KO's, Bradley's, and Thomas's next contract

[JBcat]

KO is a restricted FA next summer, and Bradley's and Thomas's contract is up the following summer.   There are some big decisions coming up with what Danny should do with these players.   

Right now I feel we are fringe contenders where if everything things break right for us we could be in the finals.  It's somewhat where the Hawks have been for the last several years.    It's not a position that I wanted to be in where we are not quite there as contenders but always on the outside looking in.  However the difference between us and the Hawks is we have all these assets, some possible improvements with our current players, and a major key cap space next summer for a max free agent.   

If we land a max free agent next summer like a Blake Griffin or whoever I'm all for going over the cap and re-signing these guys.   I think that's pretty clear for most people as I think at that point we would be true contenders going all in.   It may be our last time to land a max free agent for a while as I think we would only see moderate increases in the cap thereafter. 

The grey area for me is if we are basically the same team in 2017 as a 50 winish team along with our Nets pick while striking out in free agency or a trade for a big star like Cousins.  Do we pull the plug and look to trade any of these players going more into a more conventional rebuild?

I've gone back and forth in my head with this, and I think I'm fine with re-signing these players if we don't get blown away with trade offers if we come up blank without adding another star.   We are a very unique team where we can rebuild on the fly while if everything breaks perfectly for us we are in the finals.    A key for me while doing this I hope we can land a 1 2 punch in the future like a Wiggins and Towns.  We just may have our Wiggins now in Brown (but obviously remains to be seen), and I think it's key we hit it big with 1 of our 2 next Nets picks.   I would then feel much more comfortable keeping the core together.  Of course there are other factors where we could lose them like I mentioned 1) if we get blown away in a trade offer. 2) Rozier, Smart, or even Mickey and Yabu reach their peak potential making it easier to part with KO, Bradley, or Thomas 3) they prefer to reach free agency and leave us. 

So in a roundabout way that's where I am with these 3, and Danny is possibly going to have some hard decisions to make on them.  What do you think? 

[Csfan1984]

It's all on if the price is fair. And like Turner, just be happy for them if they get crazy over pays somewhere else. There are players developing and more picks coming. If everyone (management, coaching and player) does their job IT, KO and AB can be replaced. Let's face it its not like any of those three are top 15 players that you have to hold onto and break the bank.

On trading them in final years I think it depends on what level player is behind them and what the return is. You still want to be trending upward.

[CelticPride2016]

There is no going back to a rebuild under any possible future scenario. The team is simply too good. If in a year or two it looks like a dead end, then maybe that could happen. I doubt it.

These things usually take care of themselves. Isaiah's next contract to me will range from 15 million to 30 million depending on what he does this year. No one knows. If he produces, then the money is his.

Olynyk is restricted and has to produce this year. He is now in the Sullinger seat which has belonged to many such as Humphries and Bass. He is a unique player and most people look forward to seeing how he performs.

I think Thomas is safe unless Rozier or Jackson step up into phenoms. I don't think Smart can handle a lot of pg, but if he does, then that too could influence whether Isaiah stays.

I think Bradley is the most interesting of the three basketball business decisions. He sort of overlaps with Smart and Brown, maybe even Hunter who is also on the clock.

It's about whether or not players are good fits. It's not just moneyball. It's also about the psychology of on court chemistry.

It's about the salary cap and how redundant or unique the players are.

We want this kind of problem. It will mean the roster is stacked and growing.

[mgent]

KO 14 mil
AB 16 mil
IT 24 mil