Why does everyone assume OKC won't pay lux tax? If you had a core of 23 year olds that can contend for who knows how long, wouldn't you pay?
I thought amnesty was expiring though, and that's why we used it on Scola instead of fishing around stuff to trade for him? To answer questions about OKC paying the lux tax, the only thing the CBA was good for was making the lux tax more punitive, you don't just pay orgasmic amounts of money IIRC you also lose abilities to trade for and receive players. Plus, if you pay tax for 2 years the lux tax increases. Its the main reason we got Lin and Asik from the Bulls and NY, two teams who probably would've matched if the new CBA was not in place. So in short, no, they won't pay the tax. Not because they're cheap, its cause they can't afford it and it destroys all flexibility. They might bite the bullet for 1 year and then flip Perkins, we'll see what they do.
Superstar is a stretch. A star is not. He is an olympian and stats suggest that he's gonna be putting up some nice numbers with an increase in usage.
I don't believe amnesty expires. My understanding is since Perkins was under contract when the latest CBA became effective, he can be amnestied. No way OKC can avoid the lux tax in 2014 if they re-sign Harden (which they will). But if they can avoid it in 2013, it would delay the harsh penalty measures by one season. They won't go hog wild over the cap like the Lakers, but Presti won't break up their big 4 unless there is a better option or he gives up on that combo winning a championship. Like you said, we'll see.
Yeah, I am basically in agreement. I like the deal... if they are convinced that HE can move over to center with Cole backing him up. (I am not letting myself even consider Westbrook Jr. or Thabeet as possible candidates.) but, even if he can't move over to center for the first few years, this sets up his next contract when he might be a full time low post threat. You don't let him walk. I still expect Harden to be signed, even if just to be traded later. (Ibaka might even be traded, but I doubt either do.) I have no idea what to expect with Perkins - contract/time wise. He received significant minutes while requiring two surgeries against a team that he did not match up in any positive way. I still think he can be traded for at a minimum - neutral value, but I have a feeling they will ride his contract out until he is an expiring and then trade him and move Serge over to C. I still have hope for Jackson. Sure, he did not improve as much as we would have hoped last year, but it was an abridged season with limited training camp/practices, so I am willing to give him some slack.
I like the idea of targeting Harden, but the timing is not right to go after him. Here's what we know- -OKC has a legit shot at going all in this year to win it all. Losing Harden would ultimately cripple their bench in the playoffs this next season since their really isn't players in the mold of Jason Terry and Manu G. on the market right now. -They do not have the ability to give Harden the max next summer without somehow moving Perkins or amnestying him. Something that can be done after this season. Meaning, there really isn't a huge incentive for the Thunder to make any rash decisions to trade Harden any time soon. If you are going to get Harden, you are going to need to significantly over-pay for him. I think Lamb/Jones+ Toronto pick is way too much to give up right now. If Morey wants to get Harden and not overpay then he needs to root for OKC to have a good year, and Perkins to remain relevant as a defensive big man. That way they go through the entire season with Harden, and risk losing him in the offseason to a team like Houston that offers him the max. I think the odds of that happening are pretty good IMO. You stay patient, retain your assets, and plan on offering Harden the max next summer.
I don't think superstar is a stretch. I think he's the best candidate to become a superstar among shooting guards under the age of 25. It's not a guarantee but it's MUCH closer to a reality for Harden than for anybody the Rockets have.
This is a big year for Jackson. He's more talented and athletic than Maynor but has to learn to play where he isn't the primary focus on offense. There were times I thought he had the same problem as Jerryd Bayless. Other times he looked perfectly like a PG but had serious confidence issues.
Kmart + some combo of young players/picks (whatever's fair? Lamb?) for James "Big Beard" Harden and The Beaumont "Little Beard" Scowl. Cap relief (Kmart won't get $12,000,000 per year again) and young talent, and Morey overpays for a (knock-on-wood) star (Harden can't disappear in the playoffs again). Ain't gonna happen, though.
Harden's not coming here. The asking price via trade will be too high- and Daryl hates to overpay. My guess? He takes less money to stay with his pals in OKC or the Thunder trade Perkins to clear salary or a team like the Suns offer him the max.
12 million per year for a one-dimensional player?? Guess Abdul-Rauf was right http://msn.foxsports.com/topics/m/video/21772215/imow-abdul-rauf-on-today-s-nba.htm
Come on, let's be real here, Ibaka is not an offensive threat nor does he has the post up game a center should have. If you really think he's a 2-way player, your standards have dropped and you have proven my point. As a Rockets fan, I will give you an example: Olajuwon signed a extension worth 34 million over six years which means 5,6 million per year which is not even half of what Ibaka is going to make!
Salary cap has increased over time and so everyone is making more today than in the past. Furthermore, the CBA has changed dramatically since that time. You can't make comparisons to players from another CBA era. For example, MJ made over $5M only twice his entire career. Larry Bird made over $3M only once.
Alright, you have a valid point. Still, do you or any1 believe Ibaka is worth that money? He has a lot to improve on offensively and if the general consensus is that Asik is a one-dimensional player getting paid 8 million is too much then Ibaka is getting way too much for being a one-dimensional player, though arguably better in every way on defense.
The best comparisons for what Ibaka may have made in an open market are the contracts signed in this year's free agent class. Brook Lopez - 4 years / $61M Roy Hibbert - 4 years / $58.4M Eric Gordon - 4 years / $58.4M Nic Batum - 4 years / $45M JaVale McGee - 4 years / $44M He'll be making $2-3M per year less than Lopez and Hibbert and he has way more upside than both. Ibaka is a HUGE steal at 4 years / $48M. He's younger, already an elite rim protector, and is quickly developing his offensive game. As for Asik, he will always be a one-dimensional player. I don't see him ever developing a mid-range or any sort of consistent post move. Ibaka already has a serviceable mid-range and has been developing other aspects of his offense. Ibaka has also shown he can play starter's minutes.
Lol @ people wanting us sign ibaka so him and asik can have the same problem on offense as him and perkins. Good signing by OKC, was expecting him to get more money. Hopefully we will have a shot at harden now, I expect him to either re-sign for a little less than max or take his talents to Phoenix...
