How can the Warriors afford everyone?

[Magnus]

I don't really understand how NBA salary cap works, but it's supposed to prevent you from getting 5 all-star players, right? Cause there's no way you could pay everyone.

I remember a couple of years ago when the Thunder had to decide if they'll keep Harden or Ibaka, because they also had KD and Westbrook and couldn't afford all 4 of them.

So I don't understand how the warriors can have Curry, Thompson, Green, KD AND Cousins? Can someone explain some stuff to me:

1) I have read recently that Green wants the supermax contract, so I'd assume that Curry and Thompson would want one too once their contract expires. Is there any way that GSW can keep this core for multiple years or will they have to blow it up eventually, similar to OKC?

2) How come Cousins, nevermind the injury, can get only 5 million dollars for a contract and that's the best offer that anyone got him? There's players much much worse than him who have a lot bigger contracts...

3) How much cap space do the Warriors have right now? Can they sign anyone else?

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

I don't really understand how NBA salary cap works, but it's supposed to prevent you from getting 5 all-star players, right? Cause there's no way you could pay everyone.

I remember a couple of years ago when the Thunder had to decide if they'll keep Harden or Ibaka, because they also had KD and Westbrook and couldn't afford all 4 of them.

So I don't understand how the warriors can have Curry, Thompson, Green, KD AND Cousins? Can someone explain some stuff to me:

1) I have read recently that Green wants the supermax contract, so I'd assume that Curry and Thompson would want one too once their contract expires. Is there any way that GSW can keep this core for multiple years or will they have to blow it up eventually, similar to OKC?

2) How come Cousins, nevermind the injury, can get only 5 million dollars for a contract and that's the best offer that anyone got him? There's players much much worse than him who have a lot bigger contracts...

3) How much cap space do the Warriors have right now? Can they sign anyone else?

This may help explain some of it:
http://www.businessinsider.com/golden-state-warriors-contracts-help-them-build-team-2015-4

It's from 2015, but gives you a window how this was made possible.

 

[Phrazbit]

The Thunder were also monumentally stupid. Dumped Harden over a couple mil and now are looking at paying Carmelo 30 mil for one season (and they might cut him and eat the money) with another 60 mil in luxury tax.

 

[overseascardfan]

Their owner is super rich and is paying a huge luxury tax bill. Eventually the team will be dismantled before that half a billion luxury tax comes around.

 

[Weenus O'Baggins]

Because there is no hard cap in the NBA. You can do all sorts of things to get around the cap. So even as maxed out as the Warriors are, they still get the ability to sign players for a set average contract, which is what Boogie got.

The players don't want the hard cap because it limits their salaries.

What this does mean is that the owners will likely take a much harder stance on the cap at the next CBA

 

[Mainstreet]

One year signings also appears to be a way to keep high priced players who are always looking for the CAP to be increased or a surge in the market.

 

[Dback Jon]

Hard Cap is the only way to save the NBA

 

[Mainstreet]

Because there is no hard cap in the NBA. You can do all sorts of things to get around the cap. So even as maxed out as the Warriors are, they still get the ability to sign players for a set average contract, which is what Boogie got.

The players don't want the hard cap because it limits their salaries.

What this does mean is that the owners will likely take a much harder stance on the cap at the next CBA

The problem is the owners will want to crumble because there is too much money to be lost by a lockout. And that's probably what it will take.

The NBA should play scrubs (I will watch) until the players cave in... even if it's a couple of years. Have to think long term.

The Suns might even win their first championship this way.

 

[Adrian]

The Suns might even win their first championship this way.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Hard Cap in the NBA is likely to cause teams to lose their homegrown stars on a regular basis, which I argue is worse for the NBA than a few teams dominating which has always been the case.

Maybe there is middle ground, say, a hard cap on Luxury Tax? Simply having a repeater (huge) tax is not a deterrent to franchises flush with cash like the Warriors. Simply don't allow teams to blow past a certain level of tax.

 

[Dback Jon]

Hard Cap in the NBA is likely to cause teams to lose their homegrown stars on a regular basis, which I argue is worse for the NBA than a few teams dominating which has always been the case.

Maybe there is middle ground, say, a hard cap on Luxury Tax? Simply having a repeater (huge) tax, simply don't allow teams to blow past a certain level of tax.

Add a franchise feature like the NFL. Keep the ability for a team to pay a drafted player more than they could get from another team.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Hard Cap in the NBA is likely to cause teams to lose their homegrown stars on a regular basis, which I argue is worse for the NBA than a few teams dominating which has always been the case.

Maybe there is middle ground, say, a hard cap on Luxury Tax? Simply having a repeater (huge) tax, simply don't allow teams to blow past a certain level of tax.

