This is my understanding as well so as long as the rockets don't dip into the MLE they have control over what happens with KJ. It's just a question of if they're willing to use it all for KJ and keep nothing for a longer contract for Harrell or smith.
You are correct in that the max K he can receive has to start at the full MLE in year 1, thus enabling us to match. So we CAN match any offer to him.. but teams can also poison pill the third and fourth year to make us less likely to do so. However, I think the chances of that happening are slim.
I believe KJ is a RFA and because of his limited time in the league is subject to the Arenas rule. The rockets can match anything and he can't be offered anything higher than the MLE. But, if anyone really offers the full MLE, I think they should walk away. One other wrinkle that I haven't seen discussed is the possibility of the rockets going into the regular season with some or most of their MLE to offer the yearly waived vets after the trade deadline. It would be pretty ironic if this happens at the expense of losing Josh Smith.
someone will offer the full mle and that will leave nothing for harell and smith. there are teams that have done nothing in free agency and have both capspace and mles waiting to be spent. now kj is the best target to spend them on from the remaining free agents in the market.
10th of july we will know. There also three prominent rfa still remaining unsigned. Kanter who is rumoured to have been offered 15 per Reggie Jackson and TT who is after the full max. These three can make some teams with tons of capspace (orlando and portland) turn their interest in them instead of kj.
This may have already been posted but Rudy Gay was apparently recruiting our boy Smoove last night. (Can't embed tweets on mobile) https://twitter.com/therealbradg/status/617654378556624897
Rudy Gay posted a snapchat of him saying smith would be the next King. Which started a bunch of speculation on how the Kings could swing that and if smith would walk to them or not. Some other KJ speculation but nothing really happening until the 10th
Signed Bev for 3 years for 18 min. Team option for 4th year. Signed Brewer for 3 years 24 mil. No options. Kings pursuing J Smoove but according to Bima Kings might have used their remaining cap space on Kotas Kofus signing. Nothing brewing yet with Mcdaniels. Besides that all quiet on the western front.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rodney Stuckey has agreed in principle on three-year, $21 million deal with the Indiana Pacers, league sources tell RealGM. Year 3 opt out.</p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/617756060577857536">July 5, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
good deal for the pacers, another win for the ariza contract tho :grin::grin::grin::grin::grin::grin:
