Glad the lockout is over (assuming we got what we needed)

[carpanfan96]

On a side note, this lockout screwed the Nuggets. They've lost Chandler, Martin and Smith to overseas contracts for the majority of the season. They were all FA's, but I expected two of the three to return to Denver.

[RedMage138]

Yeah it has to be Diop.

Unfortunately. I hate player options. I'd much rather shed Maggette but at least he has some hope of being productive even if he still isn't worth the 11 mil we're going to be paying him.

[carpanfan96]

Unfortunately. I hate player options. I'd much rather shed Maggette but at least he has some hope of being productive even if he still isn't worth the 11 mil we're going to be paying him.

Damn, I completely forgot about Maggette, not only would he knock out more space this season, but also for the next couple of seasons. I doubt it will be him though, I think the team is looking at him to be the veteran leadership and scorer on the team.

[RedMage138]

Damn, I completely forgot about Maggette, not only would he knock out more space this season, but also for the next couple of seasons. I doubt it will be him though, I think the team is looking at him to be the veteran leadership and scorer on the team.

That's what I was saying, plus Diop has a 7.3 mil player option for next year.

[HeatCheck]

That's what I was saying, plus Diop has a 7.3 mil player option for next year.

Which he undobutedly would take. So he'd be here for 2 years as well.

Like you said, Corey Maggette isn't worth the money but at least he'll be somewhat productive. More bang for your buck.

[carpanfan96]

A more complete picture of the CBA deal.

http://ken-berger.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/11838893/33514559

* Mid-level exception: For non-tax-paying teams, they're four-year deals starting at $5 million in the first two years, with the starting point increasing by 3 percent in subsequent years. Owners had been pushing for alternating 3- and 4-year deals for non-taxpayers. For tax-payers, the so-called "mini" mid-level will be for three years starting at $3 million in the first two years, with the starting point increasing 3 percent in subsequent years. This is an enhancement of the owners' previous offer of a two-year "mini" mid-level starting at $2.5 million.

Luxury tax rates: The same dollar-for-dollar as in the previous CBA for the first two years. Starting in Year 3, the rates increase to $1.50 for the first $5 million over; $1.75 for $5-$10 million over; $2.50 for $10-$15 million over; $3.25 for $15-$25 million over; and an additional 50 cents for each additional $5 million (same as previous proposal).

* Repeater Tax: A dollar-for-dollar additional tax for teams that are above the tax line for a fourth time in five years (same as previous proposal). Owners at one time had been pushing for a $1.50 repeater rate, while the players wanted 50 cents. Voila, compromise.

* Sign-and-trades: Available to all teams in the first two years of the agreement. Starting in Year 3, teams that are close to the tax line would only be able to acquire a free agent via a sign-and-trade transaction to the extent that it put the team no more than $4 million over the tax. The maximum length of such contracts will be four years with 4.5 percent annual increases. Previously, the owners had been seeking to eliminate sign-and-trades for all tax teams or teams that would exceed the tax after the transaction. This was a key issue for the players, and the more player-friendly definition of a tax-paying team also applies to use of the mid-level exception. So, if a team is $500,000 under the tax, it could use $4.5 million of the full mid-level. If a team already is over the tax, it would be restricted to the "mini" mid-level.

[thatlookseasy]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sam_amick/11/26/tentative.deal/index.html

14. Amnesty

Each team permitted to waive 1 player prior to any season of the CBA

(only for contracts in place at the inception of the CBA) and have 100% of

the player’s salary removed from team salary for Cap and Tax purposes.

Salary of amnestied players included for purposes of calculating players’

agreed-upon share of BRI.

A modified waiver process will be utilized for players waived pursuant to

the Amnesty rule, under which teams with Room under the Cap can

submit competing offers to assume some but not all of the player’s

remaining contract. If a player’s contract is claimed in this manner, the

remaining portion of the player’s salary will continue to be paid by the

team that waived him.

I dont think its a huge help to the Bobcats since you still have to pay 100% of the salary, but the waiver process could get interesting. Its basically free agency for all the amnestied players, and there are going to be some pretty big names available