Re: [Celtics' Stuff Shmoozing about "smoothing."-Globe

[CeltsSteve@AOL.com]

In a message dated 3/24/02 4:21:21 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
james.metz@verizon.net writes:


> The league is talking about a concept of ''smoothing'' in which teams that 
> exceed the tax threshold but still make an earnest attempt to stay under it 
> won't be shut
> out of the luxury tax money from the deliberate big spenders. In short,
> there's no reason the Celtics shouldn't re-sign Rogers to a reasonable deal
> and then worry about the tax consequences. - Peter May in today's Globe



This development or modification would be most welcome news to the C's and 
proof positive that Stern has heard the grumbling of the players and owners 
alike that the current Luxury Tax setup has ground player movement to almost 
to a halt for all but the very richest of owners. Lets hope 'smoothing' 
becomes officially implemented before the free agency window goes up this 
summer. 

The central question then becomes what is a 'reasonable' deal for Rogers? 
Using the exception figure of $4.5M/year as a starting salary, would 4 years 
at $20M get him re-signed?  5 years at $25M?

CeltsSteve