I really believe that even Harden agreed to that 52 million extension, they were prepared to trade him next summer to not exceed the luxury tax threshold at all, especially if they couldn't win the championship. The reason they were not offering Harden 60 million is that Harden would be a far less attractive trade asset with a 60m contract than a 52m one. Harden probably knew this. That's why he's unwilling to take less money while still leaving a chance of getting moved. I don't have the exact numbers but I believe that even they amnesty Perkins, as the Westbrook and Ibaka deals start to kick in, they would only still exceed the tax line with a Harden deal, on top of paying Perkins over 10m to play for another team. At the end of day, the OKC owner is a cheap ass. He is not even willing to pay one penny of tax with all the profit he made these few years and lucking into a championship caliber squad. Look for them to not re-sign Martin next summer.
he's a cheap ass indeed, it's incredible. For the first time since the Bird Celtics and Red Auerbach, an NBA team hits 3 stars in a draft within a couple years. Maybe even 4 if you count Ibaka. And you break it apart. It's just sad. I'm happy that i'm not a Thunder fan. one thing re luxury tax - it was possible for them to keep their 'big 4', amnesty Perkins and stay under the luxury tax. They'd just have to be cheap at other spots. Oh well. Good for Houston.
LMAO its certanly easy to spend if its not your money, huh? :grin: Amnesty is a crapshoot, how many team right now have capspace spend on Perkins? LMAO if they amnestied him right now he'll get Scola contract (3M a year)...if that. Since no one has any capspace left one team might end up getting the vet min, and OKC has to pay the difference.
How much do you think Thunder profit was last year? Remember it was 22.6 million 2010. The new CBA has one more nasty surprise for the Thunder. The "Rose rule" will apply to Durant (click for link) -- the value of Durant's extension rose by about $4 million per season because of this rule, which puts the Thunder $4 million deeper into the tax if they extend Harden. 4 million more plus tax penalty will bite a big chunk out of Thunder's operational profit!
well, it's not really a surprise. We've been discussing Harden with Durant's actual salary in mind for a year now. It's 16.7 this year and 17.8 next year. This accounts for the new CBA rules. i don't know that we really need to rehash the actual financial facts, it's been overdiscussed.
Yeah, but Ginobili wasn't close to being 24 years old when he took less than max deals and already had rings and the money that comes with the rings. I don't really see those two situations as comparable.
acc to Woj article, Harden was growing unhappy over his limited role on the team--limited no. of shots and minutes in the finals last year. He's competitive; we can't begrudge him that. I would think that factored more heavily into Presti's consideration, not only the money.
I think those are just media spin OKC put out to rationalize this move to their fans to hide their cheapness. Just like NY media attacked Lin's character as soon as he's leaving.
