Not a cap expert, but I don't see why this would not be the case. If he opts in, the contract no longer has the potential to be a one-year deal. I think FVV would really want to go to a team to do this. Maybe a team like Boston that has injury issues this season and may be willing to deal a contract this season. Kind of like the Adams situation.
I don't disagree. We could add DFS's salary to get close to 20m, but that would decimate our wing depth, as well as sort of defeat the purpose - DFS is part of the reason I'd be somewhat okay trading Tari. Given this, I'm guessing the following are the most likely scenarios (in no particular order): (1) keeping Tari and either extending him next offseason or arranging a S&T; (2) trade him towards a comparable guard making 10 mil or less, such as Pritchard; or (3) trade him for a solid rotational piece making 10 mil or less and draft capital.
Yes, modifying the contract to remove a player option conditional to a trade is possible. Was done in the Chris Paul trade to the Clippers. No real difference from when the Rockets and Fred mutually agreed to push back the date the Rockets were required to pick up his option this year, just in reverse. Honestly, I don't think that FVV's early-bird rights are worth very much at all and won't play much of role at all, and as much as he's team #betonyourself, he'd be crazy to opt out and turn down $25M next year coming off a major injury. Non-Bird rights would be plenty to retain him regardless after an opt-out, any team would be able to pay him up to 120% of his salary this year ($30M starting salary), 5% annual raises, and a 4-year max term. Early-Bird rights (which he would have after 2 years), would just push this up to 175% of the previous yearly salary ($43.75M, 8% raises, and still a 4-year term).
According to Chat GTP it's possible to preserve his bird rights in that way but I am not sure that's correct .... might need to ask @aelliott or @BimaThug on that one.