Why is that? The way I see it a hard cap would make it impossible for already good teams to poach top free agents. The only teams that would be able to take a good player off the market are teams that either were good, but had to let a good player leave to make room or bad teams that don't already have star players. What it would do is force teams to be more stingy about throwing out massive contracts.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Looks like you all are arguing for the NFL model. Franchise player tag and a hard cap.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Hard Cap is the only way to save the NBA

First off, the dollars say the NBA doesn't need saving. Secondly, it's not a foregone conclusion that a hard cap would solve this problem. It would force players to accept less money in order to join the team of their choice but the real big names would easily make it up in endorsements. And lastly, I see no way the NBA could get the PA to agree to it and this TV contract has huge penalties in it if something like a strike or lockout occurs.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Looks like you all are arguing for the NFL model. Franchise player tag and a hard cap.

And the NFL players are trying to figure out how they can force a more NBA-like agreement with ownership.

 

[JCSunsfan]

And the NFL players are trying to figure out how they can force a more NBA-like agreement with ownership.

Of course they are. If players could, they would kill the golden goose to get theirs now. To me, the NFL agreement favors the owners too much and the NBA agreement favors the players too much--not in salary cut, but in autonomy.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Of course they are. If players could, they would kill the golden goose to get theirs now. To me, the NFL agreement favors the owners too much and the NBA agreement favors the players too much--not in salary cut, but in autonomy.

Too true. And it's in all walks of life.

 

[Folster]

Also teams are able to resign their own free agents without respect of the cap

Teams that are above the salary cap and above the luxury tax are also allowed a tax payer exception of about 5 million add even more salary which is what they did with Cousins.

Teams are also allowed to exceed the cap to sign league minimum contracts as well as their own first round draft picks.

I propose no tax payer exceptions, no minimum contracts and no rookie signings while you are a luxury tax payer. Bird rights can stay in tact.

 

[Hoop Head]

Also teams are able to resign their own free agents without respect of the cap

Teams that are above the salary cap and above the luxury tax are also allowed a tax payer exception of about 5 million add even more salary which is what they did with Cousins.

Teams are also allowed to exceed the cap to sign league minimum contracts as well as their own first round draft picks.

I propose no tax payer exceptions, no minimum contracts and no rookie signings while you are a luxury tax payer. Bird rights can stay in tact.

That would never fly. A team that couldn't even fill their roster with minimum salaries or rookies? That is absurd. What if a stacked team has someone leave for greener pastures where they'll be featured more and make more money? Then the stacked team couldn't replace them with anyone, at all. They couldn't sign a 12th man or a rookie to take that spot. What if a player retired? Too bad, you've got to compete with 10 guys now. Shouldn't have paid your best players when you did because now you'll be shorthanded.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Also teams are able to resign their own free agents without respect of the cap

Teams that are above the salary cap and above the luxury tax are also allowed a tax payer exception of about 5 million add even more salary which is what they did with Cousins.

Teams are also allowed to exceed the cap to sign league minimum contracts as well as their own first round draft picks.

I propose no tax payer exceptions, no minimum contracts and no rookie signings while you are a luxury tax payer. Bird rights can stay in tact.

I would think you would have to allow rookie signings.

 

[Folster]

That would never fly. A team that couldn't even fill their roster with minimum salaries or rookies? That is absurd. What if a stacked team has someone leave for greener pastures where they'll be featured more and make more money? Then the stacked team couldn't replace them with anyone, at all. They couldn't sign a 12th man or a rookie to take that spot. What if a player retired? Too bad, you've got to compete with 10 guys now. Shouldn't have paid your best players when you did because now you'll be shorthanded.

They can reduce their salary to get below the tax line and then make additional signings. It's a harder cap.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

My thought process would be something somewhat similar to the current situation, but with a hard cap at some point. For instance it could something like salary cap 101m (based on cap that is determined for that year) and hard cap at 10-15% beyond that number. The more money spent in between the salary cap and the hard cap would equal more money in taxes. This at least stops teams from loading up on talent just to chase a few rings and it stops teams from being willing to go WAY over the cap and pay a ton of taxes.

 

[SirStefan32]

Also teams are able to resign their own free agents without respect of the cap

Teams that are above the salary cap and above the luxury tax are also allowed a tax payer exception of about 5 million add even more salary which is what they did with Cousins.

Teams are also allowed to exceed the cap to sign league minimum contracts as well as their own first round draft picks.

I propose no tax payer exceptions, no minimum contracts and no rookie signings while you are a luxury tax payer. Bird rights can stay in tact.

That is an interesting idea!

 

[JCSunsfan]

That would never fly. A team that couldn't even fill their roster with minimum salaries or rookies? That is absurd. What if a stacked team has someone leave for greener pastures where they'll be featured more and make more money? Then the stacked team couldn't replace them with anyone, at all. They couldn't sign a 12th man or a rookie to take that spot. What if a player retired? Too bad, you've got to compete with 10 guys now. Shouldn't have paid your best players when you did because now you'll be shorthanded.

I think it is absurd to require that retired players, even deceased players, count against the cap. They should come off the cap immediately. In the case of retired players, they come off the cap immediately, but their former team should retain their rights if they "un-retire."

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

I think it is absurd to require that retired players, even deceased players, count against the cap. They should come off the cap immediately. In the case of retired players, they come off the cap immediately, but their former team should retain their rights if they "un-retire."

agreed...