Can the Cavs Keep the Band Together?
May 4, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers vice chairman Nate Forbes (left) and owner Dan Gilbert react in the fourth quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
So what does that mean for the Cavs and keeping the team together?
Assuming just the minimum numbers we list above, this is what the Cavs will be paying, all in millions:
- LeBron = $21.5
- Love = $16.7
- Irving = $14
- Thompson = $14
- Varejao = $10
- J.R. = $6.4
- Mozgov = $5
- Shumpert = $5
- Miller = $3
- Delly = $2
- Harris = $.9
11 Players = $98.5 million
The latest projections we have seen for next year’s Salary Cap is $67.1 with a tax line of 81.6. Both are expected to go up $20 million each of the two seasons following but, even before filling in the remaining 4 roster spots, Dan Gilbert would have $17 million in tax payments. The Repeater Tax penalties could become far more problematic in the years to come.
So what do the Cavs do? As long as LeBron and Love want to return, the Cavs will pay them. We assume they will bring back Thompson almost no matter what. They will at least want to keep one of Smith and Shumpert, likely preferably Shump based on his age and defensive abilities. If Smith opts out and Shump gets a big time offer, the Cavs could be in a tough position.
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Game 6 star Dellavedova joins Shumpert as an interesting case study in how teams will spend their cap money. Delly has size, plays great defense and has improved as a shooter. The Cavs value him but for how much? Could he, and maybe even Shumpert, be sacrificed to the financial realities that Gilbert faces with a competitive team?
Dan Gilbert was more than willing to spend money in LeBron’s 1st time with the team. That was before the punitive Luxury Tax system, one that Gilbert helped institute, was in place. His willingness to spend will be put to the test quickly.
What do you think happens next year with the team?