| Sign Up | Google+

The salary-cap implications of the Jordan Crawford trade

Stay connected for news and updates

Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

What does the Jordan Crawford trade mean for the Wizards' future salary-cap number? We break down the numbers.

For those wondering, here are the salary-cap implications of Thursday's deal that sent Jordan Crawford to the Boston Celtics for Leandro Barbosa and Jason Collins:

THIS SEASON

The Wizards are actually adding a little bit of salary this year, though the final number may change if Barbosa and Collins accept buyouts. Crawford is making just under $1.2 million this season, whereas Barbosa and Collins were both making just over $850,000, the veteran's minumim. Combined, the Wizards will actually add about $500,000 to their books this year, pro-rated over the rest of the season.

Again, that number may change if the Wizards agree to a buyout with either player. Regardless, the Wizards will not save or add significant salary this season with the trade.

NEXT SEASON

About the only possible benefit to this deal: the Wizards will save some money off next year's payroll. Crawford was expected to make just under $2.2 million next season, whereas both Collins and Barbosa are expiring contracts.

But how much will this actually impact player movement? The Wizards were slated to pay out about $59.6 million to 10 players next year prior to the trade. (They also owe Andray Blatche $7.8 million after letting him go via the amnesty clause, but this does not count on their cap or for luxury-tax purposes). Without Crawford's salary, that drops to $57.4 million. Those numbers assume that Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza do not exercise early-termination clauses and become free agents -- the two are slated to make $14.5 million and $7.7 million next season.

Is that difference significant? This year's salary cap came in at around $58 million, so the Wizards won't be getting any real cap space out of this move. They will potentially receive some more wiggle room to use the mid-level exception without worrying about the luxury tax, but they were slated to be comfortably under the line anyway. The Wizards don't pick up any additional trade exceptions beyond the $1.8 million one they already have, which expires right before next year's draft.

So ... it's something, but it's not a whole lot.

(Salary data via HoopsHype and the ESPN Trade Machine).

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Stay connected for news and updates

In This StoryStream

There are 36 Comments. Load Now. Loading

Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.

C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read

R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next

Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read

Comment Settings

Live comment alert: Hide it!

Comments for this post are closed.

tracking_pixel_5351_tracker