Will Amare Get The Max?

[Irish]

Most people think Amare will get a max contract offer from someone, so the debate is about whether the Suns should match or walk away. At this point I'm not sure what "the max" means. Some people think the $140 million over 5 years is the Max, but would rather say "max" than $140 million.

My guess is that $140 million will look like:

$ 23,400,000
$ 25,740,000
$ 28,080,000
$ 30,420,000
$ 32,760,000
$ 140,400,000

How many teams can theoretically offer this? In theory, their ability to offer "the max" is defined by their total contracts subtracted from the salary cap. In practical terms, there are cap holds and other stuff that adds to the existing salary level. I'm not sure whet the salary cap will be, but I'm going to guess it will be $52 million.

To be able to offer Amare this amount of money will require a salary structure of less than $52-23=$29 million.

Here are some of the big cap teams (from Hoopshype):

TEAMS ABLE OFFER $140
Miami $7.8
New Jersy $17.5
New York $17.8
Washington $17.3

TEAMS WHO CANNOT DO $140 (can make smaller offers)
Chicago - $31,8
LA Clippers $33.5
Minnesota $34.1
OK City $40.2
Sacramento $35.6

Miami has lots of cap space IF they do not re-sign Wade, Haslem, Jones, Wright, O'Neal and Q Richardson.

Some Free Agents

Joe Johnson
LeBron James
Dwayne Wade
Chris Bosh
Carlos Boozer
Amare Stoudemire

Unless I'm missing something, only four teams have the cap space to pay Amare the max. The biggest threat is the Miami Heat, but there is a real chance they will go after Boozer and Bosh ahead of Amare since he has the knee question.

The Knicks, Nets, and Wizzards are all possibilities, but are really awful teams.

 

[PDXChris]

Not sure were they are pulling their numbers from, but the Bulls can offer a max deal. With that being said, I think he does get a max contract since there are few teams who will have it and not get the free agent they want, like the Knicks and will have to do something.

 

[elindholm]

George, no one can offer Stoudemire a starting salary of $23 million. He's limited to a first-year amount that is some percentage raise over the salary he earned this year. I can't remember the exact increase, but it's in the 10% range.

The $140 million figure is the maximum he could get in a contract with the Suns, only, because they can give him an extra year (six instead of five) and bigger raises (10.5% annually instead of 8%, if I remember correctly, in either case not compounding). That's where the sign-and-trade speculation comes from. If there is a bidding war for Stoudemire (which I consider unlikely), the team that can work out a S&T with the Suns will be able to offer the player much more money.

Also, it has been announced that the cap will be $56.1 million, not $52M as you "guess."

Spend some time reading cbafaq.com. It takes a while, but it's worth it.

 

[devilalum]

I'm anxious to see if Amare is all about winning or all about money. He has said that he cares more about winning, if that is true you'd think he might take a little less to play for a real contender. My guess is that he'll go for the biggest money, IMO that is why he has never ruled out the Suns.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm anxious to see if Amare is all about winning or all about money. He has said that he cares more about winning, if that is true you'd think he might take a little less to play for a real contender. My guess is that he'll go for the biggest money, IMO that is why he has never ruled out the Suns.

Amare would have to do a sign and trade with the Suns to get the most money.

 

[Yuma]

I think the Suns will sign and trade him for the max, otherwise Sarver will let him walk, or do some F'd up thing like he did with Joe Johnson.

 

[Irish]

I apologize for not immediately have all the data. The $56 cap surprises me since the economy has been down. I may have done a crapy job, but at least I try to figure out what is going on rather than just repeat cliches.

As I said before, I'm not convinced sign and trade does the Suns much good. Yes, I can fantasize about who we might get, but it is likely the deal would be heavy on bad contracts.

Obviously, if Amare is willing to go to a crap team, it is likely he's gone. Even then, it is going to complicated.

1. HEALTH - $140 mllion is a lot for a guy who may break down in two or three years.

2. NEW CBA - It seems likely the collective bargaining agreement will change the landscape.

3. IS THIS THE REAL AMARE? - The history of the NBA suggests that guys in their contract years are especially motivated. Do you pay $149 million for a guy who doen't play great defense.

4. HOW MUCH IS AMARE A CREATURE OF THE SUNS SYSTEM? In Phoenix, Amare plays with a great pick and roll point guard and several great three point shooters who spread the floor. Amare is featured with the Suns, but might not be on other teams.