(12-07-2022, 11:08 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: Protects cheap owners?
It's an archaic rule that doesn't factor in other teams willing to poach said player by any means necessary. I think the NBA likes that rule because it forces players to go through free agency and thus add interest/engagement for the offseason.
The current rules actually make it EASIER for players and teams to do bigger raises via extensions. The raise limits used to be to 120% of the final year salary in the previous contract, which is still the case for the over-MLE player, but has been made even bigger for the lower salaried player (it is up to 120% of an MLE-ish amount).
Like with all CBA cap rules, there are areas that get tricky like this one. But usually there are still solutions, even if they aren't your preference. In keeping your player, you can still pay him a bigger number - you just have to do it in free agency rather than as an extension.
Free agency means you have to compete. And to win, negotiate well (vs 29 other GMs). And in this case, it is helpful if you have the skill to also get the player to want your team and work with you on the deal, in some way or another.