Resources: http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/cleveland.htm http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ejtkramer65/05-06salaries.htm http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#16 It is my feeling that we really do have a predicament on our hands. Dan Gilbert has said that he does not want to be over the luxury tax, which will be $65.42 million during this season. For the 07-08 season, people estimate it at around $69 million. With our salaries totalling $52.9 million this season, we could sign Gooden to just under $13 million this season whilst still remaining under the cap. HOWEVER, we also have the MLE ($5.2 million) and the BAE ($1.8 million) and also Drew is not worth that. Assuming that we use both the exceptions, we have $59.9 million used, $5.5 million under the luxury tax limit. Drew, however, would not accept this. In addition, at the end of next season, when LeBron's contract kicks in, our salary will rise. If we call his salary $15 million (estimated), these would be our salaries: Player Name: Salary ($ million) LeBron James: 15 Larry Hughes: 12 Zydrunas Ilgauskas: 10.6 Eric Snow: 7.1 Donyell Marshall: 5.1 Damon Jones: 4.1 Ira Newble: 3.4 Shannon Brown (rookie scale): 0.87 Daniel Gibson (minimum): 0.66 Total: 58.83 These 9 players alone set our salary at $58.83 million, $11 million under the luxury tax limit. We would also have the following options: Player Name: Salary ($ million) Luke Jackson (Team option): 2.6 Aleksandar Pavlovic (Qualifying offer): 2.7 Martynas Andriuskevicius: 0.77 Stephen Graham: 0.77 Drew Gooden: ??> Anderson Varejao: ?? If, for example, take Jackson's option, sign Pavlovic and Martynas (young, improving C), we would have 12 players. I am also assuming that no other team offers Pavs a bigger salary and we don't sign Graham. Anyway, this would put our salary at $64.9 million, with $4.1 million spare under the luxury tax. Obviously, this is not enough for either Gooden or Varejao. If, however, we don't sign either Jackson or Pavlovic, we will have $6.8 million which may be enough to sign either Gooden or Varejao, especially if we are challenging for a ring. Signing Drew to a multi-year deal would, in my opinion, be a big mistake because then we are ruling out the option of signing Varejao. The major issue of the salaries is Ilgauskas' $10.6 million salary. However, he has a 15% trade kicker clause in his contract. Therefore, if he is traded, the team that receive him will have to pay an extra 15% onto his salary ($12.19 million). This almost eliminates the opportunity of trading him because no other team would want to take on such a large contract for Z. Another option could be to trade Larry Hughes but, again, a $12 million salary does not appeal to people, especially considering his injury problems. If he stays healthy next season, it could be an option, but we would need to trade for an expiring contract. So, my feelings are as follows: <ul> [*]Sign Drew Gooden to a 1 year deal [*]Evaluate Drew and Andy this season, and sign the better one [*]If the opportunity arises, trade away Larry Hughes for a good player and an expiring contract. [*]For now, try to at least sign one Forward so if we don't get Gooden, at least we have another guy. [*]Again, if, bizarrely, an opportunity arises, trade away Ilgauskas for a decent Centre and an expiring contract. However, don't go for high risk high reward players, because we need a strong nucleus to keep LeBron here. [*]Keep our options open as long as possible; don't make trades until late on and evaluate Drew and Andy for as long as possible. [*]GO CAVS [/list] Thoughts?
