http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13412500p-14253750c.html
NBA beat: For some, amnesty is welcome
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, August 14, 2005
Now would be a pretty good time to be Michael Finley.
Or Brian Grant.
Or Doug Christie.
Or anyone who has been or is about to be cut loose but still is assured of hefty millions pouring into his bank account for years to come from his former employer.
The coveted castoff is liberated and free to sign with another team to cash in even more.
The NBA life: Can't beat it. A league in which one team's trash truly becomes another team's affordable treasure.
The so-called "Amnesty Rule" came out of the collective bargaining agreement in which both sides were declared winners. The owners can utilize a one-time player cut to avoid paying a dollar-for-dollar luxury tax. Franchises still would be obligated to pay his salary, which would still count against the cap, but the rule still affords flexibility.
For the player? Pure gold, this sort of news.
The amnesty deadline for NBA clubs is Monday, with a flurry of cuts and pursuits sure to happen.
Upon closer inspection:
Finley: The Dallas Mavericks could jettison Finley and save $51.8 million in overall luxury tax over the three remaining years of his deal in what would be a clear sign that club owner Mark Cuban wants to cut costs.
Finley, a marvelous shooting guard who has slipped, would be in high demand. He could wind up in Miami to help provide range for a team on the cusp of the NBA Finals.
Or he could end up in Phoenix, where the Suns could at least soften the sting of losing shooters Quentin Richardson (traded to New York) and likely Joe Johnson (still in trade limbo with the Atlanta Hawks). Finley could become a starter and could be reunited with Steve Nash (and wouldn't Cuban just shriek if the Suns eliminated the Mavs in the playoffs?).
Grant: The former Kings first-rounder is available after the Lakers showed him the door. He'll collect nearly $30 million from Los Angeles, and he'll likely land somewhere to boost a team in dire need of interior toughness and rebounding. Grant's best days are behind him, clearly, as he has a bad back and sore knees, but he's not a bad banger to have off the bench.
Derek Anderson: He was the first player waived under the clause, by Portland. The guard will collect nearly $19 million from the Blazers and could wind up with the Lakers, since coach Phil Jackson likes big guards.
Christie: The former Kings defensive ace could wind up in Dallas, according to his agent, Bradley Marshall, since the Orlando Magic used amnesty to save $8 million in tax. If he lands in Texas, he would in effect replace Finley - defense for scoring - provided Christie's foot injuries no longer trouble him. (If he does go to the Mavs, it would come as something of a surprise, since Christie has said before that he'd prefer to end his career in his native Seattle.)
Allan Houston: One of the worst career-contract signings ever, the Knicks guard can't pry himself from the ice bags with knees so bad he creaks when he walks. He's on the books to earn $19.1 million in 2005-06, his salary tied with Chris Webber's in ranking second to Shaquille O'Neal's. The Knicks have an absurd team salary of $109 million with a ton of damaged goods. The new luxury tax threshold is $61.7 million, meaning the Knicks are slightly over budget. Houston refuses to retire, but he may not last more than 30 games a year now, if his recent non-activity is any indication. Still, shooters are cherished in this league.
Jalen Rose: The Toronto guard still has game, but he's also armed with a monstrous contract with two years and $32.5 million remaining. The Raptors aren't going anywhere with or without him, so maybe he gets the boot. With his size and skills, Rose will garner free-agent attention, and, at this point, he'd probably prefer a change rather than return to the mess in Toronto.
The Hawks' dilemma
Amazing that these sorts of inner feuds haven't happened before with all the major-money trades.
Atlanta has been trying to land a name free agent for years and thought it had one in Johnson of Phoenix in a sign-and-trade maneuver.
But the deal hit a snag because one of the team owners, Steve Belkin, won't sign off on the package. He doesn't want to give up two first-round picks, second-year guard Boris Diaw and a $4.9 million trade exception for Johnson. Belkin is the team's NBA governor, and NBA rules stipulate that the team governor must endorse moves.
So, there's a tug-of-war within a franchise that can't draw fans and sputtered and wheezed to the finish line with the worst record in the NBA last season.
The Hawks' other owners were finally able to get Belkin's trade clout removed when a Boston judge on Friday eliminated the obstacle to Belkin's removal.
Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Allan van Gestel earlier in the week had issued an injunction preventing the move, then Friday removed it.
After the injunction was issued, the bad-blood highlight of the week was when Hawks general manager Billy Knight refused to shake Belkin's hand in the courthouse.
