Celtics Interested In Antonio Daniels, Spurs Don't Want Any Long Term Contracts

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=200&xlc=767677&xld=200

Daniels trade talk: Interest in Antonio Daniels, for whom the Spurs
continue to entertain trade offers, has increased. Boston and Minnesota
are among a number of teams looking for help at point guard.

Daniels is in the last season of his contract, and the Spurs will be
hesitant about dealing him for any player who has more than one year
left on his deal. The team does not want to compromise the salary-cap
room it plans to clear next summer unless the player figures to be a key
piece for the future.

Taxing situation: The Spurs' combined payroll will approach the league's
luxury-tax threshold  estimated to be between $50 million and $52.5
million  when the signing of Malik Rose is completed within the next
few days. Exceeding the threshold will result in a dollar-for-dollar
penalty.

The NBA and Players Association also are about to go to arbitration over
whether the league can penalize taxpaying teams by excluding them from
sharing in the portion of players' salaries held in escrow. If so, teams
who don't violate the tax threshold could reap a "bonus" payment
possibly exceeding $5 million.

Regardless of the salary tax, the Spurs have only about $1 million
remaining of their midlevel exception  in addition to the
minimum-salary exceptions  to spend on free agents.

jludden@express-news.net