Article: The New Salary Floor Rules and How the Spurs Get There

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/spurs-sala...a-free-agency/

Didn't want to confuse the normies by including it in the article but it's notable that NBA teams still haven't received a finalized version of the new CBA. I know that a few teams are asking that the salary floor rules be relaxed this season due to how long it's taking to finalize the CBA. But, ultimately, it's likely that the rules I detailed in the article will still be implemented -- even if the language isn't available until the last second.

[Mr. Body]

The new salary floor rule is a boon for players in general. Previously, teams could wait most of the season before trading to hit the floor, but by then the payouts on most of the acquired salaries had already been made. Now, every team is forced to take on enough contracts from the start of the season.

I fully believe the "no costly mistakes" and "see what we have" edicts. The team we have is what we have. There's an outside chance of taking on salary for assets, but it feels like that market/tactic has dried up. Big money teams seem more likely to trade off long-term contracts for expirings rather than sell off assets (they may no longer have) to get off bad contracts. The real problems they're facing are long term, not necessarily immediately.

As mentioned in other threads, I'm interested in picking up a vet or two on small expiring salaries, like Patty Mills or Nicolas Batum.

[Uriel]

I thought KBD was gone?

[Joseph Kony]

we want the latest intel before free agency begins article

[spurraider21]

Wright: Can we just stay below the floor and give the players end-of-season bonuses instead?

NBA: nah, new rule. no more of that, you have to reach the floor

Wright: ok. we'll just overpay Tre Jones, basically giving him the full bonus instead of spreading it like last year

[timvp]

I thought KBD was gone?

Probably depends. The Spurs might overpay him to stay just for salary floor purposes. But if there's a sizable trade or a big free agent signing, they'd let him walk, IMO.

[Extra Stout]

Rockets: throw $85 million at FVV to reach the salary floor
Spurs: hold my beer

[Degoat]

Expecting several “We like what we have,” talks all summer lol I just hope we sign at least one player that could help us win or contribute.

[BatManu20]

Lol at Spurs still having to pay Pee-Wee Primo $4.3M this season. Hilarious.

Anyways, Brooke Lopez or bust for me tbh. Think he’d be the perfect Vet to bring in to not only help Wemby and the gang on the court as a big body stretch-5, but also a great locker room guy who PATFO would love to have around for tutelage purposes. Doubt MIL let’s him walk, but Spurs should offer him as much as they can on a 2-yr deal tbh. Makes a lot of sense for us.

[Bruno]

Bottom line is Spurs can just sign a player like Keita Bates-Diop or Gorgui Dieng at the end of the summer to a $10M, $15M... 1 year contract to get above the salary floor.

Spurs aren't and never will be trapped by the salary floor. They don't have to do a trade they don't like to get above it or to sign a player to an expensive multi years contract.

[Russ]

Nice article timvp; explains things thoroughly without getting too technical.

I like option 5, try to get future assets for cap trash. Creates minimum disruption to the current young roster and keeps adding for the future. The Spurs should put a sign on their locker room: "No Country for Old Men." (Except Pop.)

One question -- why haven't the Spurs signed Wemby yet? The salary is slotted, what remains? If I'm his agent, I wouldn't allow him to touch the floor in Vegas unless he's signed.

[Mr. Body]

Nice article timvp; explains things thoroughly without getting too technical.

I like option 5, try to get future assets for cap trash. Creates minimum disruption to the current young roster and keeps adding for the future. The Spurs should put a sign on their locker room: "No Country for Old Men." (Except Pop.)

One question -- why haven't the Spurs signed Wemby yet? The salary is slotted, what remains? If I'm his agent, I wouldn't allow him to touch the floor in Vegas unless he's signed.

I don't think the new season has technically started yet.

[Knoxxx]

What kind of $ is Lopez likely to command? I am not entirely convinced anyone wants him badly enough to pay more than we can. He does seem like the type of big body we'd like to use to play the enforcer/Wemby protector role. Has he showed well in any on court fights or scuffles?

[spurs10]

Door #3- if they throw $15-20m at a player they want is that referring to a FA?

[spurs10]

Door #3- if they throw $15-20m at a player they want is that referring to a FA?

Or do you mean one of our existing players?

[timvp]

Door #3- if they throw $15-20m at a player they want is that referring to a FA?

Yeah a non Spurs FA.

[timvp]

One question -- why haven't the Spurs signed Wemby yet? The salary is slotted, what remains? If I'm his agent, I wouldn't allow him to touch the floor in Vegas unless he's signed.

There used to be a reason to wait to sign first round picks but that's no longer the case. Wemby will sign ASAP.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Go get Brook Lopez.

[Spursfanfromafar]

I have a question. The Spurs were tanking last season. This season, they would be building back better with Wemby in. Outright tanking required the Spurs to maintain only a floor level salary. Why should they repeat that ploy this year? They can still make a below tax but above the floor salary team that will be compe ive right?

[John B]

Any scenario they get Poeltl back?

[Extra Stout]

I have a question. The Spurs were tanking last season. This season, they would be building back better with Wemby in. Outright tanking required the Spurs to maintain only a floor level salary. Why should they repeat that ploy this year? They can still make a below tax but above the floor salary team that will be compe ive right?

They like what they have. They want to see what they have and how it fits together. They want to be patient and avoid big, costly mistakes.

They’ve also said they expect to “win a lot more games.” Except that “a lot” might mean “eight.”

Thus the challenge of getting to $122.4 million. Except it’s not really a challenge. They can just throw money at one or two of their marginal free agents.

[T Park]

Bottom line is Spurs can just sign a player like Keita Bates-Diop or Gorgui Dieng at the end of the summer to a $10M, $15M... 1 year contract to get above the salary floor.

Spurs aren't and never will be trapped by the salary floor. They don't have to do a trade they don't like to get above it or to sign a player to an expensive multi years contract.

if you want to kill all the goodwill built up by the Wembenyama draft, that would be a way to do it.

[Knoxxx]

https://youtu.be/bktfyIpn1nw

Lopez protecting Giannis v. a former Spur

[exstatic]

The new salary floor rule is a boon for players in general. Previously, teams could wait most of the season before trading to hit the floor, but by then the payouts on most of the acquired salaries had already been made. Now, every team is forced to take on enough contracts from the start of the season.

I fully believe the "no costly mistakes" and "see what we have" edicts. The team we have is what we have. There's an outside chance of taking on salary for assets, but it feels like that market/tactic has dried up. Big money teams seem more likely to trade off long-term contracts for expirings rather than sell off assets (they may no longer have) to get off bad contracts. The real problems they're facing are long term, not necessarily immediately.

As mentioned in other threads, I'm interested in picking up a vet or two on small expiring salaries, like Patty Mills or Nicolas Batum.

That costs assets, too. Both of our trades at the deadline were expirings (JRich and Poodle) for summer 2024 expirings (Graham and Birch) and we got assets on both deals, one very lightly protected first and a total of 7 SRPs.

[BatManu20]