I just struggle to see how the players are going to win this one. The system is obviously broke. Guaranteed contracts and the length of those deals are putting most franchises under. You can say it is the FO fault, but it is a Catch-22 for owners because if they don't try to sign guys and make the team better, the fans aren't going to show up. So either they overspend on FA or they suck and can't sell tickets.
Agree Phinomina, to me the solution is a set percentage buyout that is mandatory in every contract, the guarantee isn't the problem it is the fact there is no escape hatch, a set percentage, say 20% that does not count against a Cap moving forwards would make a ton of sense and get rid of some of the nonsense of trading for a contract to create cap space the following season. Jermaine O'Neal for 18 million? Sure that way when his deal expires we have cap space!...that is insanity.
Exactly - the fact that expiring contracts are the greatest trade asset is a joke. It also widens the gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots" because teams that can take on salary have a huge advantage. Look at the Cavs - they were willing to take on Baron Davis' RIDICULOUS deal and it netted them the first pick. It is less about being a good GM and more about taking advantage of bad GMs. And this is coming from a Cavs fan.