Meanwhile, in Phoenix
The Suns twist in the sun. This is a franchise with players and coaches who want to keep Johnson but an ownership group that doesn't. And would management possibly want Johnson back after the guard said he didn't want to play fourth fiddle behind Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion?
What happens with this trade affects the Western Conference greatly.
B-Jax ideas in Memphis
Bobby Jackson will have point guard starting competition in Damon Stoudamire, the longtime starter in Portland who signed as a Grizzlies free agent.
"I've always felt like I had starter-like qualities," Jackson told Memphis media. "I'm just happy to be in a situation where I might be able to start. If I don't, I'll come off the bench and play hard.
"It's a new beginning for me. It's a great place to come and resurrect my career, get back to Bobby Jackson basketball."
Said Grizzlies GM Jerry West: "Bobby is not only a talented player and a great competitor, but he is an individual of tremendous character. He will be a veteran leader and an explosive scorer."
Baseline jumpers
* Memphis GM Jerry West on the Grizzlies' summer moves, including bringing in Bobby Jackson, Eddie Jones and Damon Stoudamire: "If this does not work out, it's my fault."
* The Kings' new starting lineup of Mike Bibby, Bonzi Wells, Peja Stojakovic, Brad Miller and Shareef Abdur-Rahim is one of the best in the league.
* Abdur-Rahim's first name means "noble," and his last name means "servant of the most merciful one."
* Willie Green reports he's able to run and grab the rim again, weeks after hurting his knee in a pickup game. He has lucrative a free-agent extension from Philadelphia on the table but still hasn't signed it.
* One year after the Shaquille O'Neal trade, the Lakers have only Lamar Odom to show for it. More lopsided than ever.
* Miami president Pat Riley on Jason Williams: "I don't think we've had a guard here since Tim Hardaway that has these kinds of skills. He's as skilled a point guard as there is in the NBA."
* Does the signing of European star Sarunas Jasikevicius in Indianapolis spell the end for Anthony Johnson, the former Kings guard who started 36 games for the Pacers last season? Club boss Larry Bird says no, for now. * Sam Cassell got what many think he deserved by being traded to the Clippers. Minnesota, by all accounts, was glad to see the malcontent go.
The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at (916) 321-1280 or jdavidson@sacbee.com.
NBA beat: For some, amnesty is welcome
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, August 14, 2005
Now would be a pretty good time to be Michael Finley.
Or Brian Grant.
Or Doug Christie.
Or anyone who has been or is about to be cut loose but still is assured of hefty millions pouring into his bank account for years to come from his former employer.
The coveted castoff is liberated and free to sign with another team to cash in even more.
The NBA life: Can't beat it. A league in which one team's trash truly becomes another team's affordable treasure.
The so-called "Amnesty Rule" came out of the collective bargaining agreement in which both sides were declared winners. The owners can utilize a one-time player cut to avoid paying a dollar-for-dollar luxury tax. Franchises still would be obligated to pay his salary, which would still count against the cap, but the rule still affords flexibility.
For the player? Pure gold, this sort of news.
The amnesty deadline for NBA clubs is Monday, with a flurry of cuts and pursuits sure to happen.
Upon closer inspection:
Finley: The Dallas Mavericks could jettison Finley and save $51.8 million in overall luxury tax over the three remaining years of his deal in what would be a clear sign that club owner Mark Cuban wants to cut costs.
Finley, a marvelous shooting guard who has slipped, would be in high demand. He could wind up in Miami to help provide range for a team on the cusp of the NBA Finals.
Or he could end up in Phoenix, where the Suns could at least soften the sting of losing shooters Quentin Richardson (traded to New York) and likely Joe Johnson (still in trade limbo with the Atlanta Hawks). Finley could become a starter and could be reunited with Steve Nash (and wouldn't Cuban just shriek if the Suns eliminated the Mavs in the playoffs?).
Grant: The former Kings first-rounder is available after the Lakers showed him the door. He'll collect nearly $30 million from Los Angeles, and he'll likely land somewhere to boost a team in dire need of interior toughness and rebounding. Grant's best days are behind him, clearly, as he has a bad back and sore knees, but he's not a bad banger to have off the bench.
Derek Anderson: He was the first player waived under the clause, by Portland. The guard will collect nearly $19 million from the Blazers and could wind up with the Lakers, since coach Phil Jackson likes big guards.
