Trade & FA 2023-24: Stein-Ingram Trade Inevitable| LAL Want Lebron Back On Any Terms

[SleepingHero]

I think my understanding of NBA math is just fine   I said second apron would be 200 mil, not salary cap. An increase of less than 10 % in 2 years. Two supermax deals today are 100 mil, 2 supermax deals with projected increase will be roughly 110 mil (as I said).

I consider second apron as a hard cap where contenders will be. If you are giving away multiple supermax deals and want to be a contender, you will have to spend up to the second apron.

To make math easier and not complicate with 2 seasons ahead. Second apron today is 182 mil. 2 supermax deals are roughly 100 mil. This leaves 80 mil for rest of the roster. Easily 5 players with an average salary of 13 mil (65 mil) and the remaining 15 mil for rookies and vet min deals.

The roster you're describing is MIN. They currently have 2 super* max contracts on their books, although Towns' supermax won't kick in till next year. 

They're currently at 213 mil in salary. True that they filled out their roster with some good to great role players and they aren't as bereft as Phoenix. But one can't help think that their roster building strategy is pretty dumb. 

In 2024 when Towns' supermax kicks in (and they retain their guys) they'll be at a total roster salary of  roughly ~264 mil. At the minimum they'd be at 220 mil if they let Gobert walk. 

The key though, is that MIN found their 13mil guys before they got their supermaxes on the books. The new CBA will prevent a team like Minny filling out their roster after making the Gobert trade. 

*Gobert's contract isn't technically a supermax, but it might as well be.