1) A Team shall be permitted to use the Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception in a Salary Cap Year only if (i) the Team’s Team Salary immediately following the Team’s use of such Exception
exceeds the Tax Level for such Salary Cap Year plus the Tax Apron Amount

So we’ve used the taxpayer MLE because we signed Schröder and are above the apron.

Further:

A Team shall be permitted to use the Non-Taxpayer Mid- Level Salary Exception during a Salary Cap Year only if (i) the Team’s Team Salary at the time the Exception is used and at all times thereafter during the Salary Cap Year does not exceed the Tax Level for such Salary Cap Year plus the Tax Apron Amount, and (ii) at the time the Exception is used, the Team has not already used either the Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception

We’ve used the taxpayer MLE, and we can’t go back to the non-taxpayer MLE.  Anyone we sign can be through the minimum, unless we are unlucky enough to need the disabled player exception.

[Jvalin]

I'd love us to sign Millsap! Problem is, we cannot afford him unless we somehow dump Dunn's salary for cap relief. We do not have access to the bi-annual cause we used our taxpayer MLE. We do not have access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE cause we our above the apron. I mean, if Millsap were willing to sign for the minimum, I bet he would have already joined a contender.

For the gazillionth time, we cannot sign Markkanen. The Celtics cannot make a sign and trade cause we have used the taxpayer MLE. Here's the exact quote from Larry Coon's CBA FAQ:

The team cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade if they have used the Taxpayer Mid-Level exception (see question number 25) that season.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q92

Even if we dump Dunn we still have only the minimum to offer Millsap.  The only reason moving Dunn first would matter is because of luxury tax dollars, and not our ability to pay Millsap any extra.

Not true. If we somehow dump Dunn for cap relief, we'll gain access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE ($3,646,000). This ain't possible right now cause we are over the apron.

No, we wouldn’t regain it.  We’ve used the taxpayer MLE, and that’s that.

From the CBA:

(1) A Team shall be permitted to use the Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception in a Salary Cap Year only if (i) the Team’s Team Salary immediately following the Team’s use of such Exception
exceeds the Tax Level for such Salary Cap Year plus the Tax Apron Amount

So we’ve used the taxpayer MLE because we signed Schröder and are above the apron.

Further:

A Team shall be permitted to use the Non-Taxpayer Mid- Level Salary Exception during a Salary Cap Year only if (i) the Team’s Team Salary at the time the Exception is used and at all times thereafter during the Salary Cap Year does not exceed the Tax Level for such Salary Cap Year plus the Tax Apron Amount, and (ii) at the time the Exception is used, the Team has not already used either the Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception

We’ve used the taxpayer MLE, and we can’t go back to the non-taxpayer MLE.  Anyone we sign can be through the minimum, unless we are unlucky enough to need the disabled player exception.

Have we finalized Schroder's acquisition? Technically speaking, I don't think we have. Only thing I can find is the official press release which states that ''Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed''.

This exception (the non-taxpayer MLE) may be split and given to multiple players.

Teams can split the non-taxpayer MLE. Technically speaking, we may finalize Dunn's salary dump prior to finalizing Schroder's acquisition. By doing this, we can claim that we sign Schroder via a portion of the non-taxpayer MLE. We would then be able to use the remaining part of the non-taxpayer MLE to sign Millsap.

Again, I'm not sure whether we have finalized the Schroder deal though.

[nickagneta]

I'd love us to sign Millsap! Problem is, we cannot afford him unless we somehow dump Dunn's salary for cap relief. We do not have access to the bi-annual cause we used our taxpayer MLE. We do not have access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE cause we our above the apron. I mean, if Millsap were willing to sign for the minimum, I bet he would have already joined a contender.

For the gazillionth time, we cannot sign Markkanen. The Celtics cannot make a sign and trade cause we have used the taxpayer MLE. Here's the exact quote from Larry Coon's CBA FAQ:

The team cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade if they have used the Taxpayer Mid-Level exception (see question number 25) that season.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q92

Even if we dump Dunn we still have only the minimum to offer Millsap.  The only reason moving Dunn first would matter is because of luxury tax dollars, and not our ability to pay Millsap any extra.

Not true. If we somehow dump Dunn for cap relief, we'll gain access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE ($3,646,000). This ain't possible right now cause we are over the apron.

No, we wouldn’t regain it.  We’ve used the taxpayer MLE, and that’s that.

From the CBA:

(1) A Team shall be permitted to use the Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception in a Salary Cap Year only if (i) the Team’s Team Salary immediately following the Team’s use of such Exception
exceeds the Tax Level for such Salary Cap Year plus the Tax Apron Amount

So we’ve used the taxpayer MLE because we signed Schröder and are above the apron.

