How can the Warriors afford everyone?

[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?

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/7...-kevin-durant-sign-free-agent-2016-salary-cap

Timely article posted a few hours ago:

This whole process was really unthinkable, and there’s a chance we never see a team afforded such opportunities and capitalize on them like this.

The NBPA gave players the power to ruin many franchises and build up one
The Warriors path to dominance all started when the league signed a multi-billion television deal set to unleash a ridiculous sum of money into players’ pockets. Set to take effect in 2016-17, NBA free agents were preparing to make more money than ever before as the salary cap rose.

The league proposed this new basketball related income be “smoothed,” or gradually introduced to the league over a number of years. But the Players Association rejected that notion, with NBPA executive director Michele Roberts citing the proposal would artificially deflate the salary cap and not allow for salaries to increase as much as they could without “smoothing.”


The rejection allowed the biggest cap spike in league history, affording teams without any or merely limited cap space the ability to sign talent in the infamous summer of 2016.

The Warriors went supernova while the rest of the league fell into traps
Given the gift of maximum cap space after a 73-9 season, Golden State opened their wallets to let Durant take this newfound money and join the winningest team of all time.

Yes, almost everyone else had that space, too. But the Warriors were one of few teams — and maybe the only team — to use their cap space wisely.

While Golden State made one of the most historic signings of all time, most other franchises lost battles with agents and players, who had all the leverage to sign contracts way out of their price range. Teams had more money, and players weren’t going to sign deals without snatching up as much as they could.

Man, some of these deals were bad.

Remember:

• Luol Deng signed a four-year, $72 million deal with the Lakers,
• Timofey Mozgov signed a four-year, $64 million deal with the Lakers
• Ian Mahinmi inked a four-year, $64 million contract with the Wizards
• Allen Crabbe signed for four years and $75 million
• Joakim Noah signed for four years and $72 million
• This list goes on.

 

[Dback Jon]

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.

Give it a couple more years of this Super Team crap and they will.

 

[Dback Jon]

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.

Bird rights should only be available if the team drafted that player.

 

[Hoop Head]

Bird rights should only be available if the team drafted that player.

That's too drastic and would limit player movement too much. Just make bird rights non-transferable. That way they need to stay with their team for 3 years before they can use them. I think something would need to be done also to keep players from getting their team to sign them to a high priced extension and then traded. As it is now there are a few things that only a player resigning with their team can receive. You can only get a 5 year contract while resigning with your current team as well as the higher raises in the contract, 7.5% increases compared to 5%.

The main thing that was added recently was the designated player deals where a team that drafted a player could resign them for more than any other team, upping the max an extra 5% for players if they have only played for that 1 team throughout their career.Blake Griffin signed a deal like that before he was dealt to the Pistons. He should have only received a max that was 30% but since he was a designated player he was eligible for 35%. The downside is how that bigger deal went with him when he was dealt. I know he didn't demand a trade or anything like that but if a player is traded within the first 4 years of a deal like that he should forfeit the difference between a regular max and the designated player deal. That would keep players from only resigning with their original team and then forcing their way out.

 

[Dback Jon]

That's too drastic and would limit player movement too much. Just make bird rights non-transferable. That way they need to stay with their team for 3 years before they can use them. I think something would need to be done also to keep players from getting their team to sign them to a high priced extension and then traded. As it is now there are a few things that only a player resigning with their team can receive. You can only get a 5 year contract while resigning with your current team as well as the higher raises in the contract, 7.5% increases compared to 5%.

The main thing that was added recently was the designated player deals where a team that drafted a player could resign them for more than any other team, upping the max an extra 5% for players if they have only played for that 1 team throughout their career.Blake Griffin signed a deal like that before he was dealt to the Pistons. He should have only received a max that was 30% but since he was a designated player he was eligible for 35%. The downside is how that bigger deal went with him when he was dealt. I know he didn't demand a trade or anything like that but if a player is traded within the first 4 years of a deal like that he should forfeit the difference between a regular max and the designated player deal. That would keep players from only resigning with their original team and then forcing their way out.

The whole reasoning behind the Bird Rights was to allow a team to develop their players and keep them.

 

[Mainstreet]

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.

NBA teams having walk-ons. I like it.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Give it a couple more years of this Super Team crap and they will.

Maybe. I'm certainly not in love with it.

 

[Hoop Head]

Superteams seem to draw in casual fans. It's like watching the All-Star game or the Olympics. You get to see 5 guys who are at the top of their league all playing together and seeing what they can accomplish. There is a good chance old records will be broken and people enjoy seeing history be made. The details of how it comes to be doesn't matter to the majority of fans.

That's part of why you'll see casual Suns fans complain about the team being bad and never adding top free agents. They don't understand what happens behind the scenes. They just know Lebron changed teams and that the Suns should have signed him. In their mind it's that easy.

 

[pinetopred]

Superteams seem to draw in casual fans. It's like watching the All-Star game or the Olympics. You get to see 5 guys who are at the top of their league all playing together and seeing what they can accomplish. There is a good chance old records will be broken and people enjoy seeing history be made. The details of how it comes to be doesn't matter to the majority of fans.

