So your logic is that Utah would somehow be able to conjure up enough extra cash for someone like Hayward to go “oh, the opportunity cost evens out here, so I’ll stay”?

why would the potential for media exposure and endorsements diminish in some alternative system? “all things being equal,” the Jazz STILL lose that battle to Miami or Boston. the only difference is Miami or Boston can and will afford to pay more for the privilege.

“with the vast majority of fans knowing their own teams have no chance.”

Trading one kind of non-parity (teams that tank and then literally win the lottery) for another (richest teams have best players) is not a solution. Stop pretending like it is. Maybe if someone manages to advance a tenable alternative to the existing system, the situation will improve.

I’m not sure I understand the logic behind this. Removing the salary cap might put more money in the hands of a top tier of players (whom you just said have no functional use for it), but it would also create a situation in which the “open market” of the league is dictated by a completely different market altogether,…

It’s just so easy for journalists like Mr. Schreier to trot out the term “conspiracy theory” in order to immediately dismiss potentially legitimate concerns.