Following on Howard Beck's earlier report that the $58 million salary cap and $70 million luxury tax threshold "would be at least as high" for the first two years of the new CBA, Chris Mannix and Steve Aschburner provide additional detail on the various "system" issues that now seem to be the break point of negotiations.
What emerges from all three lists is an impression that the CBA revisions the NBA proposes helps the Nets in general. Among the points already agreed to, beyond the cap and tax numbers, the 100% amnesty for one player's contract, the retention of "Bird Rights" and "stretch exception" all help the Nets. And if they go over the cap but stay under the tax threshold, the Nets would still have the MLE and biannual exception to play with.
One big advantage: if, as expected, Travis Outlaw is waived under the amnesty provision, the Nets would have around $33 million in payroll. That would put them $25 million under the salary cap. They could also take advantage of the "stretch exception" that would allow them to waive players and stretch payments out over a longer period. The salary remains on the cap, but costs are reduced. And new language banning extend-and-trade deals could reduce Deron Williams' options, if only by a little, while onerous luxury tax provisions could limit the Mavericks' ability to re-sign Tyson Chandler.
- NBA players disclose where union, league stand on system issues - Chris Mannix - Sports Illustrated
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System issues still at crux of contract conflict - Steve Aschburner - NBA.com