A lot has been said nationally about how the Rockets overpaid for Lin. 25 million over 3 years is obviously a lot for a guy whose entire career accomplishments came in a 25-30 game run, phonomenal as it was. But if you look at it big picture, its a genious contract. The fact that the Rox have no big contracts in that third year means they wont be anywhere near the tax situation the Knicks faced. Secondly, the fact that Nicolas Batum and Javale Mcghee got four year deals averaging close to 11 million per year makes Lin at three years and an average of 8.33 million a year seem a lot more reasonable. More importantly, I see this as a two year 10 million dollar contract, followed by a one year close to 15 million dollar expiring contract. If Lin plays anywhere near how he played last year over the next two years, its a great value contract. If he is average that is not a terrible contract. More importantly, if he is average that third year, although hugely overpaid, Lin's contract would be a huge trading chip. Tmac's expiring contract landed us the Knicks trade and most big time trades involve some kind of cap relief which is what Lin could offer in year three. Either way, I see it as a win win situation for the Rox.
His cap hit is 8.33m every season. While he is getting paid 5-5-15, his cap hit is not so. Common misconception.
We won't have a 15 million expiring contract. That was only if NY matched. The contract is 8/8/8 for the Rockets. But yes, that is a reasonable deal for a starting point guard. Definitely not paid like a star. As a matter of fact, he makes around the same amount as starting guards Mo Williams, Rodney Stuckey and Devin Harris.
In terms of cap the contract is worth around 8 mil a year, and in a trade would only be worth an 8mil expiring in the 3rd year. From here on in, I don't think it's worth discussing the ACTUAL costs to the team for this contract as they no longer factor into ANY cap rules.
Great point on javale. He was the laughing stock of the NBA with the Wizards although talented. He went to Denver, played in 20 games and started in 5. He played great in Denver and they offered him a 4 year 44 million dollar contract averaging around 11 million a year. Offering Lin a 3 year 25 million dollar contract averaging around 8 million a year is more than fair for a 23 going on 24 year old contract is of great value considering that he has tremendous upside and is already a good guard for such a young age. Another great example is the Cavaliers and Kyrie irving. He played 11 college games and was a number 1 draft pick (he is a great guard). Before stepping onto an NBA floor the Cavaliers signed him to a 4 year close to 30 million dollar contract. Kyrie is a young up and coming guard like Lin. Another example is Rubio who received a 4 year close to 20 million dollar contract once drafted as well. Lins contract is fine.
You want to talk about NBA contracts? Check out the contract the Nets offered Brook Lopez. Four-year, $61 million!
Lopez? Chris Humphries dude Prok is playing with play money. Don't even compare. It's just awesome that he's shoving that monopoly dough down Dolan's fat face
Well last huge (which as many have stated, the numbers are deceiving) exp. contract we traded was to NY. We can always trade Lin to NY. Oh the hilarity.
The contract is not 8/8/8...its what counts against the rockets cap...and btw...its 8.35 mil...i think...the Salaries are paid based on the offer sheet...5, 5.25, 14.5mil
and the amount of the cap hit is all that is important in trades or other cap maneuvers...not the actual dollars. The *actual* dollars involved per year is only important to Lin.
Rubio and Kyrie had their contract amounts dictated by their draft number.... That's why Thabeet's contract was so atrocious, he was drafted #2 overall, and as such, had to be paid the same amount as all #2 picks.