Knicks在决定是否match其它球队给小林的offer时,关键是看合同的第三年。根据NBA的规定,小林的新合同前两年最多只能是5和5.22MM;至于第三年以后的offer,they don't care too much because Melo and other two big guys will be off their payroll then. They can control their own spending. 比较蛋疼的是第三年,得付甜瓜、小厮和老钱的大合同,同时,联盟又要课重税。火箭给小林的第一份合同是四年28MM,具体到每一年是:5,5,9,9。Knicks很快就放话说会match,并且豪迈地喊出:they would match any offer up to 1 billion. 抹泪接着就抛出了最后的毒药:3年25MM,max the 3rd year。这两份合同的第三年差了6MM,有兴趣的同学可以算一下,豪华税会差多少。大概是20+MM。
至于Knicks和火箭在小林合同这件事情上的交锋,可以解读成Hellmuth(Knics)跟Esfandiari(Rockets)之间的一手heads up。
Esfandiari: bet on the river card (28MM for 4)
Hellmuth: re-raise (would match any offer up to 1B)
Esfandiari: thinks Hellmuth is bluffing and goes all in
Hellmuth: fold
后面Knicks攻击小林的做法就是典型的Hellmuth reaction after losing a huge hand. ;-)