Re: Salary cap FAQ and implications

[Elgin W Booth <ewbooth@hopper.unh.edu>]

I thought Pierce's contract was 4 years with a team option for a fifth.  I
believe that's how the new rookie contracts are structured. This would be
even better news than the 4 year deal.

On Sun, 21 Nov 1999, Alex Wang wrote:

> 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
>