I think the other guys did a fairly good job of explaining it. You can also read the "Myth of 2010 Free Agency" OP to which I linked in my OP for this thread. Of course they would not have. That was my entire point. In order to have cleared the cap room in the first place, they would have had to renounce those guys' rights. But that, as you said, would be stupid. Hence, making the New York trade was smart at the time and is only further emphasized by the events of the past week.
Clutch may have some thoughts on that fairly soon. Keep an eye out the next couple of days for a front page article from him.
Though always with a caveat. Only for superstar acquisitions. Not declining Hayes's option could prove to be a mistake.
Bima, its obvious you seek rep points. If its rep you want you better quit with all of this and dedicate your efforts to fart jokes like the rest of upper echelon green dot guys.
While I agree that the Rockets would probably try to duck under the tax if they were only $2-3M over it and had no better trade options on the table, I doubt that the Rockets will be that close to the threshold. CH didn't count Patrick Patterson's salary (likely about $1.82M) and hasn't factored the team signing anyone for even a portion of the MLE. Also, I think the Rockets would be looking to ADD salary at the deadline rather than shed salary. Other teams will be more desperate that Houston to save money and may be willing to part with better assets in exchange for financial relief. One other thing to consider as that the league's total luxury tax revenues will likely be substantially less than in years past. Most notably, the Knicks will no longer be tax payers. They had been basically funding half the revenues for the past five years. Also, other teams' tax burden will be far less (or gone) next year, such as the Cavs (especially if Lebron leaves), Celtics, Spurs, Suns, Wizards, Jazz and Heat. Les is going to be far less motivated to sneak below the tax threshold next year, since that revenue distribution will be far less than in years past. Bottom line: I think Les pays the tax next year.
I did account for Patterson, but you are right, I didn't consider the MLE spending. If there is indeed an MLE (or a portion of the MLE) worthy guy to sign, then they may well just pay the tax especially if there is something to be gained in eating salary at the deadline. All depends on what's available, I guess.
