Salary cap set

[evildallas]

The new cap is 57.7M with the luxury tax at 69.92M.

The MLE is a first season value of $5.854M

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13217

Now I'd love someone to breakdown how this effects our ability to finish out the roster.

[tbhawksfan]

I'm going to try to do a break-down. Here are the salaries of expected or signed players:

Smoove: 10.8, JJ: 15, Horf: 4.4, Mo: 2.5, Craw: 9.7, Bibby: 6, Andersen: 3, Teague: 1.1

That's eight players at a payroll of about $52M. We still need a back up C and maybe more depth at PG and SF.

Got to get something in a trade for Chils, include Morris (filler, I hope).

If, we get rid of Chils cap hold in a S&T for a cheaper contract; a $3-$5M expiring that can play some decent minutes would be good), we would still be almost $15M under the lux tax and only need two or three league min type players. Even if we keep Chil, Morris and their cap holds, we have $5M in cap space and the MLE and bi-annuel.

Seems like we have lots of room to work; especially if we can move Chils hold. It doesn't seem far-fetched to think that we'll go to work this season with



Horf / Andersen

Smoove / Dice (Gooden)

MW / Mo

JJ / Craw

Bibby / Teague

with maybe another cheap FA vet and a couple of min contracts.

[evildallas]

Andersen is expected? I still see him as a long shot based on prior summers, but we'll see. 7.355 for Marvin and 4.5 for Zaza would put us at 61M for 9 players.

If Mario, Solomon, and Randolph are still around at 1M per (roughly based on QO and existing deals). We'd have room to add almost a full MLE player as a big although I'm sure they don't want to cut it that close. It is encouraging that we can add another quality rotation player to the mix without hitting the luxury tax threshold. The Bibby signing was perfect. If that big signs at only 3M like you suggested with Andersen it might leave enough wiggle room to go long term with Marvin if they are so inclined, but I'm not sure that is the plan.

Thanks for throwing up a breakdown.

[killbuckner]

I think the bigger issue is the luxury tax next season. The luxury tax next season is projected to be just 65 million.

Bibby 6,000,000
Smith 11,600,000
Crawford 10,080,000
Horford 5,444,857
Evans 2,500,000 (player option)
Teague 1,230,700
Marvin 7,735,000 (long term deal starting at 7 million)
Zaza 4,420,000 (3 year contract starting at 4)

Joe 16,549,313 (just his normal 10.5% raise)
65,559,870

That right there already puts the hawks over the luxury tax. Thats why I don't think under any circumstances the hawks payroll will exceed 65 million this year. This is why I hate the Crawford trade so much- if the hawks were willing to take on 2011 salary they should have been compensated a ton more.

[td00]

Is it me or is JJ not going to be able to expect to get a raise from his old contract? That and the fact that Marvin will probably command more? Him being a #2, he has to think that he is worth Smith numbers, even if we aren't able to accomodate him.

Perhaps Smith will need to be moved next offseason to clear up room for our needs. His numbers are just as tough to fit in as Crawford.
I think Zaza can command more as well once the market gets some of the bigger names signed.

[killbuckner]

I am personally of the belief that Joe Johnson is going to get maxed out by someone no matter what next offseason. After Lebron, Wade, Bosh, and Amare I'd think Joe is next on the list of desirable free agents. With so many teams clearing caproom I just think its inevitable that someone gives him the max.

[tbhawksfan]

If Craw is the big problem, he will become a very nice expiring next summer. The Hawks could keep all of these guys, sign Andersen and league min contracts to fill the roster and only barely exceed the tax.

This team is getting closer and closer to winning big. Just need to keep improving while keeping a decent salary situation.

If going over the lux cap buys you a championship, you probably make $ on the deal.

[killbuckner]

this isn't a championship caliber roster- I would bet any amount of money that this team does not pay the luxury tax.

And expiring contracts are only valuable if you are willing to take longer salary back in return. That doesn't apply to this situation.

[tbhawksfan]

So, KB, what is your theory then? They brought in Craw to replace JJ when he walks next summer, then they use some of the cap space on a lesser FA?

It could happen. But, is that the best route for the move towards a true contender?

You don't think that team is a contender? What if you upgrade one position and add a couple of ring hunting type vets that sign with contenders at the deadline?

What if instead of targeting Dice, we try and move on Kaman, with Chil, Mo, Morris ?

Kaman / Horf

Smoove / Andersen

MW /

JJ / Craw

Bibby / Teague

Add another couple under-paid vets (joe Smith types) and fill out the roster with min contracts.

Why couldn't that team win a Championship?

[D21]

I updated the Hawks Salaries Information thread, with the lower and higher salaries Bibby should get.

I think the bigger issue is the luxury tax next season. The luxury tax next season is projected to be just 65 million.

That's the first point I thought too.
Meanwhile, there still a possility to sign one or two 1-year contract using our MLE.
We could end just under the tax this year, without adding salaries for next year.

Right now, we are between 49,593,327 and 50,867,374 with 8 players, so 19 to 20M$ under the tax.

This team is getting closer and closer to winning big. Just need to keep improving while keeping a decent salary situation.

The problem is that the better teams have improved too.
Just look at the teams better than ATL, they are all paying tax, and it's getting worst: the previous year, some team were paying tax without better record than ATL, but now, nobody wants to pay, except some teams like LAK, CLE, then BOS or ORL. And even SAS, who did always all they were able to do to avoid tax are set to pay it, and continue to sign guys.

No Tax, no Championship contender, it's just like that now.