While the Lakers being incompetent is hardly surprising, Rob Pelinka not understanding the cap/CBA is.
Does anyone remember Carlos Boozer’s departure from the Cavaliers in 2004? He was due to earn $700,000 on an option year, well below his production at the time averaging a double-double in points/rebounds. There was apparently a gentleman’s agreement between the Cavaliers’ front office and Boozer/his agent. The Cavaliers chose not to pick up the option, allowing Boozer to become a restricted free agent. Instead of signing the Cavaliers’ six year, $41 million offer, he signed the Jazz’s six year, $68 million offer which the Cavaliers could not match. Boozer’s agent was Rob Pelinka. The agency was apparently so horrified by this they dropped Boozer as a client (which almost never happens) and Pelinka resigned. It’s believed he was forced out because he orchestrated the entire thing.
1. This is one of the reasons everyone hates Rob Pelinka.
2. Considering how good he was at getting his clients paid by doing shitbag stuff like the story above, I’m having a hard time believing Pelinka, of all people, didn’t know how the cap works.
3. Last year, the Lakers waited until September 1 to waive and stretch Luol Deng, notably after he gave money back. This allowed Deng’s contract to be stretched over three years instead of five and for under $5 million per year, allowing the Lakers to open up cap space for a 10-year vet max contract ($37.5 million). Again, I’m having a hard time believing Pelinka didn’t know how the cap works.
4. It’s more likely that Pelinka just wanted the Anthony Davis deal finished by any means necessary (i.e. he doesn’t get that done, fired immediately) and he’d figure out the rest later. Again, the Lakers still have a path to max salary cap space that doesn’t involve asking the Pelicans to wait until August 1. It’s shortsighted, sure. Not quite as incompetent as being a general manager who doesn’t understand the cap.