That's roughly NT-MLE money next year. I'm not so certain that he'd get that offer. Only Brooklyn is projected to have a lot of cap space nest offseason (again?), and 7 teams used the non-taxpayer MLE this year (according to chat gtp). Free agency has become rough for mid tier players. Next season the projection is only 7% growth in the cap. Things could get really tight with teams dodging aprons. They could let him test RFA and match and come in well under that figure. I haven't looked at the list of potential FA's or RFA's .... Where Tari ranks among them also play a part in what he ultimately gets paid and who gets the leftovers.
Wizards, Bulls, and Jazz also project to a lot of cap space next year. The Rockets financial situation will likely be close to the 2nd apron next season. Teams are generally reluctant to tie up their books on RFA as teams generally match. In Tari's situation, teams will know a financial leverage for the Rockets that they can push past by a large margin with a declining contract such that it is not an overpay for them, but cripples the Rockets. Taking Tari to RFA would not be a wise move unless the 2nd apron doesn't matter.
