It's with this glorious photo of Chairman Yi that I would like to introduce this new pet project of mine I hope is destined to become a tradition. Starting this year (duh!) The Hoops Nerd will publish one lineup per season that will attempt to form the best twelve-player team possible under the current NBA salary cap. This of this as Extreme Couponing for men. I will take into account their salary, how well they fit together and will hire veterans for chemistry purpose, because shopping on rookie deals only would be cheating. I also took into account whether or not a player would accept coming off the bench. That's why you won't see starters on my bench. I took for granted they wouldn't accept that role. Same thing for 11th and 12th spot. I selected guys who would likely accept that role.
The current NBA salary cap is 58, 68 million dollars. I will not try and pretend to understand all the intricacies of the current CBA David Stern has put together with his team of blood-drinking lawyers, but I'll add two twists that should make my life easier. I'll allow myself a five million dollars mid-level exception (that I have to spent on one player if I'm not mistaken) and two million dollars into the luxury tax (two million dollars is acceptable, right?) So here is what I think is the best possible team you can put up with a 65,68 million dollars payroll. Here are the 2013 MONTREAL SALARYMEN!
Starting Five
Starting Five
Point Guard - Kyrie Irving (5,53 millions). I don't think you'll argue with me here that Kyrie is the point guard offering the most bang for your buck. He can orchestrate the attack, shoot, pass the rock, drive, defend the perimeter and he's still on his rookie contract.
Shooting Guard - Iman Shumpert (1,68 millions). It was between him and Avery Bradley. Shump is paid a little more and isn't as polished yet, but he has more size, better athleticism and can play wing too. Also, I'm a Knicks fan, remember?
Small Forward - Jimmy Butler (1,09 millions). Sorry for shopping in the kiddie corner again, but if your wing player isn't going to be your main source of offense, he needs to be your "glue guy" and in that regards, nobody offers a better value than Jimmy Butler in the entire league. Just ask LeBron.
Power Forward - Kevin Love (13,67 millions). Now we're talking. Love can both stretch the floor with his ridiculous three points and bully just about everybody in the paint. Injuries have ruined his year, but I expect nothing less than crushing when he comes back.
Center - Tim Duncan (9,64 millions). Very difficult choice to make. But in the end, Duncan is a smart, two-way player, an elite rim defender and an invaluable presence in the locker room. Plus, he is a ridiculous deal for what he can offer.
Sixth Man
Shooting Guard - Jamal Crawford (5,00 millions). I know J.R Smith won the sixth man award this year and is paid about half the money, but I think Jamal is a lot more consistent given a good situation. Plus, he doesn't mind coming off the bench.
Bench
Point Guard - Aaron Brooks (2,50 millions). Another heat-check guy that comes with an absurd price tag, thanks to the Sacramento Kings and their nasty habit of mishandling talent. Brooks can be relied upon to keep your team scoring while you're resting your starters.
Small Forward - Shane Battier (3,14 millions). Mr. Timely Three. You need shooters off your bench. Shooters and reliable defense. Both things happens to be Battier's specialty. Plus, he happens to be a reputable leader
Center - Andre Drummond (2,36 millions). Oh, screw you! I know what you're going to say. He's been coming off the bench this year, all right? I agree it's not gonna happen next year, but there will be a new edition of the Salarymen next year. I'll take awesome off the bench for as long as I can.
Power Forward - Elton Brand (2,10 millions). Risky choice, I agree. But Brand is strong, reliable and an iron-willed leader. He could show the younger guys a thing or two about about work ethic and team-minded attitude. Always liked him.
Center/Power Forward - Zaza Pachulia (5, 25 millions). Tough guy. As tough as it gets. He's a team player, on the downside of his career and he will take the minutes he can get without arguing. Zaza is a great teammate and a no-non sense guy. That deep into your bench, you can't ask for much more.
Power Forward - Kevin Love (13,67 millions). Now we're talking. Love can both stretch the floor with his ridiculous three points and bully just about everybody in the paint. Injuries have ruined his year, but I expect nothing less than crushing when he comes back.
Center - Tim Duncan (9,64 millions). Very difficult choice to make. But in the end, Duncan is a smart, two-way player, an elite rim defender and an invaluable presence in the locker room. Plus, he is a ridiculous deal for what he can offer.
Sixth Man
Shooting Guard - Jamal Crawford (5,00 millions). I know J.R Smith won the sixth man award this year and is paid about half the money, but I think Jamal is a lot more consistent given a good situation. Plus, he doesn't mind coming off the bench.
Bench
Point Guard - Aaron Brooks (2,50 millions). Another heat-check guy that comes with an absurd price tag, thanks to the Sacramento Kings and their nasty habit of mishandling talent. Brooks can be relied upon to keep your team scoring while you're resting your starters.
Small Forward - Shane Battier (3,14 millions). Mr. Timely Three. You need shooters off your bench. Shooters and reliable defense. Both things happens to be Battier's specialty. Plus, he happens to be a reputable leader
Center - Andre Drummond (2,36 millions). Oh, screw you! I know what you're going to say. He's been coming off the bench this year, all right? I agree it's not gonna happen next year, but there will be a new edition of the Salarymen next year. I'll take awesome off the bench for as long as I can.
Power Forward - Elton Brand (2,10 millions). Risky choice, I agree. But Brand is strong, reliable and an iron-willed leader. He could show the younger guys a thing or two about about work ethic and team-minded attitude. Always liked him.
Center/Power Forward - Zaza Pachulia (5, 25 millions). Tough guy. As tough as it gets. He's a team player, on the downside of his career and he will take the minutes he can get without arguing. Zaza is a great teammate and a no-non sense guy. That deep into your bench, you can't ask for much more.
Shooting Guard/Small Forward - Kent Bazemore (0,48 million). For my twelfth spot, I need someone ready to accept waiting for his opportunities and have good energy from the bench. That is one of Bazemore's specialties.
Payroll: 47 840 000$
Average Age: 27,2
Didn't need the mid-level exception. Didn't need to go into the luxury tax. It was hard to come up with the best possible bunch of guys, but that's it. Since I have a little more than seventeen million dollars left, I think I could rope Gregg Popovich into coaching my team.
How would you think he'd do with my boys? Is this a championship-bound team? Would they even make the playoffs? I want to know what you think.
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