DAME COMING HOME?

[riverman]

With the franchise player back, it adds value to the team going into a bidding war to sell it. I don't think Vulcan is worried about financial flexibility given they're selling the team but having a brand is worth a little extra expense going into bidding.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

We're worried about extending Avdija in 2028 when the cap may be $200M because the Blazers gave Dame signed for $14M a year ending in 2028?

I'm sorry but I don't follow.

But this doesnt apply to rookie extensions so that's the post that's confusing to me. Is this a non-rookie contract extension thing?

See JJJ extension. Grizz needed cap space to offer that. Markenan, Sabonis, etc. with vets can only give so much of a raise on extensions. If guys are max players it's not an issue but lower salaries like these mentioned players extensions can have much lower limits without cap space.

 

[wizenheimer]

Do you have something youre referencing that you could share? The extension wouldnt just take place starting in 2028? They have Bird Rights so they wouldnt need cap space? Really confused about this so would like to see where its coming from.

well, to start with, yes, the extension would begin in 2028. There are no option years at the end of Avdija's current contract. IIRC, If the Blazers would have had major cap-space next summer, it could have been a 3 year extension beginning in the 2028-29 season. Without cap-space the max base salary the Blazers could have given him would be 140% of last salary. His final salary of his current contract is 11.875M. 140% of that is 16.6M....which will likely be less than the non-tax MLE that season

the reason this has been a point of discussions is that while people are really happy about Deni's budget contract, many see the reality that it means Deni will be UFA in 2028. Obviously, Portland can give Deni and extra year and higher step raises....but, they reportedly offered Aldridge those things and it didn't matter. The risk of having a UFA

remember now....the months-long discussion was about extending an existing contract. It wasn't about using Bird Rights as leverage to re-sign a UFA

 

[SharpesTriumph]

well, to start with, yes, the extension would begin in 2028. There are no option years at the end of Avdija's current contract. IIRC, If the Blazers would have had major cap-space next summer, it could have been a 3 year extension beginning in the 2028-29 season. Without cap-space the max base salary the Blazers could have given him would be 140% of last salary. His final salary of his current contract is 11.875M. 140% of that is 16.6M....which will likely be less than the non-tax MLE that season

the reason this has been a point of discussions is that while people are really happy about Deni's budget contract, many see the reality that it means Deni will be UFA in 2028. Obviously, Portland can give Deni and extra year and higher step raises....but, they reportedly offered Aldridge those things and it didn't matter. The risk of having a UFA

remember now....the months-long discussion was about extending an existing contract. It wasn't about using Bird Rights as leverage to re-sign a UFA

I think the cap space is needed because the team renegotiates the current year salary (gives a raise) and then can have larger future seasons.

 

[wizenheimer]

But this doesnt apply to rookie extensions so that's the post that's confusing to me. Is this a non-rookie contract extension thing?

yes....Deni is on his 2nd contract.

 

[Natebishop3]

well, to start with, yes, the extension would begin in 2028. There are no option years at the end of Avdija's current contract. IIRC, If the Blazers would have had major cap-space next summer, it could have been a 3 year extension beginning in the 2028-29 season. Without cap-space the max base salary the Blazers could have given him would be 140% of last salary. His final salary of his current contract is 11.875M. 140% of that is 16.6M....which will likely be less than the non-tax MLE that season

the reason this has been a point of discussions is that while people are really happy about Deni's budget contract, many see the reality that it means Deni will be UFA in 2028. Obviously, Portland can give Deni and extra year and higher step raises....but, they reportedly offered Aldridge those things and it didn't matter. The risk of having a UFA

remember now....the months-long discussion was about extending an existing contract. It wasn't about using Bird Rights as leverage to re-sign a UFA

The other thing is that free agents of Deni's caliber almost never hit the open market anymore. A lot of teams could make a run at him. I'm hoping Cronin will not pull a Neil and actually get a feel from Deni. If it doesn't seem like he will re-sign, you move his ass.

 

[wizenheimer]

I think the cap space is needed because the team renegotiates the current year salary (gives a raise) and then can have larger future seasons.

I'm not positive but I don't believe that's true. Teams and players can agree to cancel an option year and backtrack to the last guaranteed year and extend based upon that season (like we've been discussing about Camara). But Deni has no option years and the only way they might cancel any of the three remaining years (assuming the CBA actually allows it) is for both the team and player to agree to tear up the contract and both lose Bird Rights

again....I'm not sure what the CBA allows but guaranteed ciontract years are difficult to alter

 

[SharpesTriumph]

The other thing is that free agents of Deni's caliber almost never hit the open market anymore. A lot of teams could make a run at him. I'm hoping Cronin will not pull a Neil and actually get a feel from Deni. If it doesn't seem like he will re-sign, you move his ass.

On the flip side teams almost never have cap space any more. Some project to have it now - but we get a bunch of the extensions locked up in the next 6 months and most of that could evaporate.

Doubt Deni would want to go to a rebuilding Nets/Jazz type of team.

Yes the 6ers had space last summer but that is about the only competitive team recently that has.

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

I think the cap space is needed because the team renegotiates the current year salary (gives a raise) and then can have larger future seasons.

