Dirk took a massive paycut and now looks stupid because of it.

Wade took one, and then Lebron left. Wade's never been the highest paid player on the Heat.

Duncan took a paycut and it worked out great, but that's an anomaly.

If you're a player - and these contracts are being handed out like they are today - fuck GMs and owners. Get that money. I see no reason a player, even on the downside of their career, should take a paycut as the centerpiece of a team.