Bill Simmons argues Scottie Barnes and Franz Wagner latest extensions of $225M are drastic overpays. Ryen Russilo comes in to make some good points saying cap is $140M now and going up at ~$10M/yr. So by year 5 of these contracts they amount each of the two will cost the team is just above 25% of the cap. Which is also less than the 30% max.

Orlando have to give Franz the money due to being a small market and retaining/attracting talent. Whether he deserves it, I don’t think he does, or not Magic had to pay him.

For Barnes, this is why I think Bill has lost it. A ROTY, a 3rd year all star averaging: 20/8.6/6.1 / 1.5 blks ans 1.3 stls. That is face of franchise stuff that you give 30% for. But old farts like Bill can’t factor in inflation and cap growth to understand smaller markets who aren’t Boston, LA, NY News to respect and pay their great players.

Bill Simmons doesn’t make sense sometimes, and as of late it’s been getting more frequent. Hope he watches the Raptors and Magic more carefully going forward.