DISCOUNT SHOPPER'S GUIDE TO FREE AGENCY

The Warriors maneuvered like crazy to land Andre Iguodala and sign him using cap space alone. However, if they could get the Denver Nuggets to agree to a Sign-and-Trade using the trade exceptions generated from the great salary dump to Utah Jazz, the Warriors would have a ton more flexibility and firepower when it comes to acquiring and paying free agents.

With a Sign-and-Trade, the Warriors gain the Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level Exception and a Bi-Annual Exception. But since they are not signing Iguodala via trade but instead with cap space generated by the salary dump, they are considered under the cap of $58.5 million and ineligible to receive the aforementioned exceptions of $5.150 million and $2.016 million.

The Warriors currently have only the 'Room Mid-Level Exception' and Vet Minimum Salaries to offer free agents since no Sign-and-Trade agreement with Denver has been reached.

Room MLE = $2.575 million

Minimum Salary
0 Years = $.490 million
1 Year = $.789 million
2 Years = $.884 million
3 Years = $.916 million
4 Years = $.948 million
5 Years = $1.027 million
6 Years = $1.107 million
7 Years = $1.186 million
8 Years = $1.266 million
9 Years = $1.272 million
10+ Years = $1.400 million

Bracing for the worst and assuming no Sign-and-Trade brings the Warriors any of the bigger Exceptions, this is how I would spend the money to fill out the roster...

Waive the non-guaranteed contracts of Scott Machado, Dwayne Jones, and Kevin Murphy (acquired from Jazz).
Stash Nedovic overseas for the 2013-14 season.

PG: Curry
SG: Thompson / Bazemore
SF: Iguodala / Barnes
PF: Lee / Green
C: Bogut / Ezeli

Sign Brandan Wright to 2-year contract (2nd year player option) using with Room MLE ($2.575M starting salary)

Sign Nate Robinson to 2-year contract (2nd year player option) using veterans minimum ($1.27M starting salary)

Sign Jermaine O'Neal to 1 year contract using veterans minimum ($1.4M)

Sign Austin Daye to 2-year contract (2nd year player option) using veterans minimum ($.948M starting salary)


Updated Roster (with 2 open slot)

PG: Curry / Robinson
SG: Thompson / Bazemore
SF: Iguodala / Barnes / Daye
PF: Lee / Wright / Green
C: Bogut / O'Neal / Ezeli

One of the open slots can be filled with a 3rd PG like Charles Jenkins. The last slot can be left open to fill as needed once the season progresses.