Re: Restricted free agents/Salary Cap

[Kim Malo <kimmalo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 10:44 PM 7/29/2003 -0400, Troy Hash wrote:
> I thought I "reasonably" had a handle on the salary cap rules.  But, this
> restricted free agent thing with Arenas at Golden State has me stumped.  I
> thought any team could go over the cap to sign their own free agents.

Only certain of them.

>  BUT, I
> have read several places that Golden State couldn't resign Arenas even if they
> wanted to because they were over the cap and could offer only their mid level
> exception.  Why couldn't they match the Wizards offer if they wanted even if
> they went over the cap?   Josh, Ray, Snoop, anyone have an answer for me?

He's only been in the league 2 years. Bird rights, which are what you're 
referring to above aren't in effect until after 3 years. They let you pay 
him anything up to the max salary. While early Bird Rights, which he is 
eligible for, since they apply after 2 years, would limit them to paying 
him 175% of his salary the previous season or the average player salary.

> Also, regarding the Jones trade, I really like it!  But, I read a couple of
> places where we also sent a 2nd round pick but ESPN, CBS, did not mention the
> pick.  Did we or didn't we??   Thanks, Troy

Snoopy just posted that it was a conditional one.

Kim