Not a matter of Les opening his checkbook. There are hard limitations in the CBA (and should be). I wouldn't be shocked if the Rockets trade someone to clear some money. The Rockets are only about a million dollars a season off. It may mean using the MLE or deciding to go under the cap by shedding salary but I expect them to go the MLE route.
But he wasnt always hurt last year, he had one unfortunate injury at the end of the season. We rested him during the season and he was HUGE when we needed him. Nene was part of the reason we had a great playoff up to Harden quitting
Nene was not always hurt last year. His only significant injury was in the playoffs. Where did that come from. It was simply maintenance with him. Which is obviously the smart approach. Had he played every game then all the complainers would find a reason to criticize his fatigue come playoff time
he was in and out of the lineup all season because of preventive measures and actual lingering injuries (sore groin). and he went down in game 3 against SAS, well before harden's meltdown. point is we already know firsthand that he's injury prone. i still want him on the team for when he can play and for his lockerroom influence. but he should not be a main rotation player for us. we still need a reliable big man and should be focused on that during the most important day of the year rosterwise.
The hard cap thing is no joke. Here, for example is what just happened with the Pistons signing Langston Galloway:
IT happens because there are a lot of complex moving parts, tight deadlines and legal interpretations. I'm not sweating it because he wants to be here, the team wants him here, other than the cap strapped Warriors this is the best opportunity to win and frankly the money either way is pretty rediculous. especially per minute played.
Yes they can. They just can't use the non-Bird max to give him an 4thyr at over 38, as that year would be spread over the first three for team salary cap purposes, and would push it over the non-Bird maximum pay. They can do it with the MLE, though.
