Probably a pipe dream, but I'd happily take Batum's contract provided that the Hornets throw in PJ Washington.
Boston in: Batum + Washington
Charlotte in: Hayward + Edwards
The Hornets avoid cutting Batum, hence they save $9,043,478 a year for the next 3 seasons. The C's get a very promising 3+D prospect in Washington.
PG: Kemba - Smart - Pritchard - Teague
SG: Brown - Romeo - Smart
SF: Tatum - Nesmith - Batum
PF: Washington - Grant - Semi
C: Thompson - Theis - Timelord
That would put the Celtics over the luxury tax apron, which they are very intentionally trying not to cross this season.
They are realistically only going to be able to acquire a player with a ~$14 million contract. Unless they begin to trade away legitimate rotation players, in which case what's the point.
Ugh, you're right. Forgot we got hard capped by signing Thompson.
How? Signing him did not put the team into lux tax?
Hayward had opted OUT at the point they signed him.
Hard Cap should have nothing to do with his signing or does it just apply to any MLE signing regardless of team payroll. If your team is over the cap and you use more than 1 dollar than the tax payer portion, the BAE or acquire a player in a sign and trade?
Thats dumb if it is.
That wold mean that Charlotte, if they can trade away batum for nothing, and sign and trade for Hayward will be hard capped, even though they are below the salary cap?