« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2017, 11:33:01 AM »
I don't see the benefit for Portland. Irving is basically a lateral move but they like Lillard and he's established there. What's the incentive for Portland?
I'm not actually sure of Portland's luxury tax situation anymore with the Crabbe trade, but just to save money.
Per ESPN:
Portland will see their current luxury tax bill drop from $48.3M to $4.4M with the Allen Crabbe trade to Brooklyn. The Trail Blazers now have $122.2M in salary and are $2.9M below the luxury tax. The Trail Blazers currently project to save $60M in salary and taxes for 2017-18.
How can a team below the luxury tax still have to pay $4.4m? Is it from stretching Nicholson?
Either way, swapping Irving for Lillard gets them a younger player and further reduces salary (which is always important for a team who might not even make the playoffs). Also shakes up a team who finished a disappointing .500.
Not saying Portland does it, but I can see some reason why they might.
I didn't realize the disparity in their contract was so big.
And it's kind of amazing that Kyrie is still that young.
Logged
1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008