Mr Matt's Sports Blog

On Friday the TrailBlazers signed Restricted Free Agent PF Paul Millsap to an offer sheet at 4 years around 36 million. The Jazz have indicated that they plan to match the offer, determining that Millsap is their PF of the future. The Jazz have also told current starting PF Carlos Boozer that he is not part of their future plans and will try to trade him. So now the million dollar question, make that 12.6 million (Boozer's salary next year which is the last year of his contract) dollar question is, where will Boozer be playing basketball in 2009-2010? Many teams, including the Cavs, have a major need at PF. Some other teams include the Nets, Pacers and now the Bucks with Charlie Villanueva going to Detroit. However none of those teams is likely to get Boozer's services. The Cavs just overpaid their starting PF Andy Varejao a six year 48+ million dollar deal. A little bit too much money for a guy who gets 8ppg and 7rpg. The Nets are in a saving spree as they will try to...

Today is the first day that NBA Free Agents can negotiate with teams. However no one can officially sign until July 8th after the NBA releases it's salary cap and luxury tax information. Last year the cap was at $56.68 million with the luxury tax threshold at $71.15 million. Many have predicted that the salary cap will decrease this year due to the economy. If it does indeed decrease, it should only be by a couple of million. Regardless if it increases or decreases, there are only a few teams with ample cap room to sign another team's free agents. Those teams are Memphis, Detroit, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Toronto, and Portland who currently all have payrolls under $50 million on the books for next year. The NBA has a "soft" cap, meaning teams can go over the salary cap using one of many exceptions to sign/re-sign their players. Most of the exceptions are designed to help teams keep their current players. Teams can go over the cap, but if their payroll exceeds t...