Why would you wish that on yourself, or anyone really?
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7/16/25 Thoughts on the NBA Finals and the changing nature of free agency via the modern salary cap.
Part 1:
I think another reason why the Magic forced this trade was due to the changing nature of modern NBA free agency. It’s not what it used to be, not even close. Thanks to the gargantuan super max deals, and the new tax structure surrounding the ominous “second apron”, which Zach Lowe has aptly named “the hard cap”. Given that no teams are willing to dabble with the second apron and repeater tax penalties, teams are largely trying to fill in their roster with cheaper contracts. In fact, we will begin to more often see players become casualties of the second apron/hard tax penalties-either traded away for much less than their actual value or teams allowing them to walk instead of re signing them. For example, Boston is screwed. Minnesota is also in a very tight spot.
It’s why Miles Bridges’ 25 million dollar salary is not attractive. At all. The teams who would want a guy like Miles (at 25 million) to help bolster a playoff run have constructed their salary cap like a teetering jenga set. So adding a 25m deal is no easy feat. It’s why there was roughly zero buzz about his free agency (in addition to the felony DV). I believe that any “buzz” was strategically floated out by Miles’ agents, and any other team who wanted to sign him was not willing to go too far about the MLE level amount. Hence, you have the super max players and then surround them with the 6-15m contract players.
You simply cannot build a team through free agency anymore; however, you can add some supplementary pieces-but not long term core roster building. It has to be through trades and the draft.
What i do like about the changing nature of the salary cap is that it has emphasized the importance of drafting well. Specifically, adding versatile, depth players just like the Pacers and Thunder have done.
Look at the Pacers: They traded for Haliburton and Siakam, while rounding out their roster with drafted players who serve versatile roles.
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Part 2:
Just to add, let’s explore the Pacers roster. Their roster building is a direct impact of modern salary cap issues and the rapidly diminished role of free agency. Indiana is a perfect example of how “normal” teams build rosters that can have long term success. When I saw “normal teams”, I mean smaller market teams that don’t have the benefit of being teams like Boston, Lakers, Miami, etc. Whereas, players will take big discounts in free agency just so that they can play there. Indy, OKC, Charlotte, etc. Players aren’t tripping all over themselves to play here.
I’m looking at the Pacers depth chart and I’m not seeing a single player that they’ve signed in free agency over the last 3 seasons. None. Every guy they’ve either drafted or traded for. Yes, they re signed Siakam, but they traded for him to have the rights to offer the super max. Different situation, as TOR wasn’t going to sign him to the higher tier of the super max. Much like the Magic’s trade for Bane, people also responded with “wow that’s a lot to give up for a guy.” Well, yeah. It is. But that’s just how it works. I predict we will look back on the Magic trade for Bane much like everyone now perceives the Siakam to Indy trade. It’ll seem like a retroactive no brainer and will no longer be laughed at.
Haliburton: traded for. Draft by SAC with pick 11
Nemhard: drafted pick 31 in 2022
Nesmith: traded for after Boston gave up on him. BOS drafted at pick 14
Siakam: traded for. TOR drafted at pick 27
Myles Turner: drafted at pick 11 in 2015
TJ McConnel: I think Indy signed him as a UFA like 5-6 years ago?
Ben Sheppard: drafted at pick 26
Mathurin: drafted at pick 6
Jarace Walker: drafted at pick 8
Obi Toppin: traded for
Guys, what Indy has done with their roster is an absolute masterclass in modern NBA roster construction. None of those guys are pricey free agents. Zero. Nada. None. Outside of Mathurin (pick 6) and Jarace Walker (pick 8), none of those players are top 5 draft picks. It also helps that Indy has one of the best coaches who is a HoF tier coach.
The evisceration of nba free agency emphasizes the value of drafting well, but not just getting top 5 picks, but picking well in the late lottery and late first round. Why are mid to late round 1st round picks important? Because they’re generally not going to cost as much to re sign compared to super max salary structures of players in the early portions of the 1st round. Sometimes they do if they really pop like Haliburton or Siakam, but often not.
