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!
