A little help from you capologists

[msgkings322]

So I don't know much about cap rules, but I'm thinking about the Warriors. The next 2 years they have Curry, Draymond, and Butler signed for big bucks...but they surely want to make Kuminga a fair offer (he's a RFA after this year, his 4th)...can they structure it like 15 mil a year for those next 2 years, and then balloon it to like 45 mil a year when the big 3 are off the books and presumably Kuminga is more seasoned and ready to be the main guy?

 

[MHSL82]

From ChatGPT: Good thinking. The NBA has rules that limit how much a contract can “balloon” over the years, but something like what you’re describing is possible within those constraints.

Here’s how it works:

1. Maximum Annual Raises – For a team re-signing its own player using Bird Rights (which the Warriors will have with Kuminga), salaries can increase by up to 8% per year of the first-year salary. That means they can’t just go from $15M to $45M suddenly—it has to increase gradually.

2. Front- or Back-Loaded Contracts – The Warriors could start Kuminga lower in the first couple of years, then increase it, but the jumps are limited by that 8% rule.

3. Extending His Rookie Contract vs. RFA Contract – If they extend Kuminga before he hits free agency (before the season starts), they can negotiate a deal right away. If they wait until restricted free agency, they can match any offer but will have to structure it within the cap rules.

4. “Cap-Smoothing” Strategy – A possible workaround is a shorter-term deal (maybe a two-year bridge contract) followed by a max or near-max contract once Curry, Draymond, and Butler are off the books. That would allow them to pay Kuminga less while the Big 3 are still around, then give him a massive deal when the financial flexibility opens up.

5. Max Contract Consideration – If Kuminga develops into a true star, he could be eligible for a max contract (which could start around $40M+ per year depending on the salary cap at the time). The Warriors might just have to bite the bullet and pay him big money when that time comes.

So, while they can’t go straight from $15M to $45M in one jump, they can structure a deal that starts lower and increases over time, just within the NBA’s rules.

 

[broncosmitty]

I’m no contract expert. Not in the slightest.

But the cap is going up like 10% next year. Like 14-15million more than this year. So the Dubs will have more wiggle room than expected.

 

[tlance]

So I don't know much about cap rules, but I'm thinking about the Warriors. The next 2 years they have Curry, Draymond, and Butler signed for big bucks...but they surely want to make Kuminga a fair offer (he's a RFA after this year, his 4th)...can they structure it like 15 mil a year for those next 2 years, and then balloon it to like 45 mil a year when the big 3 are off the books and presumably Kuminga is more seasoned and ready to be the main guy?

If they run into trouble…

They can trade Curry to the Wizards for Jordan Poole so Curry can play with Flagg.

That will solve everything!

 

[thunderc]

If they run into trouble…

They can trade Curry to the Wizards for Jordan Poole so Curry can play with Flagg.

That will solve everything!

Might need Jimmy too to even it up

 

[thunderc]

Good stuff on where the Thunder are positioned with the cap

Latest NBA salary cap projections may have direct impact on Thunder offseason plans

A deep dive into how the recent 2026 salary cap projections could impact the Oklahoma City Thunder's offseason plans.

thunderousintentions.com

 

[trojanfan12]

So I don't know much about cap rules, but I'm thinking about the Warriors. The next 2 years they have Curry, Draymond, and Butler signed for big bucks...but they surely want to make Kuminga a fair offer (he's a RFA after this year, his 4th)...can they structure it like 15 mil a year for those next 2 years, and then balloon it to like 45 mil a year when the big 3 are off the books and presumably Kuminga is more seasoned and ready to be the main guy?

No. Their only hope is to trade Kuminga to the Lakers for Shake Milton.

 

[trojanfan12]

Good stuff on where the Thunder are positioned with the cap

Latest NBA salary cap projections may have direct impact on Thunder offseason plans

A deep dive into how the recent 2026 salary cap projections could impact the Oklahoma City Thunder's offseason plans.

thunderousintentions.com

Thunder, Thunder, Thuuunderrr.

 

[thunderc]

Thunder, Thunder, Thuuunderrr.


View attachment 393219

Yup usually how it is with the leagues best team

 

[tlance]

Might need Jimmy too to even it up

Maybe.

Although I kind of want to see Draymond and Jimmy both team up against Poole