Report: Pat Riley Hung Up On Tom Thibodeau When Wolves Asked For More Assets

[KGdaBom]

I am 100% aware of the situation. If no other offers come in, Riley is happy to sit back and wait until his offer is more attractive than nothing at all when he walks or he can opt to up the bid if he feels he wants to. If he walks, Riley can simply opt to try and sign him and give up no assets at all.

You know, to sign a player, cap space is an actual necessity.

Are you aware of that situation?

I obviously meant they wouldn't have to give up any assets of worth, they would have to clear some roster spots. I did not think I had to state this about teams in the offseason, teams revamp/retool, this is commonplace. If Riley can find a way to put a prime Lebron, Wade and Bosh in the same roster, I am sure he can find a way to fit Butler in. IF Butler even wanted to go there if he were a free agent of course.

They would either have to give up Richardson or Bam or many draft picks which they don't have. They couldn't clear the cap space without giving up assets of worth.

[Hoopzilla]

You know, to sign a player, cap space is an actual necessity.

Are you aware of that situation?

I obviously meant they wouldn't have to give up any assets of worth, they would have to clear some roster spots. I did not think I had to state this about teams in the offseason, teams revamp/retool, this is commonplace. If Riley can find a way to put a prime Lebron, Wade and Bosh in the same roster, I am sure he can find a way to fit Butler in. IF Butler even wanted to go there if he were a free agent of course.

They would either have to give up Richardson or Bam or many draft picks which they don't have. They couldn't clear the cap space without giving up assets of worth.

They have more options than you think. Whiteside will be an expiring contract next season. I would normally say that is an untradeable contract, but Melo got traded and bought out for that same amount, $27 million. Whiteside can still produce and have worth to a team, so he is more tradeable than Melo was and Riley has shown previously that he is capable of pulling off the unimaginable. You could also consider James Johnson an expiring since his contract is only a team option for the following season. Moving those two contracts alone could free up $42 million. Notice I did not put in Tyler Johnson's expiring, because that really seems like a contract they will have to ride out. I am not saying it would be easy, but it is definitely something that can be done. They have other options, but those are the two most obvious to free up some serious cap space. Don't pretend like the only choice they would have is to give away all their young talent...

Sure, Winslow just signed for $13 million season, but it's not the end of the world. I am sure Riley has a plan.

[KGdaBom]

I obviously meant they wouldn't have to give up any assets of worth, they would have to clear some roster spots. I did not think I had to state this about teams in the offseason, teams revamp/retool, this is commonplace. If Riley can find a way to put a prime Lebron, Wade and Bosh in the same roster, I am sure he can find a way to fit Butler in. IF Butler even wanted to go there if he were a free agent of course.

They would either have to give up Richardson or Bam or many draft picks which they don't have. They couldn't clear the cap space without giving up assets of worth.

They have more options than you think. Whiteside will be an expiring contract next season. I would normally say that is an untradeable contract, but Melo got traded and bought out for that same amount, $27 million. Whiteside can still produce and have worth to a team, so he is more tradeable than Melo was and Riley has shown previously that he is capable of pulling off the unimaginable. You could also consider James Johnson an expiring since his contract is only a team option for the following season. Moving those two contracts alone could free up $42 million. Notice I did not put in Tyler Johnson's expiring, because that really seems like a contract they will have to ride out. I am not saying it would be easy, but it is definitely something that can be done. They have other options, but those are the two most obvious to free up some serious cap space. Don't pretend like the only choice they would have is to give away all their young talent...

Sure, Winslow just signed for $13 million season, but it's not the end of the world. I am sure Riley has a plan.

If he had a plan to try to sign Butler FA next year he blew it with the Winslow extension. He won't be able to do it without giving up assets. This is just wishful thinking. If Whiteside plays well enough to make some team want to take him next year than he has to be considered an asset. And who can take Whiteside without giving at least 15 million or more back? You can't act like they are sending James Johnson and Whiteside out without taking a lot of matching contracts back. The Heat have to give up assets to sign Butler FA. Probably work out a lot better for them to just trade for him now using Olynyk instead of Waiters IF the Wolves would agree to that. Also if the Heat have any faith in themselves make the pick unprotected. Offering it protected is almost like not offering it at all. If it doesn't convey this year they can't send a FRP out until 2023.