By waiving and stretching Kyle Singler, the Thunder will reduce their projected tax bill to about $73.75MM, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who lists the current penalties for the other clubs above the tax line as well. As Marks observes, teams hovering near the tax line should make every effort to finish the season below that threshold, since the non-taxpayers will be in line for a financial windfall. Currently, the league’s 22 non-taxpaying teams project to receive $4.88MM apiece in distribution money from eight taxpayers.
Let’s round up a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world…
- While the usual suspects like DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas top Jesse Blancarte’s Basketball Insiders list of this summer’s most team-friendly contracts, Blancarte also identifies Ed Davis (Nets), Greg Monroe (Raptors), and Seth Curry (Trail Blazers) as potential bargains.
- Having signed with Fenerbahce earlier this summer, former Lakers point guard Tyler Ennis is excited about joining the Turkish powerhouse, as Antonis Stroggylakis of Eurohoops.net relays. “I started to got messages from our fans before I signed my contract,” Ennis told FB TV. “That was a huge support for me in that process. I can’t wait to get on the court and show them what I got.”
- Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Brandon Ingram (Lakers), and Jaylen Brown (Celtics) are among the potential breakout players named by Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders in an article on players who could take a third-year leap.
- A number of star players can hit free agency in 2019 and there should be plenty of teams with cap room available. Danny Leroux of The Athletic suggests that another interesting factor related to 2019’s free agent period involves all the star players who are already on long-term contracts. A team like the Lakers, for instance, with LeBron James locked up through at least 2021, will be able to sell potential targets on “a finished product rather than patience and possibility,” Leroux writes.
All 3 of the potential breakout players listed have skilled veterans playing the same position (Hayward, IT, LBJ). Nuggets and Lakers will both be fighting very hard in the West for a playoff spot, which probably translates to less developmental time for youngsters. Celtics sit comfortably at the top of the East, but Irving will handle the ball a lot and run the offense, while Hayward is an established scorer and Tatum would run many plays, too. Brown gotta be really really good to breakout offensively as a 3rd -4th option. Defensively, he has a good chance to get into one of the all defensive teams.
Celtics should also play excellent enough defense, where they won’t have to give Hayward and Kyrie a ton of minutes, in several games that won’t be close..So, Brown and Tatum, will get their own opportunities to be major parts of the offense..Especially, in the team’s “second unit,” where both players should star on both ends of the court…
Also, love the credit given to Murray and Dunn for their solid 2017-2018 seasons. Murray can even take his game to another level this season. He can improve his overall offensive game if he learns to be more efficient off the ball, and if he starts to get more aggressive driving to the basket and drawing more fouls around the rim..
Dunn was a pleasant suprise last season for the Bulls. Even so, the exciting part is that Dunn is FAR AWAY from a finished product. He can further improve his shooting touch, his decision making, and finishing around the basket. Defensively, Dunn is already one of the game’s best perimeter defenders as a PG, but if he takes another step forward this year, then Chicago’s rebuild would shorten significantly..Dunn, LaVine, Markkanen, and Carter Jr. are an excellent young core moving forward. This will be a HUGE upcoming season for this young core’s development..Hopefully they can gel together, and exceed expectations..
DMC is gotta be the steal of the summer, getting a superstar for 5MM$, incredible… though might only be for half a season, but in any case he is worth well over 30MM$, so still is a bargain in whichever way you look at it.
Definitely Ingram for me, even if not this season, he has potential to be a superstar in the league, last year he improved massively making him more of a reality than potential, despite he was plagued by injuries.
JB can be a very good player, maybe even a star in the league, if he is in the right situation for it.
Murray is the one with the less potential, he probably will be a good player, but he must improve a lot on his defence & play making, is a nice shooter, but you need to do more than just shoot, specially not been the main guy in the team he must defend.
As @rewane pointed out, none have clear claims on their positions, but since all are already good, it’s not a risky list (and includes Embiid also). Prince ATL, Dunn CHI, Labassiere SAC, &Cook GSW were also mentioned.
I predict after the top 4: Prince, DejMurray SAS, Poeltl SAS, Hield SAC, Brogdan MIL (traded) .