theathletic.com/1710471/2020/10/14/hollinger-predicting-all-41-nba-player-and-team-options-for-2020-free-agency/
"(October update) Conley’s option is technically an Early Termination Option (ETO), not a player option – the only one this summer. Functionally, it’s the same thing. Between Conley’s scoring dip in Utah this season and a likely frigid market for veterans of any stripe, there seems virtually no chance that he passes up a number this large for the uncertainty of free agency.
But let me throw one wild card scenario out there: What if the Jazz and Conley agreed to a deal before he opted out, one that would pay him a lower dollar amount over a longer period? The Jazz could theoretically tack on three years and, say, $35-40 million (probably roughly what Conley could do as a 33-year-old free agent in 2021), but average it out over the four years including this coming one. In total, that deal would be four years and roughly $70-75 million, but would halve his 2020-21 cap number to about $17 million.
The Jazz could do a LOT with an extra $17 million below the tax line — it potentially allows them to re-sign Jordan Clarkson with Bird Rights, add another free agent with their full midlevel exception, use their biannual exception, and trade Ed Davis and one of their other fungible contracts for another player … all while staying below the tax. For a Utah team undone in the playoffs by a severe lack of quality depth, this path has to be somewhat tempting.
That makes it a fun scenario to ponder. I’d still bet against it happening, though. Verdict: Yes"
"(October update) Conley’s option is technically an Early Termination Option (ETO), not a player option – the only one this summer. Functionally, it’s the same thing. Between Conley’s scoring dip in Utah this season and a likely frigid market for veterans of any stripe, there seems virtually no chance that he passes up a number this large for the uncertainty of free agency.
But let me throw one wild card scenario out there: What if the Jazz and Conley agreed to a deal before he opted out, one that would pay him a lower dollar amount over a longer period? The Jazz could theoretically tack on three years and, say, $35-40 million (probably roughly what Conley could do as a 33-year-old free agent in 2021), but average it out over the four years including this coming one. In total, that deal would be four years and roughly $70-75 million, but would halve his 2020-21 cap number to about $17 million.
The Jazz could do a LOT with an extra $17 million below the tax line — it potentially allows them to re-sign Jordan Clarkson with Bird Rights, add another free agent with their full midlevel exception, use their biannual exception, and trade Ed Davis and one of their other fungible contracts for another player … all while staying below the tax. For a Utah team undone in the playoffs by a severe lack of quality depth, this path has to be somewhat tempting.
That makes it a fun scenario to ponder. I’d still bet against it happening, though. Verdict: Yes"
