I'm assuming you mean the tax-MLE? but that's along the lines of what I was thinking, but I guess it's based upon whether a team can give a 2 year contract with a player option for the 2nd year?
if they can then Portland can give Kanter about 5.5M next year on a 2 year deal, with a player option for the 2nd season. That option would 'protect' Kanter in case he suffered a serious injury next season. He could then opt-out and sign a 1 year deal for 9.6M. Essentially, that could give him a 2-year/15.1M deal. And I guess they could repeat the process, meaning his 2nd deal could be a 2-year/20M contract with a player option for the 2nd season. Unless there's some CBA rule I don't know about?
for that matter, Portland could do the same 'process' with Hood and Curry. Hood would get 2 years at about 11.5M (4.17M + 7.29M); and Curry could get 9.22M (3.35M + 5.87M)
again, if all that is legal I'm not sure. I also have no clue if those salaries would be enough to keep those players. Seems like the Blazers are walking a 2-edged sword. The further Portland advances in the playoffs and the more those free agents are integral to Portland success, the more they'll command as free agents
and of course there is the issue of Aminu's free agency and how much tax Jody Allen is willing to pay next season