The numbers behind the future for Wade, LeBron, Bosh
Here's how the largest projected reduction in the NBA's 2010-11 salary cap -- to $50.4 million -- could cost LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh between $2.7 million and $5.2 million over the next four years if they opt out next summer and sign a new contract instead of signing an extension with their current teams this summer.
Scenario #1: Signing an extension this summer The collective bargaining agreement calls for players signing extensions to receive annual raises equaling 110.5 percent of their previous year's salary. (In the case of a max deal, as these would be, they'd be eligible for 30 percent of the cap -- but 30 percent of a reduced cap is less than the 10.5 percent raise.) With two years left on their current contracts, James, Wade, and Bosh are eligible for three-year extensions this summer. (While the maximum contract length is six years, that only applies to Bird free agents and players on rookie-scale contracts.) With a $1.8 million raise each year after their $17.15 million salaries for 2010-11, the Big Three would each make $79.4 million over the next four years.
'10-'11: $17.15M (per current deal)'11-'12: $18.95M
'12-'13: $20.75M
'13-'14: $22.55M
Next four years starting in 2010-11: $79.4 million
Total value of extension: Three years, $62.25 million
• Berger: Revised 2010 scenarios
Scenario #2: Opting out next summer and re-signing with current team By opting out and becoming unrestricted free agents on July 1, 2010, the Big Three would be eligible to make 30 percent of the cap in the first year of a six-year deal -- by virtue of having completed seven years of service. However, the CBA calls for the first year of a new contract to be worth as much as A) a percentage of the cap based on years of service, B) a 5 percent raise over the player's previous salary, or C) $11 million, whichever is greater. If the cap falls as low as $50.4 million in 2010-11, the 5 percent raise would apply in the first year with 10.5 percent added to each subsequent year if they re-sign with their own teams.
'10-'11: $16.57M'11-'12: $18.31M
'12-'13: $20.05M
'13-'14: $21.79M
'14-'15: $23.53M
'15-'16: $25.27M
Next four years starting in 2010-11: $76.72 million
Total Value: Six years, $125.52 million
Scenario #3: Opting out next summer and signing with a new team In this scenario, the players would get a 5 percent raise in the first year and 8 percent of that added to each subsequent year for a maximum of five years.
'10-'11: $16.57M'11-'12: $17.90M
'12-'13: $19.22M
'13-'14: $20.55M
'15-'16: $21.87M
Next four years starting in 2010-11: $74.24 million Total Value: Five years, $96.11 million