Christie: The former Kings defensive ace could wind up in Dallas, according to his agent, Bradley Marshall, since the Orlando Magic used amnesty to save $8 million in tax. If he lands in Texas, he would in effect replace Finley - defense for scoring - provided Christie's foot injuries no longer trouble him. (If he does go to the Mavs, it would come as something of a surprise, since Christie has said before that he'd prefer to end his career in his native Seattle.)
Allan Houston: One of the worst career-contract signings ever, the Knicks guard can't pry himself from the ice bags with knees so bad he creaks when he walks. He's on the books to earn $19.1 million in 2005-06, his salary tied with Chris Webber's in ranking second to Shaquille O'Neal's. The Knicks have an absurd team salary of $109 million with a ton of damaged goods. The new luxury tax threshold is $61.7 million, meaning the Knicks are slightly over budget. Houston refuses to retire, but he may not last more than 30 games a year now, if his recent non-activity is any indication. Still, shooters are cherished in this league.
Jalen Rose: The Toronto guard still has game, but he's also armed with a monstrous contract with two years and $32.5 million remaining. The Raptors aren't going anywhere with or without him, so maybe he gets the boot. With his size and skills, Rose will garner free-agent attention, and, at this point, he'd probably prefer a change rather than return to the mess in Toronto.
The Hawks' dilemma
Amazing that these sorts of inner feuds haven't happened before with all the major-money trades.
Atlanta has been trying to land a name free agent for years and thought it had one in Johnson of Phoenix in a sign-and-trade maneuver.
But the deal hit a snag because one of the team owners, Steve Belkin, won't sign off on the package. He doesn't want to give up two first-round picks, second-year guard Boris Diaw and a $4.9 million trade exception for Johnson. Belkin is the team's NBA governor, and NBA rules stipulate that the team governor must endorse moves.
So, there's a tug-of-war within a franchise that can't draw fans and sputtered and wheezed to the finish line with the worst record in the NBA last season.
The Hawks' other owners were finally able to get Belkin's trade clout removed when a Boston judge on Friday eliminated the obstacle to Belkin's removal.
Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Allan van Gestel earlier in the week had issued an injunction preventing the move, then Friday removed it.
After the injunction was issued, the bad-blood highlight of the week was when Hawks general manager Billy Knight refused to shake Belkin's hand in the courthouse.
Meanwhile, in Phoenix
The Suns twist in the sun. This is a franchise with players and coaches who want to keep Johnson but an ownership group that doesn't. And would management possibly want Johnson back after the guard said he didn't want to play fourth fiddle behind Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion?
What happens with this trade affects the Western Conference greatly.
B-Jax ideas in Memphis
Bobby Jackson will have point guard starting competition in Damon Stoudamire, the longtime starter in Portland who signed as a Grizzlies free agent.
"I've always felt like I had starter-like qualities," Jackson told Memphis media. "I'm just happy to be in a situation where I might be able to start. If I don't, I'll come off the bench and play hard.
"It's a new beginning for me. It's a great place to come and resurrect my career, get back to Bobby Jackson basketball."
Said Grizzlies GM Jerry West: "Bobby is not only a talented player and a great competitor, but he is an individual of tremendous character. He will be a veteran leader and an explosive scorer."
Baseline jumpers
* Memphis GM Jerry West on the Grizzlies' summer moves, including bringing in Bobby Jackson, Eddie Jones and Damon Stoudamire: "If this does not work out, it's my fault."
* The Kings' new starting lineup of Mike Bibby, Bonzi Wells, Peja Stojakovic, Brad Miller and Shareef Abdur-Rahim is one of the best in the league.
* Abdur-Rahim's first name means "noble," and his last name means "servant of the most merciful one."
* Willie Green reports he's able to run and grab the rim again, weeks after hurting his knee in a pickup game. He has lucrative a free-agent extension from Philadelphia on the table but still hasn't signed it.
* One year after the Shaquille O'Neal trade, the Lakers have only Lamar Odom to show for it. More lopsided than ever.
* Miami president Pat Riley on Jason Williams: "I don't think we've had a guard here since Tim Hardaway that has these kinds of skills. He's as skilled a point guard as there is in the NBA."
* Does the signing of European star Sarunas Jasikevicius in Indianapolis spell the end for Anthony Johnson, the former Kings guard who started 36 games for the Pacers last season? Club boss Larry Bird says no, for now. * Sam Cassell got what many think he deserved by being traded to the Clippers. Minnesota, by all accounts, was glad to see the malcontent go.
The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at (916) 321-1280 or jdavidson@sacbee.com.
