So how exactly do the Rockets have to spend this offseason? Besides Wesley's contract, who else is coming off the books? What is the total amount of money available including MLE and LLE's or whatever extra money the league offers to acquire a player?
We have quite a few expiring contracts, but they won't have an impact on salary cap space, they'll just give management enough wiggle room to be able to sign some players with the exceptions (MLE, vet and any a couple TPE's that can be used in a trade) and not cross into luxury tax territory. That's why really the only way to significantly improve the team this summer is with a high draft pick.
We'll just have the MLE and veteran exception. Yes, a few contracts are coming off the books but it won't put us under the cap.
We should have room under the luxury tax threshold to sign a $5 mil MLE player, our first round pick, some minimum salaried players, and that's about it.
IMO, we might get Sura's medical exception next season. Then again, he might play 3 games next season and Rockets never apply for an exception.
Actually the one big problem we have is Juwan's contract. It was the real price we had to pay for getting T-Mac. Bloody Weisbrod ... managed to screw over two franchises within a single tenure. No offense to Juwan of course -- I really respect the guy and love the professionalism and leadership he brings every night, but man, that contract ... I wish there was some kind of scenario in which Juwan would just become a hero and offer to sacrifice his contract for the team.
If you're under the cap you DON'T get the MLE. It's a salary cap exception. Why would you be allowed an exception to the cap if you're not violating it? Since most teams are over the cap, they're all allowed a MLE every year...but using it will still count against whether you pay the luxury tax. An owner most likely won't use the MLE if it puts him into luxury tax territory.
honestly its such a weak free agency class, it will be hard to find someone justified using it. I think we end up splitting it and bringing V-Span over from Greece. Then our top 10 pick will need to be able to perform, and the 31st pick needs to be a good one too, thats a valuable pick. I dont see us bringing a Bonzi Wells, Harpring in for the MLE. No one is taking Juwan's contract without giving us something bad. Trading Swift is going to create a hole on the bench, and there are not that many big men out there. How we draft is going to be crucial and bringing V-Span over from greece will also be huge as he can slide easily into the spot behind Alston. We actually have the chance to bring 3 young players onto this roster next year. Very exciting.
