I don't know how "second tier" he would be, but I would have interest in Thaddeus Young at the 3. Kyle O'Quinn would be a decent rotation forward.
$2.8M Cap Exception Range CJ Watson Mike Dunleavey Jameer Nelson Gerald Green (Maybe) $5.4M Full MLE range: Brandon Wright Gerald Green $6M-10M Range Thaddeus Young Tyson Chandler Luol Deng Danny Green
I think he could be had for $10M. I just posted this idea in another thread bit I think Portland needs to get Ariza. Houston has Brewer, K Pap, and will likely use the MLE on Josh Smith. If Houston gives Ariza in a package to Denver for Lawson I hope we jump in and send Vonleh (combined with Nic's trade exception) with a future 1st for him. We'd still have $40M in cap room with our starting SF situation taken care of.
Since when is a one year deal restricted? He was signed on a non-guaranteed but restricted deal? I've never heard of such a thing. I always assumed he was unrestricted. I have my doubts that Houston lets him go. I think they let Josh Smith/Corey Brewer go before this guy. I could be wrong. I'd start him at 5 or 6 mil.
Isn't this the whole Jeremy Lin-type of thing from a couple years ago? JJ Hickson had something similar? They are restricted, you can match at your discretion, but you still have to have the cap room to match.