For starters, congratulations on the Nuggets on the success they had this season; it is unfortunate the success was not as great as we all had hoped.
Now, on to the future, with the pluses and minuses this year does it make sense to tweak the roster in hopes for a championship run next year? Or is it time to re-build and hope the new foundation is enough to keep Melo around for a long time.
Here are the player salaries for the next couple of years. Please note for those hoping after Kmart’s contract ends they can go sign another max player… that ain’t how it works.
After Kmart & JR fall off the books the Nuggets will only be $4mm or $5mm under the cap (if the cap structure follows the same pattern as seen the last few years). The 2011 cap number is just a guesstimate.
|
Player |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Melo |
$15,779,912 |
$17,149,243 |
$18,518,575 |
|
Kmart |
$15,363,636 |
$16,545,454 |
FA |
|
Billups |
$12,100,000 |
$13,150,000 |
$14,200,000 |
|
Nene |
$10,520,000 |
$11,360,000 |
$11,600,000 |
|
JR |
$5,508,426 |
$6,031,851 |
FA |
|
Birdman |
$3,650,000 |
$3,942,000 |
$4,234,000 |
|
Balkman |
$2,036,920 |
$1,675,000 |
$1,675,000 |
|
Lawson |
$1,438,680 |
$1,546,560 |
$1,654,440 |
|
AC |
$1,306,455 |
FA |
FA |
|
Malik |
$1,300,000 |
FA |
FA |
|
Afflalo |
$1,086,240 |
$1,959,577 |
FA |
|
Graham |
$884,881 |
FA |
FA |
|
Petro |
$884,881 |
FA |
FA |
|
Total |
$74,860,031 |
$73,359,685 |
$51,882,015 |
|
Salary Cap |
$57,700,000 |
$56,100,000 |
$55,000,000 |
**2009 cap also includes $3mm to McDyess
They could choose not to re-sign Chauncey after next season; but would that really gain anything? Especially since the Nugs would only have six players under contract and still be at or slightly under the salary cap.
Who’s a keeper? Who’s a loser (in one way or another)?
Do we try to trade Nene this offseason? Try to trade JR’s and/or Kmart’s expiring contract? Something else?
And, who would you want to try to get?