That's part of why you'll see casual Suns fans complain about the team being bad and never adding top free agents. They don't understand what happens behind the scenes. They just know Lebron changed teams and that the Suns should have signed him. In their mind it's that easy.

I consider myself a very casual NBA fan I used to really like the Suns still somewhat follow when it's not football season. The Super teams idea has ruined it in alot of ways for me. Hard cap keeps things interesting if a team drafts well makes good choices otherwise who cares every person that kinda follows basketball knew which teams would be in the finals, and what the result would be JMO. They gave all the power to the players and they think that's how you keep causal fans interested in a very predictable product. Good Luck

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I consider myself a very casual NBA fan I used to really like the Suns still somewhat follow when it's not football season. The Super teams idea has ruined it in alot of ways for me. Hard cap keeps things interesting if a team drafts well makes good choices otherwise who cares every person that kinda follows basketball knew which teams would be in the finals, and what the result would be JMO. They gave all the power to the players and they think that's how you keep causal fans interested in a very predictable product. Good Luck

Done the same for me. The only thing I watch these days is summer league and the Suns. I have no interest in watching other teams in the regular season or the playoffs. Used to be a big NBA fan in general.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Done the same for me. The only thing I watch these days is summer league and the Suns. I have no interest in watching other teams in the regular season or the playoffs. Used to be a big NBA fan in general.

Yeah I’ll watch the suns if I can but it hasn’t been “appointment” tv in a long time. But I chalk that up to how bad they’ve been. I’m sure I’ll reengage more tomorrow watch the young fellas. But the rest of the league has essentially lost me. I can’t even bring myself to watch the playoffs or even finals. And ask cheese I’m a VORACIOUS sports consumer. He regularly marvels at the fact that my dad and I can sit and happily watch a high school football or hoops game - that’s how much I love sports. But non-suns nba? Meh.

And I’m their golden ticket. 40-something white male sports nut with a lot of disposable income and two young boys with two brothers and a father who love sports. Men, men, men, men, men-to-be, men-to-be, money, yada yada yada. And they’ve pretty much lost me as a primary consumer.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I did like watching the Warriors a few years back, but outside of that and the Suns I haven't really watched it much since LeBron's "decision". That type of crap just turns me off.

 

[SunsFanFirst]

Super teams dont bother me.. its the fact that the concept of “team” has changed and quite frankly hardly exists today. I think the biggest killer of this is fantasy sports. We all covet the “stacked” fantasy team of allstars and this has carried over.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Super teams dont bother me.. its the fact that the concept of “team” has changed and quite frankly hardly exists today. I think the biggest killer of this is fantasy sports. We all covet the “stacked” fantasy team of allstars and this has carried over.

Uh no. I’ve played fantasy football for over 30 years now and I’m disgusted by this crap.

 

[SunsFanFirst]

Uh no. I’ve played fantasy football for over 30 years now and I’m disgusted by this crap.

Maybe you and I are the exception. After years of playing and all the collusion and awful trade offers by those trying to stack their team I can help but feel its changed the way we all look at sports.

 

[Western Font]

As others have theorized, a hard cap starts a few players and agents thinking about a breakaway league. Unlikely, but I actually wonder what the audience would be for a smaller league with stars and super teams totally in control.

I would stay watching the Suns regardless, but I root for the laundry.

 

[oaken1]

the super team effect may depend on whether or not its your team.

I grew up watching the dubs....I remember even after winning a title(76?) they couldnt even give tickets away... local radio and tv shows were always giving tickets and nobody ever came and picked them up.

when I moved to Phoenix I became a suns fan. Back then there were two super teams...Lakers-Celtics..... everyone knew it was gonna be one of them hoisting the trophy at years end...little run by the pistons...then another super team,... the chicago bulls...

the nba has thrived on the super team. it has never been a parody league like the nfl tries to be.

when the nba went on strike ten or fifteen years ago...I stopped watching... but after I moved back to norcal, and the dubs were winning again... I started watching again.

I still have a soft spot for the suns, they were the team that got me hard core into the nba and most of my good nba memories are suns related... but they are a piss poor organization...ownership/management is extremely lacking.... when the west was weak they could have jumped and built a great team...but they didnt,... the dubs did.
I am glad they did. I love basketball, but I had grown to hate the nba... but my home team is kicking ass,...and suddenly I am watching the nba again..

I was actually surprised Lebron didnt sign with the dubs... he chose to retire instead... L.A. is a nice place to retire.

the suns need new ownership...someone who is willing to commit.... Most of you guys would feel completely different about super teams if it were the suns bringing home titles.
you may claim differently.... but get a taste of it first....three rings in and it aint boring yet

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I think people are misinterpreting the disappointment that people have in this current league. I don't think there are many people out there that are looking for a legitimate parity (like the NFL) and are generally okay with the idea that there is going to be 2-3 teams that are almost certainly going to be the team hoisting the trophy. The problem is in how this current system allows it to happen, specifically the Warriors situation.

