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To extend or not extend?

There hasn't been a ton of talk about Nikola Vucevic's and Tobias Harris' impending extension deadline. The talk I have read so far has leaned toward trying to get them on "cheap" deals and if not letting them go to RFA.

The issue I'm seeing now, is that the definition of "cheap" in the league is going to change in a big way in just a couple years. The new TV deal (plus the BRI clause in the CBA) means the Salary Cap is set to explode. Quoting TOm Ziller of SBnation: "Based on current NBA projections and the new TV deal, basketball-related income in 2016-17 could reach $6.7 billion. If that were the case and benefit costs remained relatively stable, the team salary cap would be about $94 million."

If that is the case, the Magic must try and extend Harris/Vucevic and not let them get to RFA next summer, when the salary cap increase is much closer in the eyes of the players and their agents.

So, how much should we offer them? What makes sense in this new market?

Well, if Vuc makes it to RFA, barring an injury or serious setback in his play this year he's going to get a Max offer. That would be crazy to do, barring a major improvement, under the old cap, but his max (I believe it would be ~14.5 million, please correct me if I'm wrong) would be a bargain for a starting center when you have another 80(!) million to fill out the rest of the roster in just a few years.

Tobias is in a similar boat. He may not get the Max like Vuc, but it will be a large number, possibly 10+ million a year.

My preference is getting Vuc into a long-term deal he's likely to sign now, and that will be a bargain in 2-3 years relative to the rest of the league. Something in the ballpark of 11-12 million a year. Tobias should be offered at least 7 a year, and upwards of 9.

Here's to hoping the Magic make the right call on these guys. It's a lot of money for non-stars, but in a few years non-stars may be making twice as much.

Let me know below what you think a fair value is for them, and whether they should be allowed to walk if they get Max offers.

This FanPost was made by a member of the Orlando Pinstriped Post community, and is to be treated as the opinions and views of its author, not that of the blogger or blog community as a whole.

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