Salary cap FAQ and implications

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

A FAQ for the NBA salary cap is at 
  http://www.members.home.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm

It is helpful reading when you are thinking about potential player
movement. Here are some of the implications for the Celtics:

1. Adrian Griffin is signed to a two year deal with the second year
at the team option. Pitino will surely exercise this. At the end
of the second year, Griffin is eligible for the "Early Bird" exception
for a contract for between 2-6 years at the average salary of the
league. As another option, he could sign for another year at a small
salary, or the $2M exception, and then be eligible for the full Bird
exception.
   In any case, there's really very little chance that we will lose
Griffin to another team. The Early Bird exception exceeds the $2M 
exception, and very few free agents get offered more than the $2M
exception. Even if Griffin would get a better offer, Pitino can
tell him, wait a year and we will beat what they offer you. 

2. Paul Pierce is signed under the new rookie contract which is a
three year deal with a fourth year at the team option. Again, Pitino
will surely exercise this (the team decides at the end of this year).
By having his option exercised, Pierce becomes eligible to receive 
an extension after his third year (in 2001) which will kick in after
his fourth year. Even if the Celtics decided not to extend his 
contract, they still hold right of first refusal. But Pierce is
such a good player that I expect the Celtics to offer a six-year
extension at the maximum at the earliest opportunity.

3. This isn't really an implication of the salary cap, but Danny
Fortson is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. 
The Celtics can beat any competing offers financially but if the
Celtics don't start Fortson, another team might be able to entice
him with a starting role and more playing team. On that basis
alone, I would start Fortson when he returns and move Griffin
to sixth man. Griffin would likely still play over 30 minutes
under this scenario, and I think that he is humble and team
oriented enough that he would have no complaints.
   
Alex
Alex