Summer 2014

[theokie]

Obviously this is looking pretty far ahead, but I think next offseason will be critical for OKC and whether or not Durant and Westbrook stay in OKC. Thabo is hitting free agency, and Reggie Jacksons contract extension deadline will be looming.

I think this is finally the summer we amnesty Perkins or trade his expiring to a team with cap space. Why?
OKC currently has 68 million on the books for next summer, that only accounts for 10 players. That means no Ryan Gomes (could be resigned at vet min), no Derek Fisher (already announced he's retiring), no Hasheem Thabeet (has a team option though, maybe picked up) and most importantly no Thabo Sefolosha.

I really doubt we want to let Thabo go. He'd probably want between 3-4 million a year, which means OKC would be looking at the luxury tax. Not to mention filling the roster out with vets at a minimum rate (Gomes or Thabeet) and rookies (2014 first, 2014 second, potentially Mavs First). I think this means Perkins and his 9 million which is owed is finally off the books. This leaves our roster at this.

Westbrook/Jackson/(rookie or vet min)
Thabo/Lamb/(rookie or vet min)
Durant/Jones/Roberson
Ibaka/Collison/(rookie or vet min)
Adams/Thabeet

Amnestying Perkins would allow OKC to re-sign Thabo and keep OKC under the tax. Additionally, OKC would have enough to use the full MLE ~ 5 million. Everyones going to be really excited about the prospect of adding an additional piece, especially because we will probably come up short in the posteseason. Unfortunately, i doubt OKC uses it... why? B/c of the effect of the tax on future years, especially on Reggie Jacksons next contract. He's going to be in a similar spot James Harden was last year. A lot of people say he can contend for 6th man of the year. We all want Reggie to play well, but hopefully not well enough to demand 10+ million a year... b/c if he wants that guess what? He gets traded and we start all over again.

[Podirk]

Still have Martin TPE and expectations of a higher tax line.


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[Balkman32]

We will not amnesty Perkins. Count it!

[Podirk]

We will not amnesty Perkins. Count it!

Yeah i can't see amnesty being used.


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[Thunderhead]

We will not amnesty Perkins. Count it!

I agree with you.

But only because Perk will have value as an expiring contract.

[theokie]

We will not amnesty Perkins. Count it!

Lets say we can't get a deal done to trade him then. Whats more likely, do you think we let Thabo walk, or pay the tax to keep him?

[mbruty]

After this season Perk's expiring contract will be favourable to some teams - like RJeff and the Utah Jazz. We will be able to move him on and not use the amnesty while getting something decent in return.

[Devilanche]

An expiring contract is useful only if you're taking back a longer term unneeded contract.

[Balkman32]

I can see the Thunder paying the Lux tax one year. But, they can not afford being in it for 2 years because then you get the repeaters tax. The new NBA CBA also expires in 2 years. Which means new rules.

[theokie]

I can see the Thunder paying the Lux tax one year. But, they can not afford being in it for 2 years because then you get the repeaters tax. The new NBA CBA also expires in 2 years. Which means new rules.

Nope, the new CBA lasts 10 years, but there is an opt out clause to re open discussions in 2017.

[spearsy23]

An expiring contract is useful only if you're taking back a longer term unneeded contract.

Or as salary filler and consolidating. So, for example, Perkins + draft picks for Aaron afflalo, allowing thabo to walk. We can use Perkins to cut salary twice in one trade

[ThunderUp1234]

We will not amnesty Perkins. Count it!

Lets say we can't get a deal done to trade him then. Whats more likely, do you think we let Thabo walk, or pay the tax to keep him?

Perk will have value as an expiring contract, he's gone after the year either by amnesty or trade.

Regards to Thabo, it depends how much he wants and how Lamb develops and if Presti is confident he can handle the full-time spot at the 2.

[Devilanche]

An expiring contract is useful only if you're taking back a longer term unneeded contract.

Or as salary filler and consolidating. So, for example, Perkins + draft picks for Aaron afflalo, allowing thabo to walk. We can use Perkins to cut salary twice in one trade

Yeap. Afflalo fit into the longer term unneeded contract (for Orlando)

[sonictecture]

An expiring contract is useful only if you're taking back a longer term unneeded contract.

