Sure would be nice to have some nice chunk salaries right now that could be used to trade if they weren't just better themselves. Really was a travesty the Fournier TPE wasn't used and now we've let the Hernangomez go by the wayside as well. Just unacceptable roster moves and construction.
Yes, and what all the fans who are preaching "Player X wouldn't be playing much anyway" are overlooking is that lack of chunk salaries is going to hurt in the off-season, too. It's better for the team to have even a garbage player like Rudy Gay on the roster than an empty roster spot, because Rudy Gay's salary can be combined with others in the off-season to bring back a meaningful player. If we'd used the TPEs earlier in the season, we could be combining them together now.
Let's say Wyc had truly opened up the check book, like he's lied about several times. Then, we trade for Alec Burks, getting NY to pay us a draft pick in the process. We trade for Gay. We'd then have around $17 million just between those two players to match salary. Add in Gallinari and we'd be able to take on John Collins salary, without touching the current rotation.
But, without those chunk salaries, you can't really trade for improvements, now or in the future.
That’s a good point. Though I think you’re calling for the Cs to add $17M in salary which means another ~$65 in lux tax ($82M total) for: a 7th-8th man in the rotation (Burks) and a deep bench player (Gay), and the possibility we might be able to bundle these guys later to land a better player by adding some picks. You’re right that there is a limit to what the owners are willing to spend - they won’t pay the equivalent of two mid-career max deals for marginal players who raise our title odds just a little bit. Is that “lying” about being willing to spend? I see your point though I think it’s a little harsh. It would be a pretty massive payout for the chance that maybe this improves our odds of winning. They’re well into the tax, and getting Brogdon wasn’t cheap; also, we still haven’t seen what they’re willing to do. Entirely possible for them to grab a buyout guy and another small-salary guy and be top-5 in the league on salary - competing with teams that have much bigger revenue streams
I've said before that I understand not using the $17 million TPE if there are budget restrictions. It's probably unfair to ask an owner to lose money, for instance.
But, to me that all changes when the owner is loudly and proudly in front of the media saying there are no budgetary or financial constraints, that he'll do whatever it takes to win a title. In that circumstance, then you *maximize* your shot at a title, money be dam
ned. And, maximizing your shot means adding Alec Burks instead of allowing the TPE to expire, and adding tradeable salary, etc.
And, for whatever its worth, the team made $137 million in operating income last year. Even with payroll and tax increases, if they bring in the same revenue this year, Wyc and Pags will make around $40 million in profit. I'd expect revenue to actually be higher in the regular season, although time will tell regarding the playoffs.
So, $40 million in profits potentially kept in ownership's pocket. Are those the actions of a team that is truly maxing out its opportunities?