RealGM

I know the off season is a long way off, and you guys have probably discussed this earlier in the season, but I was hoping to clarify it. I had some conflicting answers in the resources I checked. I appreciate it.

Way more than he deserves or what I want to pay him.

http://nbaroundtable.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/maximum-contracts/

I disagree with their numbers just a bit. Just the starting value. I think starting salary should be just over 16M (last year the max was 16.224).

So the most with his Bird rights would be 6 yrs/122M (Hawks or Sign and Trade)
The most he can be offered by another team outright would be 5 yrs/93.4M (the Hawks could offer 5yr/97M is they wanted).

I doubt anyone wants to go 6 years based on his age, mileage, and position.

The 16.1M in year isn't the problem it is the 5th year at over 21M that is rough.

* Atlanta would be able to offer a lower starting salary (say $15 million) or to limit the annual increases (cap of $18 million per season) + offer a sixth season and still out-bid another prospective team who is offering Joe a non-Bird maximum contract. That will likely be their best option when fending off opposing bidders.

I like the "limit the annual increases" idea. A five-year deal that pays the max first-year salary ($16.34M in this projection) in each of the five seasons (flat contract) would be around $82M. So, you're working in a range between around $82M and $95M. Factor in some incentives and minor raises (say, 3%) and you should be able to offer something competitive to what other teams offer.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the responses. I hope we don't have to over pay him by much. What scares me is teams like Chicago who might go all in after Lebron/Wade and then end up desperately pursuing a Plan B if they fail in signing a big star.