Sure you can point to past teams that were dominant and even dominant teams that were able to continue to add more talent through free agency, but when was the last time (prior to KD to the Warriors) that a championship caliber team was able to find a way to sign an MVP caliber player in their prime to add to their core? That completely kills the competitive nature of the league and makes it damn near impossible for anyone else to even catch them after a couple years.

Look at most of the dominant teams in the history of the NBA and for the most part they were unable to win more than 3 championships in a row, but this Warriors team could feasibly win about 5-6 in a row at this point. The current system makes it too easy for a team that already has a high payroll and already has a ton of talent to find ways to fit in yet another huge contract onto their Books to make their team even more unstoppable then they already were.

 

[Phrazbit]

By nature, the NBA will never have the parity of other sports. There are only 5 players out there at a time and everyone plays both ways. Other sports, even hockey, individual players spend, at most, half the game out on the filed/rink. In the NBA good players play 75-90% of the game. Even if you distributed the top 120 players evenly across the league you'd still know what 3 or 4 teams will matter in the end.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

I think people are misinterpreting the disappointment that people have in this current league. I don't think there are many people out there that are looking for a legitimate parity (like the NFL) and are generally okay with the idea that there is going to be 2-3 teams that are almost certainly going to be the team hoisting the trophy. The problem is in how this current system allows it to happen, specifically the Warriors situation.

Sure you can point to past teams that were dominant and even dominant teams that were able to continue to add more talent through free agency, but when was the last time (prior to KD to the Warriors) that a championship caliber team was able to find a way to sign an MVP caliber player in their prime to add to their core? That completely kills the competitive nature of the league and makes it damn near impossible for anyone else to even catch them after a couple years.

Look at most of the dominant teams in the history of the NBA and for the most part they were unable to win more than 3 championships in a row, but this Warriors team could feasibly win about 5-6 in a row at this point. The current system makes it too easy for a team that already has a high payroll and already has a ton of talent to find ways to fit in yet another huge contract onto their Books to make their team even more unstoppable then they already were.

But they have also managed their team better and actually signed, drafted, and offered there right people big money other teams did not. Their superior management also caused other teams to panic and make bad signings. Some teams, like Rockets and Celtics have been able to manage better than the comp. But the blame for this situation is more skewed to the teams who didn't manage or draft as well.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Just institute a hard cap. That's the answer.

I hate the salary structures of MLB and the NBA because big markets have a huge advantage over small markets. Create a system where teams CANT go over the cap to sign players.

 

[Phrazbit]

Just institute a hard cap. That's the answer.

I hate the salary structures of MLB and the NBA because big markets have a huge advantage over small markets. Create a system where teams CANT go over the cap to sign players.

If there are still max contracts then a hard cap will do nothing to stop stars from trying to form super teams.

Furthermore, the current system has done nothing to aid the big markets. The Knicks suck, the Bulls suck, the Lakers have often struggled to give money away.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Just institute a hard cap. That's the answer.

I hate the salary structures of MLB and the NBA because big markets have a huge advantage over small markets. Create a system where teams CANT go over the cap to sign players.

How? Doing away with Free Agency would solve the problem too but it's another solution that just can't be implemented. IMO the only way there will ever be a hard cap in basketball is if the league shuts down for a few years and even then it's doubtful. Players are not going to willingly allow the league to artificially limit their movement and salary potential. That's a door, once opened, that will likely never be closed. And the owners don't care as long as they're getting their billions from their TV partners. This league is flush, most of the suggestions to solve the super-team problem involve flushing away a lot of the TV money (lockout, strike).

 

[Phrazbit]

This league is flush, most of the suggestions to solve the super-team problem involve flushing away a lot of the TV money (lockout, strike).

Not getting rid of max contacts though!

The only reason they exist is to protect a team from being stupid... which they do anyway, just on smaller scales. Sure, there would be the occasional monumental blunder where a team gives 6 years 210 million to... Rudy Gay or something, but for overall the pay would be more fair across the board and super teams built via free agency would be nearly impossible.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Not getting rid of max contacts though!

The only reason they exist is to protect a team from being stupid... which they do anyway, just on smaller scales. Sure, there would be the occasional monumental blunder where a team gives 6 years 210 million to... Rudy Gay or something, but for overall the pay would be more fair across the board and super teams built via free agency would be nearly impossible.

There's some truth there but I think it's also simplistic. And IMO, changing that is just the beginning of handing the league back over to the mega markets. The cap and the luxury tax and max contracts and such are all a part of what they've put in place to keep the New York's from buying all the talent. That contract they signed to get Amare from us made a lot of sense for them but for a franchise on tighter margins, such as the Suns, that contract could have been financial suicide. If there is no control over the big checkbooks, the little guys will be in even more trouble.

I still say that the failure to smoothe the huge cap raise is a short term issue, it's not a problem that has to be solved. It will solve itself and if the league ever comes into another huge revenue influx, I suspect the players association will use better judgement next time. And sometime in the next two or three years I'd wager that GS will end up losing a couple of their cornerstones.