M-C-G wrote:Ron Swanson wrote:Kuzma's shooting wouldn't even be that big of an issue if he didn't have these Ben Simmons-esque moments where his brain just completely short-circuits and he disappears entirely from games. I just don't buy that he's "fixable" at this stage of his career. His main value to another team would be his descending salary number, which is why it's just best to rip the band aid off now. Wait a year and then what? He's just a normal expiring contract and the league has shown now that nobody cares about those anymore.
Which teams need the salary reduction at this point? I know we can take more salary on, but not sure which teams are aggressively looking for relief
If Sportrac is up to date, 10 of 30 NBA teams are in the tax already. Half of those ten (LAL, Raps, Rockets, Magic, Heat) could duck the tax by trading a more expensive player for Kuz.
Here are three other teams very close to the tax that could get breathing room by trading more expensive salary to the Bucks for Kuz (Kangz, OKC, LAC).
And obviously the five highest payroll teams would save significant money by trading a more expensive player for Kuz (Cavs, Suns, Celtics, Mavs, Knicks).
The Warriors will also likely be in the tax unless they simply let Kuminga and GP2 walk for nothing. Otherwise, they are a potential partner in a multiteam because they have players they don’t want to pay.
So that’s 14 teams right there with motivation.