CBA question

[freshinthehouse]

Is it possible-if the team has plenty of cap room, of course- to sign a max level free agent to a front-heavy max deal?  It seems like a team that had cap room to spare could do this to make it difficult for a cash strapped team to match an offer for a restricted free agent (looking at you, Jimmy Butler).

[PaulAllen]

Butler will most likely leave Chi but Im not sure if anyone will offer him the max after one stellar year unless he plays outstanding in the playoffs..

[freshinthehouse]

Since Butler would only qualify for the 4th year vet max I'd gladly offer him the max.  If he was in line to make 20+ mill a year I'd have hesitation, but not at 14-17 mill a year.

[Roy H.]

Not really.  Teams can give 15% of the total value of the contract up front as a signing bonus, but it's spread equally over all years of the contract in terms of the cap hit.

Beyond the signing bonus, the max decrease from the first year to the second year is 4.5% of the first year value.

[mgent]

Butler will most likely leave Chi but Im not sure if anyone will offer him the max after one stellar year unless he plays outstanding in the playoffs..

New to the NBA?   

[LooseCannon]

If you're going to try and sign a restricted free agent like Jimmy Butler, your best bet is probably to copy the "untradeable" contract that Dallas signed Chandler Parsons to, with a trade kicker and a player option for the third year.