Loophole?

[bob miller <bob@mymenus.com>]

The following is from another newsgroup, talking about rookie Erick
Strickland of the Dallas Mavs:

"The down side is that he is a free agent this summer. Unless the Mavs find
a loophole or the NBA changes its rules, if the Mavs are over the cap this
summer (which they likely will be), the Mavs are limited to giving him
$264,000 (20% increase on $220,000) next season. Other teams will be able
to offer what ever they have under the cap or, if they are eligible (over
the cap, have already re-signed one of their own free agents, and didn't
use it last year), the $1,000,000 exception.

"There is talk that the NBA will create a work around that will allow teams
that find a talent signed to minimum to keep that player [and for those
gripping about this problem, remember that the league would prefer teams to
be under the cap], but such a thing would not likely be instituted this
summer [the Lakers are also going to face the same problem with Travis
Knight and Phoenix lost Chris Carr last season]. Don Nelson ask the league
to allow the $1 million exception to be allowed for use on a team's own
free agent, but the league is resisting. The good news is that Nelson
really wants to keep Strickland and, unlike past Mavs regimes, would be
willing manipulate the cap to do so. Strickland also would like to stay in
Dallas, but I'm sure he would go elsewhere for more money.

THE KICKER :) -->
"My favorite method about how to keep Erick is the Jim Durham loophole.
Durham [Mavs TV guy] suggested that the Mavs use the Minnesota pick to
draft Strickland and sign him to the 3 year rookie salary slot. Strickland
wasn't drafted last year and, from what I heard [I don't have the rules
myself], they couldn't find anywhere in the rule book prohibiting the
drafting of an undrafted player who has played in the NBA - thus it being a
loophole. Sure the NBA would protest such a thing (as they did with the
Chris Dudley loophole), but it would be so nice to see the Mavs finally
take advantage salary cap instead of the usual being screwed by it."

Probably can't be done, but creative thinking nonetheless: would this apply
to Mr. Wesley?