The first domino fell before the season, when Oklahoma City sent James Harden to Houston instead of signing him to a big-money extension, and more are sure to follow.Īll told, the Grizzlies shaved nearly $40 million over the next three years after the two trades.
But even teams such as the Lakers and Bulls will likely have to be more responsible with their spending under the new deal, where repeat offenders are taxed at rates that multiply with each consecutive year they go over the cap. Playing in a smaller market, the Grizzlies don't have the extra revenue from lavish television contracts like teams in Los Angeles or New York, which makes it that much more difficult to go over the cap. The collective bargaining agreement negotiated after last year's lockout makes the penalties for exceeding the salary cap far more punitive, and the system begins in earnest next season. They do run the risk of upsetting the chemistry on a tight-knit group, even if there were some questions of how Gay's scoring fit in with the ball-dominant frontcourt of Gasol and Randolph.īut there may be more deals like this one coming in the new NBA economy. "Are you serious Rudy Gay is right there under KD, Lebron, Kobe, and Melo. "Wow that was 1 crazy trade today," Oklahoma City center Kendrick Perkins tweeted. 1 seed San Antonio before losing to Oklahoma City in seven games in the Western semifinals - all with Gay on the bench after needing season-ending shoulder surgery. The Grizzlies had their best playoff run in 2011 when they knocked off then-No. Trading away Gay also eases a luxury tax hit due next season, while concentrating the team around center Marc Gasol and All-Star forward Zach Randolph.
"Wow," Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley tweeted. It's a significant move for a team that was fourth in the Western Conference and three games behind the third-place Clippers. Memphis coach Lionel Hollins had been lobbying to keep his five starters together the rest of this season, but he apparently lost that fight. Team officials said that move put the Grizzlies in position not to have to make a move this season. Just over a week ago, the Grizzlies sent valuable reserve Marreese Speights and two other players to Cleveland in a move that cleared $6.4 million in salary and avoided a $4 million luxury tax hit this season. That's a big number for new owner Robert Pera, who took over the franchise last November and has quickly started addressing the team's salary situation. The 6-foot-8 small forward is due $16.5 million this season with $37 million more over the next two years. Gay, averaging 17.2 points and 5.9 rebounds, signed a five-year, $82 million maximum contract in July 2010 with Memphis. We also appreciate everything that Austin Daye has done for our team both on and off the court over the past three-plus years." "We want to thank Tayshaun for his professionalism and contributions over the last 10 years. "Trading a player like Tayshaun Prince, who has meant so much to our organization and contributed to our championship success, is never easy," Pistons president Joe Dumars said in a statement. Prince and Daye have both spent their entire careers with Detroit, and Prince was the last link to the proud championship team of 2003-04. "I've done everything possible for this team. "It's been my home for eight years," Calderon said in Atlanta, shortly before leaving the arena. The moves surprised many around the league, including Calderon and Prince. "In these players, we welcome NBA Champion and Olympic gold medalist Tayshaun Prince, as well as up-and-coming athletic forwards Ed Davis, who won an NCAA title at North Carolina, and Austin Daye." "We are excited to add three players who bring with them a tremendous amount of value to our team and have achieved incredible success on the pro, college and Olympic levels," Wallace said in a statement Wednesday night.
Memphis general manager Chris Wallace didn't mention finances in a statement issued Wednesday night, but there is no doubt they played a big role in the decision.