On July 1st, after the free market opened, five-time champion center O'Neal held a press conference to announce his retirement.
Tyronn Lue, Sagana Diop, Marion, and Hill's contracts expired, and the Bobcats immediately gave up various extensions that would occupy space.
They gave a qualifying offer to Millsap, whose rookie contract expired, retained Perkins' bird rights, maximized space clearance, leaving only the big contracts for the three young players and rookie contracts, as well as space occupied by the bird rights of Millsap and Perkins, bringing the total salary down to 51.67 million.
The league's announced latest salary cap decreased slightly less than expected, dropping to 60.79 million.
The Lakers-Mavericks showdown, Lakers-Bulls showdown, the MVP battle between Nowitzki and Nash, the Eastern Bobcats' second round and East Final, the Bobcats' and Lakers' finals... the playoff revenue was higher than previously expected.
