Thunder's Strategic Offer Sheet Pushes Nuggets Into Second Apron
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Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti leveraged a restricted free agent offer to force Denver into severe CBA restrictions.
Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti executed a strategic maneuver that forced the Denver Nuggets into the NBA's restrictive second apron, according to Sports Illustrated.
The Thunder agreed to a two-year, $12 million offer sheet with Nuggets wing Spencer Jones, a restricted free agent. Reporting from ESPN's Shams Charania indicates that Denver chose to match the offer to retain the 25-year-old, who emerged as a key defensive piece last season.
While the move addressed a roster need for Oklahoma City, it created a financial crisis for Denver. Per Spotrac, the Nuggets are now $1.9 million over the second apron. Shams Charania reports that matching the Jones offer increased Denver's projected luxury tax penalties by $32 million.
By pushing Denver into the second apron, the Thunder have triggered a suite of severe roster limitations. As detailed by Sports Illustrated via CBAGuide.com and Spotrac, the Nuggets are now prohibited from:
* Taking on more salary in a trade than is sent out. * Acquiring players via sign-and-trade or through previously created trade exceptions. * Aggregating multiple contracts to acquire a single player with a higher salary. * Sending cash in trades.
Furthermore, Denver's first-round pick from seven years out is now frozen. If the team finishes above the second apron in two of four seasons, that pick slides to the end of the first round.
ESPN's Bobby Marks noted that had Denver not matched, they would have been limited to the veteran minimum to replace Jones. However, the match now complicates Denver's handling of another restricted free agent, Peyton Watson. Marks reports that if Watson plays out next season on a qualifying offer, Denver's luxury tax penalty would jump from $68 million to $112 million.