Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
We took on $24M in salaries (Biedrins, RJ and Rush). Also, one of those picks was added by Denver to get us to sign and trade Foye, so 4 picks from GS. So we take on about 1/8th of the salary. Again, though, you have to consider supply and demand. There are multiple teams with cap space. Last year we were the ONLY team able to absorb $24M. GS had a real need; Iggy was there for the taking and they HAD to clear space. Toronto doesn't really need to clear Novak off their books.Then give us two seconds. One second isn't enough. For his first seven years Novak was getting paid less than $1,000,000 each season.
How much can a second round pick be bought for?
Also, you make it sound like we only got one first round pick from GS. We received 5 draft picks and cash considerations - two unprotected firsts and three seconds.
Another way to look at it is we got the 1sts for clearing the albatross contracts of Biedrins and RJ ($11M and $9M) and seconds for Rush and Foye. OK, we also got cash and an additional 2nd. Highly motivate seller: had to get the deal done immediately!
Now, assume 'Melo wants to sign with Houston or Lebron with Cleveland. Those teams HAVE to clear cap space and may give up a 1st to do so (contracts of Jack and Lin).