Report: Hawks 'likely' to guarantee Pero Antic' 2014-15 salary
Non-guaranteed years on an NBA player's contract often seem like relative certainties, whether they be picked up or discarded. Sometimes, however, the salary cap situation of a team can cloud the picture.
The Atlanta Hawks face such a decision with rookie center Pero Antic entering the offseason, as Antic has a $1.25 million salary for 2014-15 that is fully unguaranteed. If he remains on the roster past July 15, it becomes fully guaranteed.
That price tag is more than fair for Antic' production, considering the 31-year-old averaged seven points and 4.2 rebounds in 50 games as a freshman.
However, the Hawks project as a team with ample cap space, such that every sliver could be the difference between securing a player and missing out on him. If the Hawks think they can use that extra wiggle room, they could always let Antic walk. At present, that looks unlikely.
Told the Hawks are "likely" to pick up team option on Pero Antic. #ATLHawks
— Chris Vivlamore (@ajchawks) May 7, 2014
The Hawks have Al Horford and Paul Millsap under contract for next season but don't have any other frontcourt players on guaranteed deals.
Antic is a useful piece, but not enough that the Hawks would forgo other acquisitions to keep him. That may not matter, however, as the July 15 guarantee date allows the Hawks a few weeks to figure out their offseason road map before making a decision.