Over the Apron

What the league actually did

Aug 26
NOPBennedict Mathurin signs with New Orleans PelicansAug 26LegalRuling
Real moves
Filed Aug 26
NOP

Bennedict Mathurin signs with New Orleans Pelicans

2 years · $16.0M · $7.8M in 2026-27

Legal signing
NOPNew Orleans Pelicanssigns
Bennedict Mathurin2 yr · $16.0M · $7.8M year one
Why it works
  • ✓NOP can pay $7.8M in year one — Non-Tax MLE
  • ✓NOP moves from $198.3M (over cap) to $206.2M (taxpayer)
What it does to our win estimate
NOP32→32±0
Ruled by the same engine the trade machine uses.New Orleans Pelicans’ sheet →
GSWGeorges Niang signs with Golden State WarriorsAug 26LegalRuling
Real moves
Filed Aug 26
GSW

Georges Niang signs with Golden State Warriors

1 year · $3.9M · $2.4M in 2026-27

Legal signing
GSWGolden State Warriorssigns
Georges Niang1 yr · $3.9M · $2.4M year one
Why it works
  • ✓GSW can pay $2.4M in year one — Minimum
  • ✓GSW moves from $218.4M (first apron) to $220.8M (first apron)
  • ✓Fits under the $221.7M hard cap from De'Anthony Melton’s taxpayer mid-level with $0.8M to spare
What it does to our win estimate
GSW45→45±0
Ruled by the same engine the trade machine uses.Golden State Warriors’ sheet →
GSWBrandon Williams signs with Golden State WarriorsAug 25LegalGSW +1 winsRuling
Real moves
Filed Aug 25
GSW

Brandon Williams signs with Golden State Warriors

1 year · $2.6M · $2.4M in 2026-27

Legal signing
GSWGolden State Warriorssigns
Brandon Williams1 yr · $2.6M · $2.4M year one
Why it works
  • ✓GSW can pay $2.4M in year one — Minimum
  • ✓GSW moves from $215.9M (first apron) to $218.4M (first apron)
  • ✓Fits under the $221.7M hard cap from De'Anthony Melton’s taxpayer mid-level with $3.3M to spare
What it does to our win estimate
GSW44→45+1
Ruled by the same engine the trade machine uses.Golden State Warriors’ sheet →
Over the Apron — NBA Offseason, Simplified