Max deals and the Bird Exception

[LarryMac]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Qualifying Veteran Free Agent Exception only allows a team to go over the salary cap, not to go over the max contract, correct?

Specifically, it's widely reported that Cleveland could offer LeBron James more than any other team and that, should he leave, he'd be leaving money on the table. Am I missing something? Assuming the Bulls or Clippers or whomever had the space for a max deal under the cap, isn't a max deal a max deal, based on his service time?

Thanks.

[mysticbb]

Cleveland can offer more money, because they can actually give out a 6yr deal while other teams are only able to sign James to a 5yr deal (assuming no sign and trade is involved here). Cleveland is also able to give him a 10.5% of the 1st year salary as a yearly raise, while other teams can only give a 8% raise. Overall the difference would be around $6m in 6 years, assuming that the other team just give James an extension for the 6th year later.

[LarryMac]

Ah, I didn't know about the difference in raises. I knew Cleveland could give him the extra year, but I sort of assume that he'd be doing another three year deal so he can get another bite of the apple in three years.

[Three34]

If LeBron doesn't take the full six years, then the difference is negligible.