I keep seeing people saying the Blazers have the cap space to go after these two. I really don't see how it's possible, and really, any offer made to either one only helps their current teams retain them longer by a year. There's a clause in the CBA that will gain a lot of attention soon: http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q44 What this means is that the Bulls and Spurs are certain to extend maximum qualifying offers to Butler and Leonard. The player has 3 options: sign the regular QO and become a UFA next summer, sign the max QO and stick with the current team for 5 years, or sign an offer sheet with another team. Any team that makes an offer to either has to make at least a 3 year contract offer with no options for the first 3 years. The Spurs or Bulls can match that offer and keep the player for at least 3 years. There is no poison pill that would deter the teams from exercising their right of refusal. In fact, if either player actually signs an offer from another team, they are doing the Bulls or Spurs a huge favor. Why? Because without the maximum qualifying offer in place, a team could offer a 3 year contract with a player option for the 3rd season; you're giving the current team a chance to match something way less than the max offer and allow them to keep the player for more than the 1 year (with option). Plus, the Spurs or Bulls get to keep their guy on a cheaper deal than a MAX deal starting next summer. Again, doing them a favor with zero chance of not exercising their right of refusal. The only way you get one of these guys is via trade. Or next year if they go the regular QO route. I think Butler may go the regular QO route. Maybe Leonard does, too. By betting on themselves and signing a max contract under next year's cap, they actually make more money ($7M more): http://www.blogabull.com/2015/3/20/8263541/jimmy-butlers-next-contract-and-the-future-nba-salary-cap