Or as salary filler and consolidating. So, for example, Perkins + draft picks for Aaron afflalo, allowing thabo to walk. We can use Perkins to cut salary twice in one trade

Yeap. Afflalo fit into the longer term unneeded contract (for Orlando)

Afflalo wasn't simply an unneeded contract for Orlando. He is a well respected and productive professional. Orlando wanted him as part of the deal because he brought value to the trade.

Orlando will want something of value if they trade Afflalo now.

[spearsy23]

Or as salary filler and consolidating. So, for example, Perkins + draft picks for Aaron afflalo, allowing thabo to walk. We can use Perkins to cut salary twice in one trade

Yeap. Afflalo fit into the longer term unneeded contract (for Orlando)

Afflalo wasn't simply an unneeded contract for Orlando. He is a well respected and productive professional. Orlando wanted him as part of the deal because he brought value to the trade.

Orlando will want something of value if they trade Afflalo now.

We're talking about next summer, and the picks + maybe jones or Roberson would obviously be involved.

[sonictecture]

Taking on the extra year of Afflalo's contract probably prevents you from resigning Jackson. This team doesn't need Afflalo's offense and his defense isn't as good as Thabo's.

[spearsy23]

Taking on the extra year of Afflalo's contract probably prevents you from resigning Jackson. This team doesn't need Afflalo's offense and his defense isn't as good as Thabo's.

Obviously thabo would be a better option if we could give Perkins away for nothing, but choosing between Perkins + thabo at 13 million dollars vs Afflalo at 8ish is an easy choice in my book. Also, thabo disappeared offensively in the playoffs both of the last two seasons, if Afflalo can play defense like he did in Denver it would certainly be an overall upgrade. That said, Afflalo was really just an example and not someone who would be my first choice. I'd prefer a solid backup center at a cheaper price.

[wizkid27]

Taking on the extra year of Afflalo's contract probably prevents you from resigning Jackson. This team doesn't need Afflalo's offense and his defense isn't as good as Thabo's.

Obviously thabo would be a better option if we could give Perkins away for nothing, but choosing between Perkins + thabo at 13 million dollars vs Afflalo at 8ish is an easy choice in my book. Also, thabo disappeared offensively in the playoffs both of the last two seasons, if Afflalo can play defense like he did in Denver it would certainly be an overall upgrade. That said, Afflalo was really just an example and not someone who would be my first choice. I'd prefer a solid backup center at a cheaper price.

So... If you're saying Thabo would be better, cheaper, and is already on our team why wouldn't we find a different way to ditch Perk and keep Thabo for a lot less than 8 mil/season?

[Devilanche]

Afflalo wasn't simply an unneeded contract for Orlando. He is a well respected and productive professional. Orlando wanted him as part of the deal because he brought value to the trade.

Orlando will want something of value if they trade Afflalo now.

Unneeded as in it probably won't take too high of a price to move him. Orlando going with youth and he's one of the few remaining veterans and his contract is the longest. Would they hold on to him if they can't get a first+ expiring? Maybe.

[spearsy23]

Taking on the extra year of Afflalo's contract probably prevents you from resigning Jackson. This team doesn't need Afflalo's offense and his defense isn't as good as Thabo's.

Obviously thabo would be a better option if we could give Perkins away for nothing, but choosing between Perkins + thabo at 13 million dollars vs Afflalo at 8ish is an easy choice in my book. Also, thabo disappeared offensively in the playoffs both of the last two seasons, if Afflalo can play defense like he did in Denver it would certainly be an overall upgrade. That said, Afflalo was really just an example and not someone who would be my first choice. I'd prefer a solid backup center at a cheaper price.

So... If you're saying Thabo would be better, cheaper, and is already on our team why wouldn't we find a different way to ditch Perk and keep Thabo for a lot less than 8 mil/season?

That's basically what I said I'd prefer to do
There's no way someone is taking on 10mil and not sending any cash back though.