Fast forward - it is June 2019, basically after 2 NBA seasons or finals from now.
Hayward - $32,700,690
Horford - $30,123,015 PO
Irving - $21,329,750 PO
Jaylen Brown - possible Max Extension
Jayson Tatum - possible Max Extension in a year from then
https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/BOS.htmlHayward still has one guaranteed max year, so not much that we can do here. I think that trading him is a long shot. Even in the AD trade. Afterall, he could be Brads go-to guy to draw late-game plays by then
Horford and Irving can opt out, if they do, they could both seek Max extension. Kyrie is certainly more inclined to do so, having earned less basketball money till that point and being in his prime at age of 27. Horford could probably be softened (to a greater extent that KI) depending on how the team does by then. If we win a championship, my guess is he lowers his demands. Kyrie could be in the same boat, but at the lesser chance and/or fewer dollars saved than Al. Maybe he pulls a Durant on us, wins a chip, demands less.
https://www.si.com/nba/2017/08/10/kevin-durant-speaks-about-pay-cutIf LeBron takes less this summer (fairly possible, since he can join/form a stronger team then), it could establish this trend even further in the player's minds.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum and their deals are different beasts. Wing guys this good (even if they make just a little progress from now and don't get seriously injured) get Max dollars by default (see Porter, Barnes). That is the one thing I always(!) loved with the Fultz-Tatum trade. Since it is basically a guarantee that we are getting at least 1 and possibly 2 Max level players. That is a great scenario even with the below median outcome. One young Max player, (below or average median outcome) level wing can be flipped for assets; good vets or picks at just about any time. If they are generational or top 20 type players than we just sign them and keep them.
So, season 2019-20 is about to begin, we have 4 max guys, presuming Jaylen is on board longterm and Tatum getting closer to his next deal, with all sides (management, coaches, Tatum, fans) hoping he is to become the 5th max guy.
The points that are logically asserting themselves and that I am trying to make are:
- We are clearly going to be very good within next 2 years and further down the road.
- We won't be able to pay all these guys their market price 150/160 $mil for just 5 roster spots.
- Winning a championship within these 2 years (which I think will happen) would help us tremendously with the roster construction, either by getting pay cuts for our top-end guys or finish out the roster with solid vets (old gals) that are hopefull someone/Brad will finally put a ring on their finger
- We will have to sign our high pick that year too (ATM the 2019 Kings top 1 protected pick looks probable)
- Fans, don't tattoo players names on your backs (some made IT's, and now it is hard to remove them). There will certainly be some address changing for the guy or guys that we especially like.
- Smart won't be getting a big paycheck from us long term, If he does he will be moved till the end of that deal. We are missing some big salaries on our books to open up new trade possibilities. If you ask me, I'd rather have a young max level wing than Smart. Even if I have to trade that guy in at one point in the near future.
It is funny how even it the perfect world (our rebuild), even if you hit on picks and develop all of the guys as you should - you still can't sit pretty with your hands in your pockets. You still have to grind,
which leads me to my last point. Realizing that we can't have 5 max guys, market max worthy, on the roster, will force Danny to make another high stake trade and I can't wait for that next move of his.
Please share your thoughts.