Chis Bosh, Dwayne Wade and Lebron James...
Oh and Artest did it to play with the Lakers.
There is 4!
Exactly. And none of these guys *actually* gave up money. Which is the point you're making to begin with. And Wade/Lebron/Bosh didn't have to take much less than the max because it wasn't necessary, and it also wasn't even about the dollars of their respective deals. Either way, it unequivocally shows prime superstars will take LESS money.
That is the crux.
Crafty superstars in this day and age know what's what. There are playgrounds to make unprecented amounts of money and fame, that transcend anything else a simple Current CBA vs (potentially worse) Future CBA deal can even sniff.
Playing in major cities with good sports reputations and for quality teams, especially in a tandem with another superstar is the formula.
Not just for winning, but for winning with max swag and spotlight. And that ='s bonzo bucks.
Let's say the new cba had us give Melo 5M a year max. 5Mill.
Give me any team he magically can go to that is in the realm of possibility, and I can tell you precisely how he can, and will, make more money if he keeps the 5Mill.
Guys like Melo, Wade, Lebron...they are rich as **** and have many millions more coming irregardless.
They aren't good players hoping and looking to milk out that extra jump in pay to a bigger contract and lock down money that they actually perceive could be a "need" for them.
They might want the STATUS of getting the, or close to the, MAX offer -- which Melo would still get with a new CBA.
But these guys want BONZO bucks, and epic, legendary type of status and respect.
You only get that if you come into a spot like MIA...and really, above all places else, NYC.
If Melo comes to NYC he will get his choice of commercials, endorsements, tv/movie cameos, whatever he wants. And he will be doing it amongst a friend in a similar spot.
We've seen how powerful this formula is; and it has never been stronger than what it currently offers Melo.
