Reports out of Chicago are saying that a three-team trade is on the table for Kobe Bryant to approve within the next 48 hours. The trade includes the Bulls and Lakers and now also the Sacramento Kings. With Kings point guard Mike Bibby out six to ten weeks with a left thumb ligament injury and a roster of players either past their prime or vastly inexperienced, the Kings most likely are looking to shake up their roster.
The reports only mention Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Kobe Bryant, and Ron Artest as the primary members. So, I spent some time looking at possible three-way trades and here is the best that I could come up with:
Chicago gets: Kobe Bryant ($19,490,625) and Jordan Farmar ($1,009,560)
Sacramento gets: Ben Gordon ($4,881,669), Joakim Noah ($2,135,400), Viktor Khryapa ($1,928,598)
Los Angeles gets: Kirk Hinrich ($11,250,000), Ron Artest ($7,400,000), Adrian Griffin ($1,593,000), Chicago future first round pick.
With this trade the Bulls would automatically become a contender to win the championship. They would maintain a core of Luol Deng, Ben Wallace, Andres Nocioni, and add in Kobe Bryant. Role players such as Thabo Sefolosha and Joe Smith would also play a critical role. Although the Bulls currently constructed are a nice team that may compete for the Eastern conference title, this team post-Kobe trade would compete for the title. And as I always stress, each year your goal is exactly that -to compete for the championship.
In Sacramento and Los Angeles, this trade allows both teams to rebuild their roster without falling too hard. Sacramento gets another scorer to play next to Kevin Martin, another young big man in Noah, and cap flexiblity next season when Khryapa's contract expires. The Lakers acquire two starters and some flexibility for the future. Hinrich and Artest would team with Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom to create a nice core for the Lakers to build around.
Showing posts with label Viktor Khryapa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Viktor Khryapa. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Salary Cap 101
Blazers.com created a comprehensive FAQ concerning the NBA's salary cap several years ago.
This article can be found at:
http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Salary_Cap_101-147720-41.html
What is a salary cap?
The salary cap is simply a limit on the amount of money that NBA teams are allowed to pay their players. The salary cap varies from year-to-year as it is calculated as a percentage of the League's revenue from the previous season. If the League did not have a salary cap, the teams in larger markets with more revenue streams would have an even larger advantage over the smaller market clubs.
Has there always been a salary cap?
The League had a cap in the mid-1940s, but the modern NBA instituted a salary cap prior to the 1984-85 season, striving to level the playing field for all teams and to maintain competitive balance throughout the League. Prior to the salary cap, teams were allowed to spend whatever they desired on players. The salary cap that first year was $3.6 million. The 2004-05 salary cap was the highest in history, $43.87 million.
Does the NBA have a "soft" cap or a "hard" cap and what is the difference?
The NBA has a soft cap meaning there are certain significant exceptions that allow teams to exceed the salary cap in order to sign players. Having a soft cap also helps teams keep their current players. A hard cap would not allow teams to exceed the salary cap in any circumstance. The NFL has a hard cap with very limited exceptions.
What is the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)?
The CBA is a contract between the NBA and the Players Association that dictates the rules by which they operate. The current CBA, which is up at the end of this month, has been in effect since 1999. Both parties have been working on a new agreement since last year.
Are there exceptions to the salary cap and what are they?
Yes, there are several exceptions to the salary cap. These exceptions allow teams to sign players even if a team is over the cap. The exceptions are listed below:
Mid-Level Exception
A team is allowed to sign a player to a contract equal to the NBA average, even though the team is over the salary cap. The mid-level exception, which can be used each season, can be used on one player or split between many players. Contracts can be signed for up to six years. The mid-level exception last season was $4.9 million. Example: The Golden State Warriors signed guard Derek Fisher to a multi-year contract using the entire mid-level exception prior to the 2004-05 season.
$1 Million Exception
This exception, which was actually worth $1.6 million last season, cannot be used in consecutive seasons. The $1 million exception can also be split among more than one player. Example: The L.A. Lakers signed forward Karl Malone using the $1 million exception prior to the 2003-04 season.
Rookie Exception
Teams are allowed to sign their first round draft selections to rookie "scale" contracts even if the club is over the salary cap. Example: Even though the Trail Blazers were over the salary cap prior to the 2004-05 season, the team was allowed to sign both Sebastian Telfair and Viktor Khryapa to rookie contracts.
Larry Bird Exception
Free agents who qualify for this exception are called "qualifying veteran free agents" or "Bird Free Agents" and must have played under one or more contracts covering all of part of the three preceding seasons without changing teams as a free agent or being waived. If such a player is traded, his "Bird" rights transfer to his new team. The team holding the Bird rights can use this exception to sign him to a contract up to seven years in length with annual raises of up to 12.5%. If a first round draft pick finishes his three-year rookie scale contract (or four-year contract if the team exercises its option for a fourth season) the team will have full Bird rights. This exception is known as the Larry Bird Exception because the Boston Celtics were one of the first teams permitted to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own free agent. That free agent was Larry Bird. Example: Damon Stoudamire and Shareef Abdur-Rahim both qualify as Bird players.
