When you "cap out", you are restricted in how much you can spend to sign players. But signing players using any of these so-called exceptions still adds to your aggregate payroll.

So if you are over the lux. tax threshold, you are eligible for a smaller share. If you are under, you are entitled to a greater share.

I need to overhaul the #s, but I've been busy today. Suffice it to say, I'm pretty sure the Pistons will be under the tax # by a few million.