As the Cleveland Cavaliers are finding out, staying within the confines of the NBA salary cap and competing for a league title usually don’t mix, which means paying some form of a luxury tax. In the Cavaliers’ case, it will be a steep bill to pay, but owner Dan Gilbert knows that he has little alternative.
That begs the question what type of team could be put together if that cap threshold couldn’t be broken, in this case past the $70 million limit. ESPN.com had one list recently, but we’ve decided to try out five different ones with roster of 13 players apiece. We’re veering away from their restriction of not being able to use rookie contracts, simply because in the real world, those rookie deals are part of any payroll. While most fans love to play general manager, moving within such a restrictive structure will test the mettle of any would-be GM.
Team No. 1 ($69,373,064)
Starters:
Tim Duncan, C, San Antonio Spurs
2015-16 Salary: $5,250,000
2014-15 Stats: 13.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.0 BPG
Anthony Davis, PF, New Orleans Hornets
2015-16 Salary: $7,070,730
2014-15 Stats: 24.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.9 BPG, 2.2 APG
Trevor Ariza, SF, Houston Rockets
2015-16 Salary: $8,193,030
2014-15 Stats: 12.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.9 SPG
Bradley Beal, SG, Washington Wizards
2015-16 Salary: $5,694,674
2014-15 Stats: 15.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.2 SPG
Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors
2015-16 Salary: $11,370,786
2014-15 Stats: 23.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 7.7 APG, 2.0 SPG
Reserves:
Jordan Hill, C, Indiana Pacers
2015-16 Salary: $4,000,000
2014-15 Stats: 12.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG
Chris Kaman, C, Portland Trail Blazers
2015-16 Salary: $5,016,000
2014-15 Stats: 11.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG
Paul Pierce, SF, Los Angeles Clippers
2015-16 Salary: $3,376,000
2014-15 Stats: 11.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
Harrison Barnes, SF, Golden State Warriors
2015-16 Salary: $3,873,398
2014-15 Stats: 10.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.4 APG
Luis Scola, PF, Toronto Raptors
2015-16 Salary: $3,000,000
2014-15 Stats: 9.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG
Manu Ginobli, PG, San Antonio Spurs
2015-16 Salary: $2,800,000
2014-15 Stats: 10.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.4 SPG
Courtney Lee, SG, Memphis Grizzlies
2015-16 Salary: $5,675,000
2014-15 Stats: 10.1 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.0 APG
Devin Harris, PG/SG
2015-16 Salary: $4,053,446
2014-15 Stats: 8.8 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 3.1 APG
Next: Team No. 2
