The Brooklyn Nets' goal this offseason is to get under the NBA's salary cap. However, general manager Billy King concedes this may not be possible.
"The goal is to try to be under the tax," King told reporters Wednesday. "How realistic, it may not be, but that’s the goal. If we end up being over the tax, we went from $90 (million spent in the luxury tax) .. down to $17 (million). If we end up at $8 or $9 (million), then so be it."
A buyout of point guard Deron Williams' contract will not be part of that effort. King said the player will not be bought out or released using the NBA's stretch provision, confirming a report from last month.
Williams is owed about $43 million for the next two seasons, a deal that stands as the current gold standard of bad NBA contracts. The soon-to-be 31-year-old has regressed on the floor over the last three years, the bright spot being a stunning 35-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 of the first round of the playoffs.
Given those realities, it will difficult for the Nets to trade Williams, although King said that swaps in general will be something the team will look at this summer.
"To make a trade and bring back less in salary is a possibility," King said.
In the meantime, the Nets' stated priorities are to bring back center Brook Lopez and forward Thaddeus Young. Veteran swingman Joe Johnson, who is owed close to $25 million for next season, could be moved.
