Re: guaranteed contracts

[Adam A Suchocki <Twilight@world.std.com>]

Actually, this question has been answered by several people during the
season.  The short answer is, if you cut a player, you still have to pay
him, and his salary counts against the cap.  If you trade a player and
agree to continue paying part of the players salary, the part you pay does
not count against the cap.  The full salary of the player counts against
the cap of the team you traded him to even if you are paying part of the
salary.

Again....

Cut a player, you still pay his salary and he still counts against your
salary cap (even if he signs with someone else (after clearing waivers))
This is what the Celtics did with Marty Conlon.  Phoenix is still paying
Marty over a million a year, and he still counts against the Suns salary.
Boston is paying him (in a seperate contract) league minimum, and that
counts against Bostons salary cap.

Adam


> Well, strictly speaking is this true? No one on this list has been able to
> answer the question of what happens if you simply let a player go. Yes, you
> have to pay him, but does that salary count against the cap? If not then it
> is simply a question of how much the management is willing to shell out to
> swallow past mistakes. I understand the Knicks did something similar in
> trading Charles Smith to the Spurs. They still pay part of Smith's salary
> even though he no longer contributes to their team. 
> 
> I would add that if I were Gaston et al. I wouldn't bother doing something
> this extreme right now, but it might be an option for the next few years.
> 
> -Marc 
>