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If George makes an All-NBA team this season, his salary will settle at 27 percent of the cap level instead of the full 30 percent under the Derrick Rose rule. George's starting salary would then be at $15.8 million, approximately $1.75 million less than George could have earned had he fought for the full 30 percent.

The Pacers also reluctantly gave George an opt-out after Year 4.

If George makes an All-NBA team this season, triggering the raise, his salary will settle at 27 percent of the cap level, instead of the full 30 percent. That would set George's starting salary at about $15.8 million, given the league's projected cap for next season. That's about $1.75 million less than George could have earned had he fought for the full 30 percent. If the Pacers keep Scola at full cost, George's All-NBA salary would leave them with about $67.9 million in committed salary for next season — and about $7 million or so of space beneath the projected tax line for Stephenson's deal. That still won't be enough to keep Stephenson without jumping the tax, but it's close enough that the Pacers could get there without a single cost-cutting move.

The Pacers also gave George an opt-out after Year 4 of the new deal, which Mark Deeks of ShamSports.com has reflected in his salary database. Indiana was reluctant to do the opt out, but ultimately yielded on the issue, per sources close the talks. They'll have the advantage of George's Bird rights as long as he's on the team, regardless of the opt-out clause. The main point of the "designated player" provision is to give teams the chance to lock up a franchise player they drafted for a year longer than usual. George's deal subverts that principle, and allows him to hit the open market earlier than expected.

pacers70 wrote:"That still won't be enough to keep Stephenson without jumping the tax, but it's close enough that the Pacers could get there without a single cost-cutting move."

I respectfully disagree with that statement. I think Stephenson will leap at a 4 year contract paying 7M, 9M, 11M and 13M. A 4 year $40 million deal playing on a team he likes, for a team President he likes and a championship caliber team.

He would then be 27 years old and making $13 million on his final year. Just entering his prime. That's when the real question would arise whether or not he will stay in Indiana...in my opinion.

I think next year we will see the exact same team we have this year except Granger, Butler and maybe Copeland will be gone and replaced by our 2nd round draft pick and/or low cost free agents.

Scoot McGroot wrote:and that 1st year is where we have the biggest hindrance.

Wizop wrote:and you think you can replace them at lower cost and still have an effective second unit?