[jueozoowaoParticipant]

Durant: 18mil
Westbrook: 16mil
Perkins: 9mil
Ibaka: 10mil
The rest of OKC players: 12mil

Approximately, OKC would lock up roughly 65mil for next season, 2013-2014. And that is without Harden’c contract. Assuming a MAX Harden (roughly 15mil), that will push OKC payroll to 80mil. With luxury tax at roughly 70mil, and new CBA harsher tax penalty kick-in in 2013-2014, you’re looking for a 2.5-3.5 per dollar in tax penalty. OKC is going to pay at least 25mil in tax for 2013-2014 with MAX Harden. AND it’s going to get tougher as a repeat tax offender. I doubt OKC can retain a MAX Harden.

With that salary cap and luxury tax in mind, if you’re OKC, what would you do? Do you think with Perkins amnesty, they can contend with LAL/Miami? Or without Harden, do you consider OKC an elite team?

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 To answer your final question, OKC still will be an elite team without Harden.  They will remain elite on the offensive end as long as they have Westbrook and Durant.

OKC could amnesty Perkins and try to keep Harden, but then they will have lost their best post defender, which is significant considering LAL’s aquisition of Dwight Howard, and they will have next to zero flexibility in filling out the rest of their roster.  I think OKC might be best off trying to trade Harden for a good two way big man and cheap assets. Harden is a valuable piece, but he could be replaced, especially if Westbrook keeps improving.

[WimaoZEParticipant]

To answer your final question, OKC still will be an elite team without Harden. They will remain elite on the offensive end as long as they have Westbrook and Durant.

[leuozokoosaParticipant]

Six teams still have cap room, although three don’t have much to work with – the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Bobcats are all within $430k of the cap.

[Author]

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