100% correct.

Myles Turner is the last one to do so that I recall.

To get Deni to ~$40M/yr starting salary for an extension (prior to becoming an UFA) -> Portland would need his current contract to end at $28.5M [$40M / 1.4 max raise percentage]. Deni currently makes ~$12M in the '27-'28 season. Portland can give Deni a raise in the '27-'28 season, but ONLY if they are below the cap. To be able to increase Deni's '27-'28 salary from $12M to $28.5M - Portland would need to be under the cap by ~$16.5M [$28.5M - $12M] that season.

To get Deni to a $50M/yr extension -> Portland would need to be under the cap by ~ $24M.

But all this is likely a moot point. Deni is likely to enter UFA status in July '28. Portland will be able to offer him up to a maximum contract to stay. Unfortunately, other teams may also be able to offer him a max contract for him to move... It all depends on where Deni wants to be/play.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I'm not positive but I don't believe that's true. Teams and players can agree to cancel an option year and backtrack to the last guaranteed year and extend based upon that season (like we've been discussing about Camara). But Deni has no option years and the only way they might cancel any of the three remaining years (assuming the CBA actually allows it) is for both the team and player to agree to tear up the contract and both lose Bird Rights

again....I'm not sure what the CBA allows but guaranteed ciontract years are difficult to alter

I thought there had to be a raise in the current season. If not why the need for cap space?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

100% correct.

Myles Turner is the last one to do so that I recall.

To get Deni to ~$40M/yr starting salary for an extension (prior to becoming an UFA) -> Portland would need his current contract to end at $28.5M [$40M / 1.4 max raise percentage]. Deni currently makes ~$12M in the '27-'28 season. Portland can give Deni a raise in the '27-'28 season, but ONLY if they are below the cap. To be able to increase Deni's '27-'28 salary from $12M to $28.5M - Portland would need to be under the cap by ~$16.5M [$28.5M - $12M] that season.

To get Deni to a $50M/yr extension -> Portland would need to be under the cap by ~ $24M.

But all this is likely a moot point. Deni is likely to enter UFA status in July '28. Portland will be able to offer him up to a maximum contract to stay. Unfortunately, other teams may also be able to offer him a max contract for him to move... It all depends on where Deni wants to be/play.

So that hypothetical raise would be done in summer 2027?

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

I'm not positive but I don't believe that's true. Teams and players can agree to cancel an option year and backtrack to the last guaranteed year and extend based upon that season (like we've been discussing about Camara). But Deni has no option years and the only way they might cancel any of the three remaining years (assuming the CBA actually allows it) is for both the team and player to agree to tear up the contract and both lose Bird Rights

again....I'm not sure what the CBA allows but guaranteed ciontract years are difficult to alter

It can happen. See Myles Turner.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...-turner-reach-2-year-60m-extension-agent-says

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner has agreed to a two-year, $60 million contract extension that includes an additional $17.1 million renegotiation on his 2022-23 salary, his agent Austin Brown of CAA Sports told ESPN on Saturday.

The deal will include a $17.1 million renegotiation bump -- the largest in NBA history -- on Turner's $18 million salary this season, with an additional $41 million over the next two seasons that ties Turner to the Pacers through the 2024-25 season.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[wizenheimer]

The other thing is that free agents of Deni's caliber almost never hit the open market anymore. A lot of teams could make a run at him. I'm hoping Cronin will not pull a Neil and actually get a feel from Deni. If it doesn't seem like he will re-sign, you move his ass.

yeah

the Blazers will have the leverage of Bird Rights. Yes, they can give him a guaranteed 5th season, like they did with Grant. But the 4th year would be when he's 31 and he'd likely be getting a 5th year anyway...along with more seasons, from a new contract. And he might be able to leverage more money at 31 than at 32

so, while that 5th year would have some appeal, it may not be as much leverage for Portland as people are thinking. The differential between 8% step raises and 5% step raises is significant. But again, if Deni isn't happy in Portland that step raise differential may not be much leverage either

 

[BonesJones]

100% correct.

Myles Turner is the last one to do so that I recall.

To get Deni to ~$40M/yr starting salary for an extension (prior to becoming an UFA) -> Portland would need his current contract to end at $28.5M [$40M / 1.4 max raise percentage]. Deni currently makes ~$12M in the '27-'28 season. Portland can give Deni a raise in the '27-'28 season, but ONLY if they are below the cap. To be able to increase Deni's '27-'28 salary from $12M to $28.5M - Portland would need to be under the cap by ~$16.5M [$28.5M - $12M] that season.

To get Deni to a $50M/yr extension -> Portland would need to be under the cap by ~ $24M.

But all this is likely a moot point. Deni is likely to enter UFA status in July '28. Portland will be able to offer him up to a maximum contract to stay. Unfortunately, other teams may also be able to offer him a max contract for him to move... It all depends on where Deni wants to be/play.

The thing is, he doesn't have to be an UFA during free agency. Blazers can re-sign him before that and I think they would.

