Papi_swav wrote:I have a question, can we denounce Russell's cap hold in the middle of the off season? Let's say 2 max stars give us a verbal agreement, can we renounce Russell and tell him we will re-sign him but we have to sign 2 max guys first? Or is there a deadline for that? Taking out Russell's cap hold and Crabbe deal will free up like 39 million which will give us like 64M in cap space, that is more then enough to sign to max guys but they might have to take a little pay cut.
We can renounce a cap hold in the middle of the offseason, sure. If we did, we would have nothing but the veteran's minimum to offer D'Angelo, so he would leave.
There were many periods this season where I thought our best move would be to trade Russell before this offseason, to maximize our capspace. I no longer hold this opinion. D'Angelo has become the leader of the core, even though a healthy Caris
might be the better player. Waiving rights to Russell in order to sign, for example, Kyrie is a step backwards for the organization IMO. I would rather pay a 23yo D'Angelo $27mil/year, than pay a 27yo Irving $33mil per year.
The only two players who I think are worth waiving DAR are Kevin and Kawhi (I said AND, not OR). For the chance to pair those two FA's on our roster, yeah, I'd move Heaven and Earth. Short of that, I'd pick the continuity and youth of Russell over Kemba, Klay, Jimmy, Tobias or anyone else as a 2nd max player. If one of Durant or Leonard said, "I'll sign, BUT only if you waive D'Angelo so that we can sign (insert name here)", I would politely decline.
Some people really have a way with words. Other people... not... have... way.
-- Steve Martin