If the Jazz somehow manage to sign Hill to a flat 20 million dollar contract and Ingles at 10 million, they are still looking at the core of Hill/Hayward/Gobert/Ingles costing 86 million in 2018-2019.
I think the tax line for that year will be around 125 million (from an article in February).
Add in the only two other guaranteed contract atm for 2018-2019 (Lyles and Bolomboy) and the Jazz are at 91 million for 6 roster spots. (Keep in mind I'm assuming the Jazz have found a way to dump Burks, just because I have optimism). So the Jazz have a projected 34 million left in cap room for a maximum of 9 more roster spots (not counting 2-way contracts since that added cost is so minimal).
Let's assume the Jazz draft at picks 24 and 30 this year and sign those players. According to RealGM those the 24th pick will make 1.5 million in the 2nd year and the 30th pick will get paid 1.3 in the 2nd year. Let's just round up and say 3 million for those 2 plays so the Jazz now have 31 million left for a maximum of 7 more roster spots.
Now let's take a moment to project what the max for Hood and Exum will be in 2018-2019. They will both be eligible for 25% of the cap for their max. The cap is projected to be 103 million (someone correct me if I'm wrong). That means Exum and Hood will both be up for 25 million dollars a year, roughly, as their max. With only 31 million left (ofc the Jazz can go over the LT too, this isnt written in stone, but just being pragmatic) it becomes clear we can only keep one of Dante or Hood if they both show to be good players next year.
For fun, let's say the Jazz are able to re-up on Joe Johnson for 2 more years at 6 million a year. Now the Jazz are at 25 million for a maximum of 6 more roster spots. Let's say Exum has a promising year and get's a 12 million per year contract. We are now at 13 million left for a maximum of 5 roster spots.
Now let's say Hood has a good season with limited injuries and plays well in the playoffs. What does he get then? I'll keep it semi-conservative and say he gets 18 million a year. That puts the Jazz 5 million over the LT, which isnt a big deal really, but we still need 4 more roster spots. I guess these could be filled with some more rookies and vet minimums, but as I pointed out, this is all with optimistic outcomes on dumping Burks, re-signing JJ cheaply, resigning Hill at a good value, getting Ingles at a good value, keeping Exum at a good value, and no one maxing out Hood. Those things go wrong and the Jazz quickly end up really deep into the LT.
I just think dumping Hood at this point seems like a proactive choice, given the Jazz believe in Mitchell.
