How much would a modern salary cap have affected The Three J's potential dynasty?

[SelakStreet]

There's no doubt the Dallas Mavericks would've been able to keep Jim Jackson, Jamal Mashburn and Jason Kidd, but how much would they be paid by the standards of the modern era salary cap?

And within the context of the mid-1990s NBA, how cheap or expensive would the other pieces like Derek Harper, Lucious Harris, Tony Dumas, George McCloud, Popeye Jones, Roy Tarpley, Chris Gatling, Samaki Walker, Lorenzo Williams, Oliver Miller etc. be, and how much salary could they command?

[penbeast0]

Prime Derek Harper is a major step up from all the other players on your list and second only to Jason Kidd if you include the 3 "core" guys. I'm assuming you are only looking at end of career Derek Harper to back up Kidd and Jackson.

Dumas and Tarpley will be overpaid due to their talent showing itself early; once their drug issues kicked in, neither will be a valuable player any more because you couldn't count on them. Oliver Miller was another disappointment, though for him it was staying in shape rather than substance abuse. With the three J's being the offensive primaries, you probably let someone else take the chances on them if you know about their issues in advance.

The best guys here: McCloud gives you a solid 3 and D guy; if you play Mashburn at the 4, you could play more modern ball. Gatling was a terrific offensive 4 who never really got the minutes his numbers said he would due to his lesser defense; his role became the offensive big off the bench and he was very solid at that. You would need someone to play center, probably Samaki Walker backed up by Gatling, Miller, or Williams, or even Popeye. They are all going to be a weak spot which is why Tarpley got so many second chances (where Dumas got less despite his talent). They all had a good season or two which could lead to leaving for a big salary; other seasons where they accepted role player status and would have been paid accordingly. Mix and match.

Still be surprised if they ever seriously contended for a ring. Mashburn was a big numbers for bad teams kind of guy, Jackson was very inconsistent, and Kidd can't be his best without good off ball shooters around him. The immaturity issues that ended up breaking them up would also have to be overcome.

[Owly]

Prime Derek Harper is a major step up from all the other players on your list and second only to Jason Kidd if you include the 3 "core" guys. I'm assuming you are only looking at end of career Derek Harper to back up Kidd and Jackson.

Dumas and Tarpley will be overpaid due to their talent showing itself early; once their drug issues kicked in, neither will be a valuable player any more because you couldn't count on them. Oliver Miller was another disappointment, though for him it was staying in shape rather than substance abuse.

The best guys here: McCloud gives you a solid 3 and D guy; if you play Mashburn at the 4, you could play more modern ball. Gatling was a terrific offensive 4 who never really got the minutes his numbers said he would due to his lesser defense; his role became the offensive big off the bench and he was very solid at that. You would need someone to play center, probably Samaki Walker backed up by Gatling, Miller, or Williams, or even Popeye. They are all going to be a weak spot which is why Tarpley got so many second chances (where Dumas got less despite his talent).

Wrong Dumas. This is Tony, not Richard. Richard flashed more talent (in Phoenix, especially in the finals, though playoffs overall less good) but yes, had the drug issues and never showed that level again. Tony was much more at the fringe of the NBA though he got some minutes (on a bad team) and scored in that one year.

Not sure McCloud gives you much D.

[penbeast0]

Thanks for the Dumas correction.

From what I remember, McCloud seemed to have good tools for defense when he came up though you are right that the effort wasn't always there. I looked up his numbers and he had a lot of injury issues that may have affected both his value and his effort as well. If he came up for a contract at the end of 96 he might be too expensive, otherwise he should be affordable. And 3 point specialists with low fg% didn't tend to get the big paychecks they do today.