soundcrib wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:From what I can find it's true that players can just add another year on to their current deals and get the money over that much more time, there by reducing the yearly average by a substantial amount. Their team (Knicks) would be liable for that extra year if they leave or what not. It does seem like it can work then in that the player is not playing that extra year for free so to speak (if I understand things correctly). In other words you get paid over 4 years for 3 years of work, but that 4th year you can still sign a new contract.

For example:
Melo is owed 64.5 million over the next three years. Average = 21.5 million. Over 4 years the yearly average would be 16 million. Next years salary is 19.5 million, it frees up 3.5 million.
Amare is owed 65 million over the next three years. Average = 21.7 million. Over 4 years the yearly average would be 16.25 million. Next years salary is 20 million, it frees up 3.75 million.
Chandler is owed 42.2 million over the next three years. Average = 14 million. Over 4 years the yearly average would be 10.6 million. Next years salary is 13.6 million, it frees up 3 million.
So, if this is how it works we could free up 10.25 million for next year (not to mention trading other players for picks if need be).

Baron might not be going anywhere:

“For a good part of my career, I wasn’t having fun and I didn’t really enjoy the game and I wanted to enjoy the game again,” Davis said. “I figured if I played in this system that’s fit for my talents then I’ll be able to do that.”
Davis, who turns 33 in April, said he’s not at full strength yet. He also said he can’t really play more than 15 minutes at the moment.
“That was enough,” he said. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/davis_stars_as_backups_please_knicks_8GXdHQi5a8Ug1l2mdRFH3L#ixzz1nsmWUe3A

Is there a link you found that supports this part, "but that 4th year you can still sign a new contract."?

I did a google search and came across that as an example, yes. I don't have it now and they were talking about signing with another team in that example.

The problem here is there seems to be no source to go to. Is the CBA available online? No one really seems to know the answer here.

The question boils down to this: If you extend a deal from e.g. 3 years to 4 years, is the 4th year a "play year" or just an extension of the payment. In other words, is the 4th year a remainder of the contract money wise and not a "play" year, meaning you could re-sign for an extension, with another team, etc. OR Is the 4th year just mean you are extending the deal to 4 years for the same money? IF it is the latter then I see zero players EVER using this and it would be senseless.