Paper Gui L.A The impact of the new collective bargaining agreement is far-reaching What can the team see in the offseason?

(Text/L.A. Van Cidy)

With the dark tide of offseason and preseason over, the wonderful NBA2023~2024 regular season is about to begin.

Due to the entry into force of the new collective bargaining agreement, especially the second local tyrant line, which has had a profound impact on the operation of the teams, this makes the offseason operation take on different characteristics.

Of course, the strong are always strong, and the player who should be paid the top salary is still the top salary. After all, the league's 30 teams can give an average of 2 top salaries, so that the league's top 50 players have the opportunity to get top salaries.

So thick eyebrows 186 million in 3 years, Jaylen Brown 304 million in 5 years, and Edwards 260 million in 5 years. Jaylen Brown's signing has been controversial, but what he says is a second-team player, it is definitely a top salary.

VanVleet signed the Rockets for 130 million in 3 years, which doesn't look worth it, but considering that he has 56th in the ESPN ranking, the Rockets headhunting from the Raptors and taking a top salary is normal.

Some players get their way to get paid well: Bruce Brown, Kuzma, Grant, Cameron Johnson, Vincent, Hachimura, Schroeder, Big Lopez, Gwe.

Some signings have a small premium, but they really don't have a choice, such as Middleton signing the Bucks for 3 years and signing the Spurs for 146 million for 5 years.

However, for some potential but did not perform satisfactorily last season for various reasons, no team is willing to gamble for them.

Typical examples such as Wood, Oubre, and Lonnie Walker only get a base salary and can't get a mini middle class; Wei Shao can only use non-bird rights to get a 2-year 8 million contract, and according to the old labor rules, his performance in the Clippers may be able to get a mini middle class.

The new labor agreement is too "stuck in the neck" of Haoqiang, and the mini middle class has been a necessity for Haoqiang in previous years. Now many giants (such as the Clippers, Warriors, Bucks) have surpassed the second local tyrant line, and there is no mini middle class.

The Lakers operated in a wave, lowering their salaries below the first local tycoon line, which freed up the full middle class and a two-year exception to sign, and they signed Vincent, Prince, Reddish and Wood. The Lakers have good depth in the roster and a five-up and five-down long rotation, which is because James is aging, has many injuries, and must have enough depth to ensure the regular season.

If you can't control your salary, you have to make a trade, such as the Bucks trading Holloday for Lillard; The Suns traded Paul and Ayton for Bill and Nurkic, and the Celtics traded Smart, Lowe and Brogdon for Porzingis and Holloday. These are in the nature of high gambles, and of course high rollers are worth it.

The Golden State Warriors traded Poole for Paul while considering salary relief. Because Poole's contract was too long, Paul only had two years left on his contract (25 seasons were still completely unguaranteed).

Affected by the Nuggets' short rotation to win the championship, the powerful Celtics chose a short rotation. The Celtics, known for their depth, took Gwe, Lowe, Smart and Brogdon in the offseason, and traded Porzingis and Holladay, with shorter rotations but stronger starters. The team left Pritchard with 30 million in 4 years, and there is only so much that can be done.

Most teams value long rotations, except for the Lakers, the Bucks traded Allen and Holloday for Lillard, and the rotation was short, but it was good to make up for Payne. The Suns traded a lot, and the trades of Nurkic, Allen and Little in exchange for Ayton, plus a group of cost-effective base-salary players, the rotation was enough.

The Heat were the underdog of offseason operations, taking Vincent and Strus and trying to trade Lillard to no avail.

The goal of mid-tier teams is naturally to make the playoffs.

They will properly strengthen without affecting the overall structure of the team to achieve the "optimal solution" of performance and salary. For example, the pacers headhunter came to Brown, and the lone ranger headhunter came to Gwei, all of which are good operations.

After accumulating a roster for many years, the Rockets played a big game this year, poaching coach Uduka, players Van Jordan, Dillon, etc., plus young Smith and Amen Thompson, is to hit the playoffs.

Through a wave of clever moves, the Thunder has accumulated 15 first rounds and 22 rounds, of course, it remains to be seen whether it can be converted into combat power. However, looking at the history of the Thunder once drafted three youngsters, the future can be expected.

The purpose of weak teams is to cultivate newcomers, especially the teams that have won high picks in this year's draft. Like the Spurs, the Hornets, the Blazers, the Pistons, the Magic. Of course, don't be surprised if Venbanyama's spurs rise to prominence.

The biggest drama of the offseason, "Where Did Lillard Go", has come to an end, and another big drama, "Where is Harden Going", must continue to be watched.

Looking at the operation of the teams in the offseason, the performance of the preseason is as follows:

Championship teams: Celtics, Nuggets, Suns, Bucks, Lakers.

Teams that could rush into the championship race: Warriors, Clippers (a big boost if Harden joins).

Strong contenders for the playoffs: Kings, Heat, 76ers, Timberwolves, Grizzlies (doubtful, the impact of Morant's 25-game ban is unknown, personally it is not recommended to overstate the strength of "No Mo Bear"), Knicks, Cavaliers, Hawks.

Teams capable of making the playoffs: Thunder, Pelicans, Pacers, Rockets, Mavericks, Bulls, Raptors, Jazz.

Most likely not making it to the playoffs: Nets, Magic, Wizards, Hornets, Spurs (Bonban may work miracles), Pistons, Blazers.