 

[wizenheimer]

It can happen. See Myles Turner.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...-turner-reach-2-year-60m-extension-agent-says

are you sure that wasn't an option year?

and it was a one time bump in salary

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

So that hypothetical raise would be done in summer 2027?

Yes. It could happen any time between July 2026 and January 2028. Summer of 27 would be most likely for an extension.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

The thing is, he doesn't have to be an UFA during free agency. Blazers can re-sign him before that and I think they would.

Blazers cannot give Deni a big raise without cap space.

So no Blazers wouldn't be able to sign him until July 8 2028.

They now could discuss a new contract a few days earlier than other teams

 

[SharpesTriumph]

are you sure that wasn't an option year?

Story was from Jan2023... So no, 2022-23 options are all over at that point.

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

The thing is, he doesn't have to be an UFA during free agency. Blazers can re-sign him before that and I think they would.

Incorrect. That is why we have had the same damn conversation over & over for the last 2 weeks.

I guess Blazers CAN resign him before he gets to UFA.... But the MAX they can offer him is 140% of his last year of his contract ($12M) or of the MLE of that season (~$17M). So the first year of his extension would be ~$24M/yr. That's the equivalent to a 4-yr - $100M contract.

The way Deni played last year, I'm guessing he is going to be paid more than that....

are you sure that wasn't an option year?

Yes - it was in the middle of the season. The bump to his salary was for that CURRENT year that he was playing.

 

[wizenheimer]

The thing is, he doesn't have to be an UFA during free agency. Blazers can re-sign him before that and I think they would.

how?

keep in mind that in 2028-29, the max salary for a player with Deni's experience would be around 60M

 

[LayneStaley]

I think all this Deni contract back and forth is kinda pointless. When he becomes a UFA one team can offer him more money over more years. If he turns that down that means he doesn’t wanna be here, at that point why would anyone care if he leaves. I’m also pretty confident Joe would figure this out before and trade him if Deni didn't plan on staying. I don’t see Deni lying to Joe about wanting to be in PDX just to leave for less money when he’s free.

 

[Natebishop3]

 

[wizenheimer]

Yes - it was in the middle of the season. The bump to his salary was for that CURRENT year that he was playing.

so again...it was the final year of his contract, right? And the remaining years were an escalation of the raise based upon cap-space

in other words, if the Blazers miraculously have 30M in cap-space in 2027-28, they could give Deni a 42M salary that season and then have an extension based upon 30M in cap-space.

by the way, that Turner bump was under the previous CBA. Is the new CBA the same in that regard?

this discussion is kind of pointless anyway. Portland won't have significant cap-space at any point over the next 3 seasons

 

[TYDame]

Is there a Press Conference for Dame coming back?

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

in other words, if the Blazers miraculously have 30M in cap-space in 2027-28, they could give Deni a 42M salary that season and then have an extension based upon 30M in cap-space.

by the way, that Turner bump was under the previous CBA. Is the new CBA the same in that regard?

Yes - the CBA provision is the same in that regard.

A slight correction though...
IF Portland could get $30M under the Cap in the '27-'28 season, they can bump Deni's '27-'28 salary up to $42M. The extension would be based on the $42M/yr number. The $30M in cap space is no longer relevant since it was used to bump Deni up from $12M to $42M.

In this scenario, an extension for Deni could start at ~$59M/yr (and the total additional years could be 4-yrs / $263M)

 

[wizenheimer]

Yes - the CBA provision is the same in that regard.

A slight correction though...
IF Portland could get $30M under the Cap in the '27-'28 season, they can bump Deni's '27-'28 salary up to $42M. The extension would be based on the $42M/yr number. The $30M in cap space is no longer relevant since it was used to bump Deni up from $12M to $42M.

In this scenario, an extension for Deni could start at ~$59M/yr (and the total additional years could be 4-yrs / $263M)

but that's not what happened to Myles Turner



he got the one time bump

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

but that's not what happened to Myles Turner

View attachment 74667

he got the one time bump

Indiana was in a unique situation. They had cap space that was going to go to 'waste' if they did not use it. They utilized the renegotiation to give Turner an advance on his money so that the cap hit would be lower in 23/24 & 24/25.

Because Turner wasn't worth more than that on the open market, they didn't need to give Turner more money in those seasons. But Indiana COULD have extended him based on that $35M number if they wanted to.

 

[BBert]

ROFL imagine being unhappy about getting the greatest player your franchise has ever seen on an mle while fleecing Toumani, Deni, Jrue Holiday and 3 MIL picks post Giannis

You are saying they said something that they did not say. Well done.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Yes. Dame didn't force the Blazers to do anything. The Blazers appear to have accepted Dame's terms. They didn't have to. They certainly could have played this other ways if this was all one big kumbaya, Dame wants to rehab at home and fans can feel good at the nostalgia of having him back. It looks like the front office prioritized Dame's wishes over the growth of the team this year (unless someone wants to assert his leadership during rehab makes him worth it), and, while I understand why the Blazers might do that, I'd like an explanation why they did that if building for a deep playoff run is the ultimate goal.

The Blazers haven't been making the right moves for me to believe they are building for a deep playoff run for quite a while now. Since at least the All-Star break.