Salary

[tmac13]

What is the 1st year price for a max salary play(Kobe type)?

[Diesel]

Kobe opting out could cost as much as 15 million for the first year.

I advocating a 6 year 102 million dollar deal that starts at about 13.5 for Kobe.

It would be hard to match. I mean Denver could match but they couldn't resign Camby if they did... Plus I think that they are starting to sell themselves on KMart.

Phoenix could match and I think that they probably will be in the same ball park. However, I then wonder if they would give up Joe Johnson. If their problem is fans in the seats...

I'm wondering if:

JT/our late first/2nd can get us JJ/their early first.

[Weez]

Diesel - I think your figure might be a tad high - though the "max" if based on a percentage of the current salary cap (I believe). If a team resigns the player, he's eligible for an extra year (6 vs. 7) and 12.5% raises annually vs. 10% (or so) if he signs with another team.

Prior to the deadline, the Suns DID NOT have enough cap room (only about 10 million or so) to fight for the Kobester, but Im not sure how things are now since the Gugs trade (good or bad, haven't looked into it).

But the starting cap hit isnt' 15 mill for Kobe if he were to leave LA.