The NBA's new collective bargaining agreement has a few big provisions in it, but the biggest will be superstar salaries.
More than ever, the league is intent to do all it can to prevent star players from leaving their home team in free agency by sweetening the pot. None of this was possible before the league's new $24 billion television deal, but times have officially changed.
Superstar players who meet specific criteria are now eligible for enticing incentives that will make large contracts even bigger.
A team's designated player can sign a new deal that can allow 35% of the salary cap in year one of his deal. If that player signs with another team, he can only receive 30% of the salary cap max in year one.
One of the biggest free agents next season will be the Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.
He can sign a deal starting at $35.7 million just by re-signing with the Warriors or take a max deal of $30.6 million with another team. The difference between the new and old CBA's is that the salary isn't as negligible as it was before, and players will lose a significant amount of money by changing teams.
Certain teams could entice a player under the old deal because state taxes could make up the difference over the life of the contract.
Back to Curry, he would make only $5 million more the first season, but over the life of the deal, he would net $76 million more by staying.
Business Insider charted the calculations, and Curry's contract difference is astounding.
Curry can sign a deal for $207.4 million by remaining with the Warriors, or take $130.9 million if he leaves.
Both amounts are significant, however considering he has been on a bargain contract for the Warriors on his old deal, he will look to cash out.
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