Posted by BigSm00th:

How would the Knicks acquire Collins with the $1.4 veteran's exception. Collins just came out of his rookie season, that qualifies him as a veteran? If they can do that, great, but I believe the veteran's exception of $1.4 million is reserved for veterans, not 2nd year players.

Collective Barganing Agreement Section 6, Part (b) Veteran Free Agent Exception (Page 100):


"Beginning on the August 1 following the last Season covered by a Veteran Free Agent’s Player Contract,
such player may enter into a new Player Contract with his Prior Team (or, in the case of a player selected in an
Expansion Draft that year, with the Team that selected such player in an Expansion Draft) as follows:
(1) If the player is a Qualifying Veteran Free Agent, the new Player Contract may provide for Salary and
Unlikely Bonuses in the first Season totaling up to the maximum amount provided for in Article II, Section 7.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the player is a Qualifying Veteran Free Agent whose last Contract
was his Rookie Scale Contract and whose Prior Team did not exercise the Fourth Year Option to extend such
Contract for a fourth Season, the new Player Contract may provide for Regular Salary, Likely Bonuses and
Unlikely Bonuses in the first Season of up to the Regular Salary, Likely Bonuses and Unlikely Bonuses,
respectively, that the player would have received for such Season had his Prior Team exercised its Fourth Year
Option. Annual increases and decreases in Salary and Unlikely Bonuses shall be governed by Section 5(c)(2)
above.
(2) If the player is a Non-Qualifying Veteran Free Agent, then, subject to Article II, Section 7, the new
Player Contract may provide in the first Season up to the greater of: (i) 120% of the Regular Salary for the final
Season of the player’s prior Contract, plus 120% of any Likely Bonuses and Unlikely Bonuses, respectively,
called for in the final Season covered by the player’s prior Contract; (ii) 120% of the then-current Minimum
Annual Salary applicable to the player; or (iii) in the case of a Contract between a Team and its Restricted Free
Agent, the amount required to be provided in a Qualifying Offer. Annual increases and decreases in Salary and
Unlikely Bonuses shall be governed by Section 5(c)(1) above.
(3) If the player is an Early Qualifying Veteran Free Agent, the new Player Contract must cover at least two
Seasons (not including a Season covered by an Option Year) and, subject to Article II, Section 7, may provide in
the first Season up to the greater of: (i) 175% of the Regular Salary for the final Season covered by his prior
Contract, plus 175% of any Likely Bonuses and Unlikely Bonuses, respectively, called for in the final Season
covered by the player’s prior Contract, or (ii) 108% of the Average Player Salary for the prior Season (or if the
prior Season’s Average Player Salary has not been determined, 108% of the Estimated Average Player Salary for
the prior Season). Annual increases and decreases in Salary and Unlikely Bonuses shall be governed by Section
5(c)(2) above."

Posted by BigSm00th:

I agree, splitting the exception on two mediocre centers is a better move and a smarter move for the Knicks (as opposed to signing Jerome James, who was an unknown.) So I think James going back to Seattle will work out better for the Knicks.

I've been away for a while, could someone update me on this Spree to Atlanta, Terry to Cleveland, Miller to NY deal? Is there any chance of this happening, I know I didn't write the whole deal, just the main parts, but if the Knicks could land Miller to play point and feed Houston and McDyess, I think that'd be great. But at the same time, why would the Knicks need Frank Williams since Miller would be signed long term.

And if Boston trades Kenny Anderson and gets Vin Baker I think they'd be the front runners to win the East. With Delk and Cook splitting point guard, they'll make up for Anderson's production, Walker can bomb threes all day with Baker down low, and Pierce can cause his usual damage. That'd be a dangerous team.

Posted by nwny:

He's their player so they are never in danger of losing him (if it's about money). You can offer your own player (even if he's unrestricted) as much money as you want, even if you are over the cap, and it won't count agianst your mid-level, or veterans exception. Caps, and exceptions only come in to play when you're trying to obtain another teams player.

Posted by HARDCOREKNICKSFAN:

If we had to pick a combo to split the $4.7M mid-level for, who'd it be (at this point, with some candidates off the market)?


I'd try for Collins and Doleac, and at the same time try to reserve enough of it to sign Trybanski or Closs to the minimum. Of course this is if we don't trade for big men at all.

Thoughts?

Collins and Doleac would be a nice combo. Problem is, neither is big in shot-blocking. I think we should offer the complete exception to Keon Clark, but it doesn't look like Layden is going to do that. I think we should sign the 7-3 Trybanski and if we can't get him, we should sign Mate Skelin of our summer league team. He's 7-0, 255lbs and has put up decent numbers. He can rebound and block shots and thats what we need. Hopefully we can at least get either Collins or Doleac or someone of that caliber through trade to back-up KT and give New York a legit center. Cato, Foyle, Mohammed, and Marc Jackson are a few names i have in mind.

Posted by BigSm00th:

I think Doleac can definitely be had for part of it. I'm not sure if Collins would leave Utah, hopefully he would. Other free agent centers are Ike Austin, Olden Polynice, Jelani McCoy, and Popeye Jones. Not exactly top of the line.

Looking at the talent now, I doubt the Knicks would package Thomas in a trade for VE or anyone else, because he'll probably split time with the signed center.

Posted by Knixkik:

Posted by knicksbb10:

Utah Jazz Roster
William Avery, Charlie Bell, Marcus Brown, Curtis Borchardt, Gyasi Cline-Heard, Jarron Collins, Vasco Evtimov, Ruben Garces, Nate Green, Derek Hood, Andrei Kirilenko, John Linehan, LaRon Profit, DeShawn Stevenson. As you know, Collins is on the Utah roster and is said to be returning to the jazz especially since rookie C. Borchardt broke his foot again. It looks like the knicks will be lucked out in the Collins sweepstakes.

Borchardt will be out 4 to 6 weeks and the Knicks could probably make a run for Coliins if they made a big offer, but that seems unlikely. I think New York will end up signing Michael Doleac for part of the exception which isn't a bad thing because he is a decent back-up center with good size.