I know its market value or whatever but at the end of the day the Cavs don't have to pay Tristan beyond this season. fukk Rich Paul, he's an agent and he knows this is business. It doesn't make sense to pay Tristan 9-11 mil when the salary for 2 of your main 3 stars is going up next season. That money would be better served elsewhere on the roster. Paul needs to do what's best for his client and if thats on another team next year, so be it.
Here's the dilemma.
You can't let him walk for nothing.
The Cavs are going to be maxed out with cap space regardless if he's here or gone going into the 2015-2016 season. Even if the salary cap jumps dramatically.
They can't outright sign any free agents that take considerable cap space for the foreseeable future unless it's with the mid-level, vet min, or bi-annual exception.
The ball is literally in LeBron's court. And Tristan is his guy. They will take care of him. I guess that it will be between $8-$11 million next summer.
We have his bird rights and can exceed the cap to retain him, Dion, Delly, Varejao, etc.
As long as they are winning Dan will foot the bill.
The only win/win here from our perspective as fans is if they are able to get that solid long term starting 5 next summer with that $10 million dollar Haywood expiring.