New NBA contract includes luxury-tax dodge
Old, expensive players may get mobile
The National Basketball Association’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement will go into place today.
That is when free agents can officially sign those big contracts and teams can really start wheeling and dealing in preparation for the upcoming season.
One of the features of the new CBA that intrigues me is an one-year amnesty loophole that enables franchises to cut high-salaried veterans and save a ton of money under the league’s luxury tax. This one-time-only provision in the CBA could land some top veteran players in new places and strengthen some contending teams in the process. The balance of power in each conference could possibly shift with one of these moves.
The provision allows for teams to cut loose veteran players with high salaries who aren’t necessarily earning their big bucks. The team must still pay the remainder of the player’s contract, but they are relieved from paying the league’s luxury tax, which is one dollar for every dollar the team exceeds the league’s salary cap.
The player who is released can still collect his salary from Team A and then sign with Team B for a smaller salary. A few players who may fall under this category are Michael Finley of Dallas, Jalen Rose of Toronto, Allan Houston of New York, Brian Grant of Los Angeles and Austin Croshere of Indiana.
Imagine a contending team such as Phoenix, Detroit or Miami being able to pick up a still-productive player like Finley or Rose on the relative cheap. Phoenix has already been mentioned as a possible destination for Finley should Dallas release him. How about Jalen Rose showing up in his hometown of Detroit? That would solve the Pistons’ depth issues that ultimately cost them a second-consecutive world title.
This entire scenario bears watching. Teams have until Oct. 1 to decide what to do with such players.
The league also made it possible for teams to send at least two of its players to the National Basketball Developmental League for more seasoning. Ah, finally, we have some semblance of a minor league system for young players who have potential, but are not ready to become prime-time players.
At the NBA Draft on June 29, six of the nine high school players who entered the draft were selected in the second round. Being a second-round choice means no guaranteed contract and no guarantee of a roster spot. Now, if these kids can’t make the roster, they will get some valuable experience in the “D-League,” trying to get better while still being on the NBA’s dime.
Granted, high school players won’t be able to enter the draft out of high school anymore, there will still be many kids coming out of school before they are ready. Those players will have to do it the hard way, but there is a little more opportunity with a legitimate chance to develop in the minor leagues. Besides, baseball and hockey players have been following this route for ages. What’s wrong with young ballers following the same route of paying dues?
Up from Lithuania
One of the most interesting free agents out there is international star Sarunas Jasikevicius. The 6’4″ Lithuanian point guard has been a star in Europe since playing his collegiate ball at the University of Maryland. After college, Jasikevicius returned to Europe and became one of the top point guards in the world. The USA remembers him well from his performances against the Yanks in Olympic competition. Jasikevicius is now ready to join the NBA and he signed a three-year deal with the Indiana Pacers this week. He will share point guard duties with starter Jamaal Tinsley, which should be a great combination with Tinsley peretration and playmaking skills and Jasikevicius’ ability to shoot the deep shot and make plays.
David Lee does Vegas
St. Louisan David Lee enjoyed an impressive NBA debut with the New York Knicks in summer league action at the Reebok Las Vegas Summer League last week. The 6’9″ Lee averaged 12 points and six rebounds in six games at the Las Vegas Summer League. Lee enjoyed a high game of 19 points and eight rebounds. He was chosen to the All-Tournament Second Team.
Another local player getting some NBA run this summer has been former Hazelwood Central standout Jermaine Blackburn, who played with Seattle at the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake, City. The 6’7″ Blackburn just completed a successful two-year run at Boise State. He will join the Supersonics at training camp in the fall.
Old Faces in New Places
Here is a quick checklist of the top free agents who have changed addresses during the off-season.
Larry Hughes (left Washington to sign with Cleveland)
Shareef Abdur-Rahim (will leave Portland to sign with New Jersey)
Bobby Simmons (left Los Angeles Clippers to sign with Milwaukee)
Antonio Daniels (left Seattle to sign with Washington)
Stromile Swift (left Memphis to sign with Houston)
Keyon Dooling (left Miami to sign with Orlando)
Caron Butler (traded from Los Angeles Lakers to Washington for Kwame Brown).
