Minnesota Sports Forum

The luxury tax threshold next season is expected to be $122 million.

Can we fit under that threshold paying max money to our three core guys? Yes, but it's not simple and it will limit our flexibility to build around them. Consider this: The max annual salary for a 0-6 player will be $25.5 million. That means we should expect to tie up $76.5 million on those three. Gorgui will be getting from $15M to 17M over the next few seasons. That takes us to $92.5M. The minimum NBA salary is $1M.

lipoli390 wrote:The luxury tax threshold next season is expected to be $122 million.

Can we fit under that threshold paying max money to our three core guys? Yes, but it's not simple and it will limit our flexibility to build around them. Consider this: The max annual salary for a 0-6 player will be $25.5 million. That means we should expect to tie up $76.5 million on those three. Gorgui will be getting from $15M to 17M over the next few seasons. That takes us to $92.5M. The minimum NBA salary is $1M.

You're not supposed to have a big 3 and a team full of depth. The system is designed that way. Like I said, Dieng can be moved easily. $48 million is more than enough to fill around the big 3 and we don't even hit that point for 2 years after this one. We could sign a Rudy Gay for 3 years and trade him after 2 if needed. The point is you can't just shut everything down and wait for the big 3 to get those deals. You have to get guys now and then deal them later if needed. Too much can happen in 2 years that could change the whole equation that is just being assumed now.

khans2k5 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:The luxury tax threshold next season is expected to be $122 million.

Can we fit under that threshold paying max money to our three core guys? Yes, but it's not simple and it will limit our flexibility to build around them. Consider this: The max annual salary for a 0-6 player will be $25.5 million. That means we should expect to tie up $76.5 million on those three. Gorgui will be getting from $15M to 17M over the next few seasons. That takes us to $92.5M. The minimum NBA salary is $1M.

You're not supposed to have a big 3 and a team full of depth. The system is designed that way. Like I said, Dieng can be moved easily. $48 million is more than enough to fill around the big 3 and we don't even hit that point for 2 years after this one. We could sign a Rudy Gay for 3 years and trade him after 2 if needed. The point is you can't just shut everything down and wait for the big 3 to get those deals. You have to get guys now and then deal them later if needed. Too much can happen in 2 years that could change the whole equation that is just being assumed now.

Yep. Everything around the Big Three is supposed to be movable parts. Where there seems to be a divide is people trying to prepare for three/four years down the road and people that understand the potential obstacles that lay ahead, but realize it's advantageous to make power moves for the roster now before their rookie contracts end.

I don't think it's realistic to expect a championship contender build around 3 max players without having at least a few $10+ million per year players.

lipoli390 wrote:I don't think it's realistic to expect a championship contender build around 3 max players without having at least a few $10+ million per year players.

Yeah, I'm fairly confident the Big 3 are going to have extraordinary careers. We get on all of them for various shortcomings, but then we realize they are all averaging over 20 PPG at a very young age. I'm down on the club this year, but it's also fun to think about what they can do when all three of them reach their peak. The key for Theyden is going to be cap management and what they put around them as complementary pieces, and I would think defense is going to be key. I think this team can win some championships in 4-5 years with the Big 3 and the right role players, but adding a 4th high-priced star this summer just doesn't make sense. I'll frankly be stunned if any high-priced players are added without giving up one of our Big 3.

lipoli390 wrote:I don't think it's realistic to expect a championship contender build around 3 max players without having at least a few $10+ million per year players.

That's how teams are built. Either the big 3 take a pay cut and we can build well around them or they can take the max and have to carry the load with 1 or 2 main supporting pieces. There is no having our cake and eating it too if they don't take pay cuts and if the owners aren't willing to dip into the luxury tax. You get the big 3 and just shy of $50 million to stay under the tax. That's what we're working with.