This is why I wish we could have as many picks in the 2025 first round as possible. Would it be great to have a guy like Harper or Cooper in Charlotte? Hell yes it would, but there are other pathways to being a good team. What Charlotte needs is a core of players that are just really solid, can play defense, shoot threes, guard multiple positions, and have SIZE. Charlotte has their “Haliburton” maestro type player in Melo as is, but we need guys like the Pacers have to surround him.
Don’t necessarily need to hit a grand slam every time in the draft. Hitting singles and doubles to acquire a steady stream of “high floor” players is just as important. Worked for Indy and OKC.
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It’s funny that all of this was brought on by LeBron and Chris Paul a cba or two ago pushing out the NBA middle class.
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I’d like to appreciate everyone for the likes and comments. It doesn’t matter though, because I get paid for word count when I post on HP. Your likes and comments don’t add anything to my paycheck. Having said, it’s only enough money to cover my HP membership fees.
I cannot agree with this enough. Amen. Oh lawd, amen. I am so sorry to people who like miles bridges, but chef, what you said said epitomizes why miles bridges contract or re signing in general was horrible.
Like 7-10 years ago bridges contract structure would’ve been an asset. But not here in reality. The hornets will never trade him. Because they can’t.
And it’ll be another example of the hornets not being to capitalize on assets. And another example of the hornets shooting themselves in the foot by overpaying.
I wouldn’t say it’s untradeable. Even if he doesn’t get any better, it is one of those contracts that becomes 60-75% of the value of a big contract. Say for instance Charlotte kept cap space, they could trade miles and a minor salary to a time like Philly or clips for Paul George and a minor asset.
But to your point, the hornets once again painted themselves into a corner with a “got a resign this guy” type of move
Daaaaaang! That is a long time. I had no idea that Myles was in the league that long. But this is a great opportunity to point out that Myles went through YEARS of injuries and the Pacer’s didn’t trade him out of frustration.
Yet another lesson to be learned from the Pacers.
I thought that Obi was well on his way to being a bust. It would be ironic if he won a title.
From my understanding the Bridges contract wasn’t that bad AND he’s been the most consistent on court player for our team when he’s not had off court stuff. I think when the rest of the team had packed shit up at the end of last season he even showed fairly well. NOW, I do understand most don’t want to take the risk given his issues outside of basketball but his ability and consistency on the court don’t make the contract all that bad. Someone possibly could want him and I think we could move him without too much damage if our FO is worth a crap. That’s coming from someone who never wanted to draft him in the first place.
I will give Miles credit when it’s due. I thought he stepped up his game and played a better, more well rounded game. Coincidentally, this is when his threes started to go in. I don’t feel like going back and looking, but I remember a stretch of a couple weeks when he was red hot from three towards the latter stages of the season. It’s tough when he’s shooting 30% from three. Since Miles is a negative on the defensive end on the floor (both individual and team defender), to make a bigger impact on the game his threes need to drop at the 37-39% rate instead of the 30-31% rate we’ve generally seen.
But here’s miles bridges’ major flaw. In the NBA, if you’re not a good outside shooter, you better REALLY make up for it in other facets of the game. Is he a great defender? No. Is he a great passer/facilator? No. Is he a great rebounder? Good, but relies too much on athleticism instead of technique. Can he attack the basket? Yeah, he’s above average. He’s started to get to the line more. Edit: Miles is 42nd in the league at free throw attempts.
So we have a guy who shot 31% from three last year, (and is generally a 30-33% three point shooter) who is also a poor defender.
If we again look at the Pacers and Thunder rosters. Their rangy guys are generally good shooters and defenders. Siakam and J Williams, the starting power forwards. Shooters and defenders, check.
Miles is an exceptional free throw shooter. I believe he was in the top 20 in the entire league in terms of percentage from the line.
His three point shot has always been a mystery to me. He’ll go through super hot stretches where it looks smooth and natural, and then stretches when he’s churning out 0/5 nights. When his three is off he puts up some spectacular bricks.