Free Agency Open Thread: Mitchell Extends
2026-07-08Good afternoon CtB!
Some Summer Open Thread action, stay tuned… there’s rumors of a vacation Cavs: the Podcast episode according to Shams Charania of ESPN (parody, non-actionable joke).
LeBron James has the NBA world waiting with bated breath as he takes his time to hear the pitches from several teams on where to end his legendary career. Speculation runs rampant that the longer it goes on, the more likely he will end up a Cav… so fingers crossed it’s true!
Donovan Mitchell signed his max extension, which means the Cavs can rest easy knowing that the Mitchell trade will go down in history as an unqualified success. He potentially left a lot of money on the table, to the surprise of many though no one should feel bad for him given the quarter billion-dollar contract he will earn.
Regarding James Harden’s free agency status, it appears he’s also helping the team figure out how to supplement the roster to chase LeBron. Trey Murphy git r dun Korby!!!
Looking forward to the song and dance being over. LeBron is LeBron and he loves the song and dance. Three more days to the longest he’s ever waited. Wouldn’t be surprised if he stretches it out longer.
To me, the only thing that makes any sense is he’s allowing time for the Cavs to potentially pull off a deal.
OK, I am working on the following assumptions.
1) Harden will re-sign. Probably a cap friendly deal for 3 years.
2) We are near all-in in LeBron.
3) But we want to stay under the 2nd apron.
4) LeBron is not gonna sign a vet min deal. Assume it takes full MLE money to land him ($15 mil).
I’d love to be wrong on #4, but I will believe it when I see it. If so, then that LeBron savings can go to supplement another FA signing or trade.
With Thomas signed, we are around $184 mil in salary. $36 mil below the 2nd apron. $23 below the first apron. 12 players under contract. 3 spots open.
Spotrac finally has Harden’s cap hold, but still has us below the first apron. Still confused there.
Anyway, assume 3/$75 for Harden with $20 the first year.
That would put us $3 below the first apron and $16 below the 2nd. Full MLE would hard cap us at the first, so not an option. If we can find a partner to dump the Umlat, for nada, that would create a $15 mil trade exception, which we could use on LeBron, as we are now below the first apron after giving him $15 mil. 3 spots open. $16 mil under the 2nd apron. Full taxpayer MLE ($6 mil) still there. With Strus’ expiring on the books. If the King comes for less, then use that exception on someone… Read more »