Early Bird Exception
Free agents who qualify for this exception are called "early qualifying veteran free agents" after playing only two seasons without changing teams as a free agent or being waived. A team may use this exception to resign a player for 175% of his salary the previous season or the average player salary whichever is higher. Contracts using this exception can be between two and seven years with annual raises of up to 12.5%. Example: Joel Przybilla will qualify for this exception after the 2005-06 season. He signed a two-year deal with the Trail Blazers after completing his rookie scale contract, which he originally signed with Milwaukee and was later traded to the Atlanta Hawks.
Non-Bird Exception
Free Agents who qualify for this exception are called "non-qualifying free agents" meaning they do not qualify under either the Larry Bird Exception or the Early Bird Exception. Under this exception, teams can resign a player to a contract beginning at 120% of his salary the season before or 120% of the minimum salary whichever is higher. Contracts can be signed for up to six years with annual raises of up to 10%.
Can a team use more than one exception to sign a player?
No. Teams can specify which exception they would like to use, but teams cannot combine exceptions in order to sign a player.
What types of free agency does the CBA allow?
There are two types of free agents in the NBA; unrestricted and restricted. An unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any team while a restricted free agent is subject to his current team's Right of First Refusal. This means that the player can be signed to an offer sheet by another team, but his current club can match the offer and keep the player. For a first round draft pick, restricted free agency is only allowed after a team exercises its option for a fourth year and the team makes a Qualifying Offer at the Rookie scale amount after the fourth year is completed. For all other players to be a restricted free agent, he must be in his first three years in the NBA and his team must have made a Qualifying Offer for 125% of his previous season's salary, or the minimum salary plus $150,000, whichever is higher.
What is an offer sheet?
An offer sheet is at least a two-year contract offer to a restricted free agent. The original club has 15 days to match the offer or loses the player to the new team. Example: Prior to last season, the Trail Blazers signed Minnesota Timberwolves guard Trenton Hassell to an offer sheet. The T-wolves matched the offer and kept Hassell.
Does a team get compensated when they lose a free agent to another club?
No, the team just loses the player.
What is a rookie "scale" contract?
First round draft picks are slotted in salaries according to their draft position. The first pick receives more than the second pick, the second more than the third, and so on. Each contract is for three-years with a team option for a fourth season. For a fourth season, the team must exercise the option by October 31st following the second season.
What is a sign-and-trade?
Simply put, it is when a team signs one of its free agents and immediately trades that player to another team. A sign-and-trade is beneficial to both players and teams; the player receives more money than they might ordinarily get from a team they would like to play for while the trading club gets something in return for a free agent.
What are player and team options?
Player options give the player the right to invoke an option year while a team option allows the team that right. NBA contracts only allow for one option year and the option year salary cannot be lower than the previous year.
Are there salary restrictions for players?
Players have minimum and maximum salaries, based upon the amount of seasons a player has been in the NBA. The more years a player has played, the higher the salary.
How does the salary cap affect trades?
The total salaries of the players being traded must end up within 115% of each other plus $100,000. The NBA's salary cap is an amazingly complex piece of work that requires a ton of homework, and in some cases, a law degree. It's easy to understand why so few major trades actually take place. The cap restricts player movement, and is designed to give some measure of equality from the teams in the large markets to the teams in the smaller cities. Obviously, it has been successful, but challenges remain. If you've ever wondered why certain players, or teams, make the moves they do, or don't make any moves, it's helpful to educate yourself. If this were offered as course in college it would easily take more than one term to master the cap. Most fans don't have the time, the means, or the drive to full understand the inner workings of the legalities of everything in the NBA's salary structure. But, hopefully this has helped answer some of the basic questions.
This article can be found at:
http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Salary_Cap_101-147720-41.html
What is a salary cap?
The salary cap is simply a limit on the amount of money that NBA teams are allowed to pay their players. The salary cap varies from year-to-year as it is calculated as a percentage of the League's revenue from the previous season. If the League did not have a salary cap, the teams in larger markets with more revenue streams would have an even larger advantage over the smaller market clubs.
Has there always been a salary cap?
The League had a cap in the mid-1940s, but the modern NBA instituted a salary cap prior to the 1984-85 season, striving to level the playing field for all teams and to maintain competitive balance throughout the League. Prior to the salary cap, teams were allowed to spend whatever they desired on players. The salary cap that first year was $3.6 million. The 2004-05 salary cap was the highest in history, $43.87 million.
