Yes! Daily News: How the Players Got Killed

[Josh Ozersky <josh_ozersky@yahoo.com>]

How the Players Got Killed 


1. No More $100 Million Contracts. With the high-end salaries capped
at $14 million for players who have been in the NBA at least 10 years,
the days of the huge Kevin Garnett contract are over.

2. Rookie Contracts. The new agreement includes a three-year rookie
scale with teams holding an option for the fourth year and the right
of first refusal in the fifth year. First-round draft picks will be
grouped into three categories by where they were selected — 1-9, 10-19
and 20-29 — with the highest picks eligible for higher percentage
increases in their salaries from year to year.

3. Opt-outs. Players cannot opt out of contracts until after the fifth
year, and their teams still hold the right of first refusal after that
fifth season. Under the old agreement, players could opt out after
three years.

4. Heavy Restrictions on Free Agent Re-signings. Salaries of free
agents who re-sign with their teams are counted heavily against that
team's salary cap on a percentage basis that ranges from 200-300%
until that team re-signs them or renounces their rights.

5. No Grandfather Clauses. Players like Utah's Karl Malone, who was
expecting a $20 million a year deal by falling under the umbrella of
the previous collective bargaining agreement, won't be grandfathered
in under the new deal. His new contract cannot start at more than $14
million for the first year.

6. Sign-and-Trade Restrictions. Previously free agents could re-sign
with their teams for one year and then be traded. Now, players must be
signed to a minimum of three years before they can be traded.

7. Annual Raises. Players used to get 20% increases each year. Now
they'll get 12% raises.




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