Further:

A Team shall be permitted to use the Non-Taxpayer Mid- Level Salary Exception during a Salary Cap Year only if (i) the Team’s Team Salary at the time the Exception is used and at all times thereafter during the Salary Cap Year does not exceed the Tax Level for such Salary Cap Year plus the Tax Apron Amount, and (ii) at the time the Exception is used, the Team has not already used either the Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception

We’ve used the taxpayer MLE, and we can’t go back to the non-taxpayer MLE.  Anyone we sign can be through the minimum, unless we are unlucky enough to need the disabled player exception.

Have we finalized Schroder's acquisition? Technically speaking, I don't think we have. Only thing I can find is the official press release which states that ''Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed''.

This exception (the non-taxpayer MLE) may be split and given to multiple players.

Teams can split the non-taxpayer MLE. Technically speaking, we may finalize Dunn's salary dump prior to finalizing Schroder's acquisition. By doing this, we can claim that we sign Schroder via a portion of the non-taxpayer MLE. We would then be able to use the remaining part of the non-taxpayer MLE to sign Millsap.

Again, I'm not sure whether we have finalized the Schroder deal though.

Seems like an awful lot of work to get Millsap only $700,000 more in salary. Salary mind you, that then isn't subsidized by the league, like a vet min contract is.

I am guessing, at this point, Millsap has only vet min options out there, so no need to jump through hoops, hardcap the team and not have a portion of Milsap's contract subsidized. If he wants to come to Boston, it's for the vet min. That's the only offer he will get from the Celtics.

[Jvalin]

I'd love us to sign Millsap! Problem is, we cannot afford him unless we somehow dump Dunn's salary for cap relief. We do not have access to the bi-annual cause we used our taxpayer MLE. We do not have access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE cause we our above the apron. I mean, if Millsap were willing to sign for the minimum, I bet he would have already joined a contender.

For the gazillionth time, we cannot sign Markkanen. The Celtics cannot make a sign and trade cause we have used the taxpayer MLE. Here's the exact quote from Larry Coon's CBA FAQ:

The team cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade if they have used the Taxpayer Mid-Level exception (see question number 25) that season.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q92

Even if we dump Dunn we still have only the minimum to offer Millsap.  The only reason moving Dunn first would matter is because of luxury tax dollars, and not our ability to pay Millsap any extra.

Not true. If we somehow dump Dunn for cap relief, we'll gain access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE ($3,646,000). This ain't possible right now cause we are over the apron.

No, we wouldn’t regain it.  We’ve used the taxpayer MLE, and that’s that.

From the CBA:

(1) A Team shall be permitted to use the Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception in a Salary Cap Year only if (i) the Team’s Team Salary immediately following the Team’s use of such Exception
exceeds the Tax Level for such Salary Cap Year plus the Tax Apron Amount

So we’ve used the taxpayer MLE because we signed Schröder and are above the apron.

Further:

A Team shall be permitted to use the Non-Taxpayer Mid- Level Salary Exception during a Salary Cap Year only if (i) the Team’s Team Salary at the time the Exception is used and at all times thereafter during the Salary Cap Year does not exceed the Tax Level for such Salary Cap Year plus the Tax Apron Amount, and (ii) at the time the Exception is used, the Team has not already used either the Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception

We’ve used the taxpayer MLE, and we can’t go back to the non-taxpayer MLE.  Anyone we sign can be through the minimum, unless we are unlucky enough to need the disabled player exception.

Have we finalized Schroder's acquisition? Technically speaking, I don't think we have. Only thing I can find is the official press release which states that ''Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed''.

This exception (the non-taxpayer MLE) may be split and given to multiple players.

Teams can split the non-taxpayer MLE. Technically speaking, we may finalize Dunn's salary dump prior to finalizing Schroder's acquisition. By doing this, we can claim that we sign Schroder via a portion of the non-taxpayer MLE. We would then be able to use the remaining part of the non-taxpayer MLE to sign Millsap.

Again, I'm not sure whether we have finalized the Schroder deal though.

Seems like an awful lot of work to get Millsap only $700,000 more in salary. Salary mind you, that then isn't subsidized by the league, like a vet min contract is.

I am guessing, at this point, Millsap has only vet min options out there, so no need to jump through hoops, hardcap the team and not have a portion of Milsap's contract subsidized. If he wants to come to Boston, it's for the vet min. That's the only offer he will get from the Celtics.

It would be a bit more than that. The remaining portion of the MLE is $3,646,000. Millsap's minimum salary is $2,641,691 (although only $1,669,178 counts against the cap). Long story short, we'd be allowed to offer him $1,004,309 more than the minimum.

Seems like an awful lot of work

Not at all. We'd just have to wait a bit till we finalize the Schroder deal. According to rumors, we are trying to dump Dunn regardless of the Millspap situation.

