Thread by @TheCohencidence

🧵OK, I have a theory. I don't know if the Knicks will wind up able to do it, but the math checks out.

You know the report of a potential Reggie Bullock S&T? It's possible that it was for Jalen Brunson but I don't think it was. I think the Knicks are trying to create a TPE (1/9)

For those who don't know, a Traded Player Exception (TPE) is a way for over-the-cap teams to exceed the salary cap. Last year, Boston "traded" Gordon Hayward into Charlotte's cap space and received a big TPE. They could then absorb salary without needing trades to match (2/9)

The Mavs are signing Bullock to 3/$30.5M, which is very close to signing for a three-year MLE. The Mavs are also gaining a $10.8M TPE for dumping Richardson into Boston's TPE. Signing Bullock via the MLE would still give the Mavs their TPE to use over the next 365 days (3/9)

TPEs can only be used for trades and S&Ts. Thus, the Bullock S&T rumor. Dallas may prefer to S&T Bullock into their TPE and then spend the MLE on someone like Schroder or Jackson or any player they believe they can sign and help. #acronyms

However, there's an issue... (4/9)

The Richardson trade hasn't been made official yet, so the Mavs don't actually have their TPE to use. Bullock's salary could slide right into that TPE, but with the TPE being held up because no trade has been finalized, the Mavs are likely stuck. This leads us to the Knicks (5/9)

You can't keep a TPE if you're under the cap. The Knicks will no longer be under the cap now that they're signing Kemba Walker. But in order to sign Kemba, they have to clear Bullock's cap hold. This could render a S&T pointless, unless the Knicks can get a 2nd round pick (6/9)

Or, the Knicks could do something else. They could keep Bullock's cap hold on the books + dump Kevin Knox's salary elsewhere (OKC?).

Knox's salary = $5.85M
Bullock's cap hold = $5.46M

They're similar. Too similar. Then factor in that Knox won't see PT in NY? No brainer (7/9)