The NBA Lockout

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Not a one time thing. It can be used by any team only once, but during any offseason during this CBA agreement. But only for contract that are in place as of today. Jazz, for example could waive Jefferson next offseason. Wizzards could sign a major FA this year, then waive Lewis next year and sign another.

Amnesty means that the players contract does not count against the cap or the tax. Teams also get to pay the player over a longer period of time--2 times the remaining contract term +1 year. IOW, when Orlando waives Arenas (3 years $62m) they will pay him his $62m over 7 years, rather than over the 3 if they don't waive him.

With the amnesty provision on the last CBA, was the waived player paid his remaining salary by the team waiving him, and then paid additional money by his next team? I can't remember how it was last time.

This time through, continuing with Arenas as an example, if he is waived and a new team signs him to a 1 year, $3 M deal, that clears $3 M from the responsibility Orlando has to him, and Arenas obviously doesn't make any more than he is owed on his current contract.

Makes the idea of waiving Memo or Miles or Bell for Utah seem more appealing since the possibility is there to not only get well under the tax/cap, but also to save money that is owed to whoever they waive, making it easier to utilize that cap space or the MLE.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Nice summary here from Larry Coon:

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/CBA-111128/how-new-nba-deal-compares-last-one

2011 CBA: Teams pay $1 for every $1 their salary is above the luxury-tax threshold in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Starting in 2012-13, teams pay an incremental tax that increases with every $5 million above the tax threshold ($1.50, $1.75, $2.50, $3.25, etc.). Teams that are repeat offenders (paying tax at least four out of the past five seasons) have a tax that is higher still -- $1 more at each increment ($2.50, $2.75, $3.50, $4.25, etc.).

I was somewhat surprised at how soft the tax changes were, staying the same for 2 years and then not having major penalties until a team was $15 M or so over the tax threshold. But that frequent tax payer provision will probably end up scaring some teams off. Not a team with a $3 billion TV deal, but probably most other teams.

[cougjunkie]

Looks like Jimmer will be paying a double tithe. 10% of the players paychecks (up 8% from the last CBA) will be held in escrow to make sure they meet the BRI limitations.

[Jacob]

With the amnesty provision on the last CBA, was the waived player paid his remaining salary by the team waiving him, and then paid additional money by his next team? I can't remember how it was last time.

This time through, continuing with Arenas as an example, if he is waived and a new team signs him to a 1 year, $3 M deal, that clears $3 M from the responsibility Orlando has to him, and Arenas obviously doesn't make any more than he is owed on his current contract.

Makes the idea of waiving Memo or Miles or Bell for Utah seem more appealing since the possibility is there to not only get well under the tax/cap, but also to save money that is owed to whoever they waive, making it easier to utilize that cap space or the MLE.

You are right, I believe, about last time the waiving team had to pay the full salary regardless of the player's future earnings. It makes sense that that is not the case this time as they have also set up an auction for the waived players. Only teams below the cap can bid. Highest bidder gets the player. This will prevent Vince Carter, for example, from playing for the Heat next year (as if he would make them better). If there are any good players waived right away, it would benefit the Jazz, for example, to waive a player to get below the salary cap to be eligible to bid. I don't think the player can refuse to play for the team that makes the highest bid.

For the record. I wouldn't get into any kind of bidding war for guys like Arenas, Carter, or Lewis. Even a cheap bidding war. OTOH, I wouldn't mind a Richard Hamilton on my team.

[Surfah]

One thing I am really looking forward to with the NBA lockout being over, T-Mobile girl.

[UtahJazzFan88]

One thing I am really looking forward to with the NBA lockout being over, T-Mobile girl.

Well said.