Does the NBA have a "soft" cap or a "hard" cap and what is the difference?
The NBA has a soft cap meaning there are certain significant exceptions that allow teams to exceed the salary cap in order to sign players. Having a soft cap also helps teams keep their current players. A hard cap would not allow teams to exceed the salary cap in any circumstance. The NFL has a hard cap with very limited exceptions.
What is the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)?
The CBA is a contract between the NBA and the Players Association that dictates the rules by which they operate. The current CBA, which is up at the end of this month, has been in effect since 1999. Both parties have been working on a new agreement since last year.
Are there exceptions to the salary cap and what are they?
Yes, there are several exceptions to the salary cap. These exceptions allow teams to sign players even if a team is over the cap. The exceptions are listed below:
Mid-Level Exception
A team is allowed to sign a player to a contract equal to the NBA average, even though the team is over the salary cap. The mid-level exception, which can be used each season, can be used on one player or split between many players. Contracts can be signed for up to six years. The mid-level exception last season was $4.9 million. Example: The Golden State Warriors signed guard Derek Fisher to a multi-year contract using the entire mid-level exception prior to the 2004-05 season.
$1 Million Exception
This exception, which was actually worth $1.6 million last season, cannot be used in consecutive seasons. The $1 million exception can also be split among more than one player. Example: The L.A. Lakers signed forward Karl Malone using the $1 million exception prior to the 2003-04 season.
Rookie Exception
Teams are allowed to sign their first round draft selections to rookie "scale" contracts even if the club is over the salary cap. Example: Even though the Trail Blazers were over the salary cap prior to the 2004-05 season, the team was allowed to sign both Sebastian Telfair and Viktor Khryapa to rookie contracts.
Larry Bird Exception
Free agents who qualify for this exception are called "qualifying veteran free agents" or "Bird Free Agents" and must have played under one or more contracts covering all of part of the three preceding seasons without changing teams as a free agent or being waived. If such a player is traded, his "Bird" rights transfer to his new team. The team holding the Bird rights can use this exception to sign him to a contract up to seven years in length with annual raises of up to 12.5%. If a first round draft pick finishes his three-year rookie scale contract (or four-year contract if the team exercises its option for a fourth season) the team will have full Bird rights. This exception is known as the Larry Bird Exception because the Boston Celtics were one of the first teams permitted to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own free agent. That free agent was Larry Bird. Example: Damon Stoudamire and Shareef Abdur-Rahim both qualify as Bird players.
Early Bird Exception
Free agents who qualify for this exception are called "early qualifying veteran free agents" after playing only two seasons without changing teams as a free agent or being waived. A team may use this exception to resign a player for 175% of his salary the previous season or the average player salary whichever is higher. Contracts using this exception can be between two and seven years with annual raises of up to 12.5%. Example: Joel Przybilla will qualify for this exception after the 2005-06 season. He signed a two-year deal with the Trail Blazers after completing his rookie scale contract, which he originally signed with Milwaukee and was later traded to the Atlanta Hawks.
Non-Bird Exception
Free Agents who qualify for this exception are called "non-qualifying free agents" meaning they do not qualify under either the Larry Bird Exception or the Early Bird Exception. Under this exception, teams can resign a player to a contract beginning at 120% of his salary the season before or 120% of the minimum salary whichever is higher. Contracts can be signed for up to six years with annual raises of up to 10%.
Can a team use more than one exception to sign a player?
No. Teams can specify which exception they would like to use, but teams cannot combine exceptions in order to sign a player.
What types of free agency does the CBA allow?
There are two types of free agents in the NBA; unrestricted and restricted. An unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any team while a restricted free agent is subject to his current team's Right of First Refusal. This means that the player can be signed to an offer sheet by another team, but his current club can match the offer and keep the player. For a first round draft pick, restricted free agency is only allowed after a team exercises its option for a fourth year and the team makes a Qualifying Offer at the Rookie scale amount after the fourth year is completed. For all other players to be a restricted free agent, he must be in his first three years in the NBA and his team must have made a Qualifying Offer for 125% of his previous season's salary, or the minimum salary plus $150,000, whichever is higher.
What is an offer sheet?
An offer sheet is at least a two-year contract offer to a restricted free agent. The original club has 15 days to match the offer or loses the player to the new team. Example: Prior to last season, the Trail Blazers signed Minnesota Timberwolves guard Trenton Hassell to an offer sheet. The T-wolves matched the offer and kept Hassell.
Does a team get compensated when they lose a free agent to another club?
No, the team just loses the player.
What is a rookie "scale" contract?
First round draft picks are slotted in salaries according to their draft position. The first pick receives more than the second pick, the second more than the third, and so on. Each contract is for three-years with a team option for a fourth season. For a fourth season, the team must exercise the option by October 31st following the second season.
