Cap info on Nets-Philly

["hironaka@xxxxxxxxx"<hironaka@xxxxxxxxx>]

Here is some more cap info on the Nets-Philly trade:

-Nets saved $959,000 for the upcoming season.

-They are at $52,111,980 for 2002-03 with 13 guaranteed 
contracts. Hence they have less than 2 million to offer 
Rodney Rogers, should they wish to replace Van Horn's 
three-point shooting.

-Philly is at $53,564,055 with only 11 players signed. 
Unlike the Nets, they do need to add someone to get to 
12. But they can only offer 360k or so to an undrafted 
rookie, and even then its a gamble on where the luxury 
tax threshold will land. I assume from what's been 
written that a 54 million payroll will be tolerated, but 
it seems like no-one knows for sure.

-As a basis for comparison, Boston is at $51,469,891 but 
haven't yet signed a 12th man (Songaila or point guard).


Basically this trade may be a reminder that things are 
tough all over. The grass is just as crabby elsewhere, so 
to speak.

Philly thankfully has given Boston a good run for their 
money in the "trade for the most overpaid maximum 
contract" sweepstakes. We each added a couple of 14 and 6 
guys who get lousy grades for their defense.

Its easy to imagine Philly not reaching the playoffs, 
even if Milwaukee implodes and Atlanta stays as mediocre 
as usual. Philly just doesn't have a good roster...bad 
coach-player chemistry, weakened defense, a one man team. 
So maybe Boston will have to wait a few years for 
Philly's lotto-protected first round pick. 

On the other hand, the Nets may have shortened their 
competitive shelf-life to one season. Assuming they pick 
up the team option on Kenyon Martin next year, they will 
be over 54 million even if Jason Kidd doesn't ask for a 
new contract (player option). If he does, they are over 
60 million most likely. Or they lose him without any 
compensation.

I must admit, in the end they didn't give up THAT much to 
get Mutombo. They gave up less than what Boston gave away 
for Baker, both from a talent and cap-savings perspective.

But in the end, I'd rather have added Vin Baker than 
Mutombo or Van Horn or Kukoc. So there you go I guess. 
The grass feels greener again.

Go Celts!

Joe

p.s. With Boston 700K below the Nets, Chris Wallace needs 
to at least consider making a defensive block on Rogers 
if the Nets make the expected low-money run at him. If 
the Nets go after Rogers, Wallace ought to forget about 
trolling around for a minimum wage point guard.

Obviously, we all remember that Rogers was the secret 
weapon that took Mutombo out of the Philly series. 

Byron Scott actually has a lot of non-financial 
inducements to offer Rogers. His club is a far more equal 
opportunity passing team. They have a former Rogers 
teammate in Kidd. They are consensus favorites to reach 
the Finals again. And they offer Rogers a big role as the 
designated 3-point shooter, whereas his previous Celts 
minutes have been absorbed by Baker (although, on paper, 
Boston can find plenty of minutes for him nevertheless). 
I mean the guy can play three positions without hurting a 
team.

Wallace did a good job of making Rogers feel welcome in 
Boston. And the Celtics have unrivalled tradition and 
fans who sell out regular season games.

Hopefully if it comes down to an offer from a division 
rival for minimum pay, Rogers will choose to go elsewhere 
or, less likely, re-sign in Boston. But I wouldn't blame 
Rogers at this stage in his career for finding the Nets 
an attractive team.

***





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