re: Do we think Gayle would pay the 1st lax line if we went over it,

Exacty. To be a true title contender I don’t see how you can’t be a tax team. Quality role players force you into the tax just as much as the stars. OKC is a once in a generation type club full of young guys on their rookie deals and they had a huge season but what about when the bil comes due on SGA, Williams, Chet, etc. They will pay SGA Williams and Chet but they are a notorious blow it up and start over team every 5 years it seems. They are loaded with draft picks too though so they are sitting in an envious situation.