Rescuing Bogdanovic From Bogjam

The Nets seem committed to bringing Bojan Bogdanovic to the NBA next season. The team's chief international scout, Danko Cvjeticanin, said that last week. The problem is that Fenerbahce wants to keep him and his contract has no buyout clause this summer. Unless it's renegotiated, and that's going to be difficult, he will may very well play another year in Turkey.

But let's assume that Fener does agree to a buyout. Aren't the Nets limited to paying only $525,0000 of a buyout that could be two of three times that much? Not necessarily, say league sources. It's a common misconception, they say, that teams can pay up to the CBA limit of $525,000 --$550,000 starting July 1-- and no more towards an international players buyout. Not so. There is no limit BUT any amount over the CBA -imposed ceiling gets charged to the team's salary cap or if the team prefers, an exception, like the MLE, "room" exception or bi-annual.

Technically, one source noted, it gets counted as a signing bonus or gets included in the player's first year deal and ultimately, Bogdanovic would have to pay Fener or work out an advance against his salary. But it can be done. Moreover, second round picks like Bogdanovic can negotiate much more freely than first rounders. Whether the Nets are willing to do that is a question. But first they have to convince Fener to let him go.