I was wondering how much leeway we have with the rules governing the cap. In particular, I wanted to know if we could theoretically overpay one of our cheaper guys to help facilitate a sign and trade for another player that a team is looking to dump e.g. Joe Johnson, Lance Stephenson, etc.

For instance, a guy like Cole Aldrich has been with us for two years so I believe that we possess his Bird Rights. Would it then be possible to keep his qualifying offer of $1 or $2 million and when we hit the cap, throw $8 million his way to pair with Jose Calderon and filler to acquire Joe Johnson? If so, that could really help us re-stock this team. I know that the Mavericks did this to acquire Jason Kidd, using Keith Van Horn's contract and that the Nets did it with Keith Bogans to facilitate the KG-PP trade 2 seasons ago.

Would anyone happen to know of players on our team that could help accomplish this type of manuveur? And if so, what is the most we could possibly give them contractually?

Theoretically yes the Knicks could use his early bird rights to get Cole a deal starting at whatever the MLE is set at. Another option would be to use Quincy Acy or Bargs since the knicks have their full bird rights.

I would not trade for Joe Johnson at all and you wouldn't have to add salary if Calderon is used in a Stephenson trade.