If he wants to come to Boston, it's for the vet min. That's the only offer he will get from the Celtics.

Guess what! He won't come to Boston then. You are just speculating on what we're willing to offer him.

[nickagneta]

Guess what! He won't come to Boston then.

You don't know that. Dude has made bank in his career. A million is nothing. No one is jumping to offer him anything more than the min. No need to hardcap the team over a million dollars of salary to a vet min level player.

[Jvalin]

Guess what! He won't come to Boston then.

You don't know that. Dude has made bank in his career. A million is nothing. No one is jumping to offer him anything more than the min. No need to hardcap the team over a million dollars of salary to a vet min level player.

If he were willing to sign for the minimum, chances are he would have already joined a legit contender. Let's face it, the Celtics aren't legit contenders. Not to mention, the city of Boston ain't a top destination for free agents (unlike LA / NY / Miami).

Feel free to believe we'll sign him for the minimum.

[Celtics2021]

I'd love us to sign Millsap! Problem is, we cannot afford him unless we somehow dump Dunn's salary for cap relief. We do not have access to the bi-annual cause we used our taxpayer MLE. We do not have access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE cause we our above the apron. I mean, if Millsap were willing to sign for the minimum, I bet he would have already joined a contender.

For the gazillionth time, we cannot sign Markkanen. The Celtics cannot make a sign and trade cause we have used the taxpayer MLE. Here's the exact quote from Larry Coon's CBA FAQ:

The team cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade if they have used the Taxpayer Mid-Level exception (see question number 25) that season.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q92

Even if we dump Dunn we still have only the minimum to offer Millsap.  The only reason moving Dunn first would matter is because of luxury tax dollars, and not our ability to pay Millsap any extra.

Not true. If we somehow dump Dunn for cap relief, we'll gain access to the remaining non-taxpayer MLE ($3,646,000). This ain't possible right now cause we are over the apron.

No, we wouldn’t regain it.  We’ve used the taxpayer MLE, and that’s that.

From the CBA:

(1) A Team shall be permitted to use the Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception in a Salary Cap Year only if (i) the Team’s Team Salary immediately following the Team’s use of such Exception
exceeds the Tax Level for such Salary Cap Year plus the Tax Apron Amount

So we’ve used the taxpayer MLE because we signed Schröder and are above the apron.

Further:

A Team shall be permitted to use the Non-Taxpayer Mid- Level Salary Exception during a Salary Cap Year only if (i) the Team’s Team Salary at the time the Exception is used and at all times thereafter during the Salary Cap Year does not exceed the Tax Level for such Salary Cap Year plus the Tax Apron Amount, and (ii) at the time the Exception is used, the Team has not already used either the Taxpayer Mid-Level Salary Exception

We’ve used the taxpayer MLE, and we can’t go back to the non-taxpayer MLE.  Anyone we sign can be through the minimum, unless we are unlucky enough to need the disabled player exception.

Have we finalized Schroder's acquisition? Technically speaking, I don't think we have. Only thing I can find is the official press release which states that ''Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed''.

This exception (the non-taxpayer MLE) may be split and given to multiple players.

Teams can split the non-taxpayer MLE. Technically speaking, we may finalize Dunn's salary dump prior to finalizing Schroder's acquisition. By doing this, we can claim that we sign Schroder via a portion of the non-taxpayer MLE. We would then be able to use the remaining part of the non-taxpayer MLE to sign Millsap.

Again, I'm not sure whether we have finalized the Schroder deal though.

Yes, Schröder is signed.  He hit the official NBA transaction wire over a week ago.  The only way we’re not an apron team is if we sneakily signed him for less than the taxpayer MLE.  But then Brad talked about ownership giving him flexibility to continue going above the apron, so that wouldn’t make sense either.

Again, we’re done with free agents that don’t make the minimum.  Doesn’t mean we can’t get Millsap, as there’s unlikely to be any team that’s a contender and has more than the minimum to offer.

I could see Millsap waiting until after the trade deadline to sign on with a team for the stretch run and playoffs.

[Vermont Green]

Millsap is the one potentially interesting one on the list but he is an undersized PF who is 36 and has been on a steady decline in terms of production and minutes since he left ATL after the 2016-17 season.  Although likely an upgrade over Grant Williams, he is not worth being hard capped for.

I believe that the Schroder transaction was made official on 14 Aug 2021.  It is posted as a transaction on CBS Sports, ESPN, Real GM, and Yahoo Sports.  I didn't check any further.  I know it has not been announced so maybe it is to some extent pending, I don't know.  In any case, I don't believe that the Celtics are going to do a deal to hard cap themselves at this point.  It seems Stevens made that clear in a recent interview and that may be why they went ahead and finalized the Schroder deal.