What is a sign-and-trade?
Simply put, it is when a team signs one of its free agents and immediately trades that player to another team. A sign-and-trade is beneficial to both players and teams; the player receives more money than they might ordinarily get from a team they would like to play for while the trading club gets something in return for a free agent.
What are player and team options?
Player options give the player the right to invoke an option year while a team option allows the team that right. NBA contracts only allow for one option year and the option year salary cannot be lower than the previous year.
Are there salary restrictions for players?
Players have minimum and maximum salaries, based upon the amount of seasons a player has been in the NBA. The more years a player has played, the higher the salary.
How does the salary cap affect trades?
The total salaries of the players being traded must end up within 115% of each other plus $100,000. The NBA's salary cap is an amazingly complex piece of work that requires a ton of homework, and in some cases, a law degree. It's easy to understand why so few major trades actually take place. The cap restricts player movement, and is designed to give some measure of equality from the teams in the large markets to the teams in the smaller cities. Obviously, it has been successful, but challenges remain. If you've ever wondered why certain players, or teams, make the moves they do, or don't make any moves, it's helpful to educate yourself. If this were offered as course in college it would easily take more than one term to master the cap. Most fans don't have the time, the means, or the drive to full understand the inner workings of the legalities of everything in the NBA's salary structure. But, hopefully this has helped answer some of the basic questions.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Building of the 2006-07 Bulls
(Post originally written October 11, 2006)
After a 41-win season, the Chicago Bulls return only seven of the players that made up that teams roster. Guard Jannero Pargo (Hornets) and bigs Tyson Chandler (Hornets), Darius Songaila (Wizards), and Othella Harrington (Bobcats) are gone, replaced by Ben Wallace, P.J. Brown, Tyrus Thomas, and Thabo Sefolosha. This appears to make the Bulls just as deep, numbers-wise, but with a better collection of players. With Viktor Khryapa (who is already earning compliments from Bulls head coach Scott Skiles) and Adrian Griffin, both very useful players, replacing Eric Piatkowski and Eddie Basden at the end of the bench, Skiles will certainly have more depth to work with. If you consider the players added and those lost, the “added” definitely consists of much more talent.
Going:
Player Lost, 05-06 Contract, 06-07 Contract
Jannero Pargo 700k, 900k
Tyson Chandler, 4.8, 9.0
Darius Songaila, 1.6, 2.2
Othella Harrington, 3.2, 3.5
Eric Piatkowski, 2.8, 3.0
Eddie Basden, 400k, 600k
TOTALS $13.5 million, $19.2 million
Coming:
Player Added, 06-07 Salary
Thabo Sefolosha, 1.7
Viktor Khryapa, 1.2
Ben Wallace, 16.0
Adrian Griffin, 1.5
P.J. Brown, 8.0
Tyrus Thomas, 3.2
TOTAL $31.6 million
Although the total added players salaries is much higher, General Manager John Paxson was in position to do this because his team was significantly under the salary cap. Paxson put his team in this position because of key trades over the last two seasons (i.e. Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler, Jalen Rose).
After a 41-win season, the Chicago Bulls return only seven of the players that made up that teams roster. Guard Jannero Pargo (Hornets) and bigs Tyson Chandler (Hornets), Darius Songaila (Wizards), and Othella Harrington (Bobcats) are gone, replaced by Ben Wallace, P.J. Brown, Tyrus Thomas, and Thabo Sefolosha. This appears to make the Bulls just as deep, numbers-wise, but with a better collection of players. With Viktor Khryapa (who is already earning compliments from Bulls head coach Scott Skiles) and Adrian Griffin, both very useful players, replacing Eric Piatkowski and Eddie Basden at the end of the bench, Skiles will certainly have more depth to work with. If you consider the players added and those lost, the “added” definitely consists of much more talent.
Going:
Player Lost, 05-06 Contract, 06-07 Contract
Jannero Pargo 700k, 900k
Tyson Chandler, 4.8, 9.0
Darius Songaila, 1.6, 2.2
Othella Harrington, 3.2, 3.5
Eric Piatkowski, 2.8, 3.0
Eddie Basden, 400k, 600k
TOTALS $13.5 million, $19.2 million
Coming:
Player Added, 06-07 Salary
Thabo Sefolosha, 1.7
Viktor Khryapa, 1.2
Ben Wallace, 16.0
Adrian Griffin, 1.5
P.J. Brown, 8.0
Tyrus Thomas, 3.2
TOTAL $31.6 million
Although the total added players salaries is much higher, General Manager John Paxson was in position to do this because his team was significantly under the salary cap. Paxson put his team in this position because of key trades over the last two seasons (i.e. Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler, Jalen Rose).
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