The team to watch for us and the NBA is Atlanta. The NBA salary cap this year is set at $58,044,000. Considering that the salary cap will remain around this number (it will probably increase) then look at the committed salary Atlanta has next year: $18483800 Atlanta obtains this number by not picking up any options, or offering QO's and by dumping any 1st rounders they have. Very plausible considering the cap room opened up would amount to about 40 million dollars.... The players they would have left would be: Al Horford Lou Williams Jeff Teague Now here's where it gets intriguing for the Rockets. Josh Smith Lou Williams and Dwight Howard are all best friends. They grew up in the area too. If I'm Atlanta I have two options going forward. Plan A: resign Smith and sign Howard outright. Leaving the team as Teague Williams Smith Horford Howard I'm not a big fan of this plan since there isn't much spacing on the floor Plan B: Trade Horford for cap expirings at the deadline. Leave yourself at only 6 million dollars committed. Then go hard after Paul, Howard and resign Smith. Leaving you with Paul Teague Williams Smith Howard and all the veteran role players you want. I know there are issues about raises and sign and trades but that would be the framework i'm looking at if i'm Atlanta. Plan B: enter the rockets. If I'm Morey, Im praying that Ferry is thinking along those lines. Then I would offer any expirings, and since were under the cap, we could offer less money and just take Horford straight up. Maybe taking away the protection on our pick to give them a new asset. After picking up Horford I would be calling Kahn up and letting him know that TJones, Horford and Dmo are up for grabs.....
