in the player salaries link...???

Posted by LarrythaLeo:

in the player salaries link...???

Bada Boom Bada Bing!!!!!!!

http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/knicks.jsp

Posted by purple012870:

What does early termination mean (the team can opt to kill the contract in that year)?

All cases I've seen it means the player can end the contract early. It may depend on how the contract is written though and teams may have the same option.

Early Termination Can Pay Well

By: Jason Fleming Last Updated: 5/21/08 2:48 PM ET

Not everyone gets an Early Termination Option (ETO) written into their contract. Typically it's only star players, and teams will grant the ETO clause request as a way to entice a player to sign. Players like them because if they exercise that option while they are presumably still at the top of their game they can be guaranteed another lucrative long-term deal.

To be clear, ETOs are slightly different from a regular player option. With a player option the player must exercise the option; here if the player does nothing he continues under the same contract.

ETOs are only available on contracts at least five years in length (six is max) and cannot be available until after the fourth year.

The players on the below list, in no particular order, can alter the course of the 2008 free agency landscape should they choose to exercise their ETOs because they would instantly be part of the top-tier of available players and be in demand with the free agent dollars available. Let's take a look at each one and gauge the probability of them hitting this year's market.

Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets - $21.9 million

Iverson wants to remain with the Nuggets and the Nuggets want Iverson to stay, so the chances of him opting out of his contract are slim to none. If anything, the Nuggets may be open to discuss a contract extension with him. Even if he signs a long-term deal, it's not in his best interest to opt out first because it will likely be for less money – and since the Nuggets are so far over the salary cap already it wouldn't gain them anything either.

Baron Davis, Golden State Warriors - $17.1 million

There was a bit of a hubbub near the end of the season about Baron Davis and his status as a Golden State Warrior, but the reality is Davis doesn't really want to go anywhere – and he won't give up the money to do it either. The likelihood of him taking the ETO is low because he wants an extension to his current deal. Thing is, if he doesn't opt out and the Warriors really think that perhaps Monta Ellis can run the point, Davis may become a trade piece.

Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana Pacers - $21.4 million

The chances of O'Neal opting out of this contract are about nil. The only reason he might is if he really, really wants to play for a different team, but the chances he gets more than the mid-level exception (MLE) in free agency are not very good. Strictly from a money standpoint he could put that decision off for a season and still likely get the same deal, but if he tried to do it now he'd be losing out on $15 million or so. Remember, taking an ETO is for players at the top of their game and O'Neal has struggled with injuries recently – he'll keep the money.

Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers - $16.4 million

Brand's first preference is to stay with the Clippers, but he also wants to get a better feel for where the franchise stands. Considering he just missed most of the season, Shaun Livingston isn't back, and Maggette may be gone, it's going to be very hard to get a bead on that kind of track for awhile, and probably not early enough for him to justify exercising his ETO. Look for Brand not to opt out, but he probably won't be ready to talk extension just yet, making him instantly a top target of the 2009 free agent market.

Corey Maggette, L.A. Clippers - $8.4 million

It's almost a guarantee Maggette opts out of his contract. He doesn't really want to be a Clipper anymore and the team has Al Thornton ready to step and fill the same roles as Mags, plus play some defense. On the open market Maggette's services will be in demand, since he can score at will from any place on the floor. Defense is another issue, but teams know what they will be paying for; the question will be if the Clippers can get anything in return.

Shawn Marion, Miami HEAT - $17.1 million

Marion is in an interesting position. He can elect to take the ETO and instantly become the top free agent on the market – and could help the HEAT by working a sign-and-trade with a contending team for some talent to help rebuild Miami. Or he could stay in Miami, where they may or may not choose to trade him as an ending contract for more pieces anyway. Or…the HEAT might just keep him, extend his contract, add a Michael Beasley or a Derrick Rose to a lineup of Marion, Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem, and then quickly become a playoff team once again. Either way Marion can't lose, because he will get paid; it's just a matter of what seems most comfortable.

Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks – $21.9 million

While a player like Jermaine O'Neal would be able to get the MLE from just about any team, Marbury would be lucky to get that much after his horrible performances, the injury discussions and the general mess he was a part of in NYC. For him to opt out of his deal, leaving at minimum $16 million on the table, would be plain silly. There are also rumors the New York Knicks may buy out his contract, giving him a sizable settlement and the ability to find a new team anyway. Why kill the current deal?

Raef LaFrentz, Portland Trail Blazers - $12.7 million

LaFrentz played in 39 games in 2007-08, posting 1.7 points and 1.7 rebounds. Opt out and give up $12.7 million? Yeah, right. It's quite likely if playing time is really important to him he could find a different team for a few million per that would put him back in the rotation – he can still shoot and is a solid role player – but like with O'Neal he can get that same contract next summer too.

Ron Artest, Sacramento Kings - $7.4 million

Ron-Ron seems to waffle back and forth daily about taking the ETO or not taking the ETO. He played solid ball after coming back from injury, averaging 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.33 steals in 57 games. With a Player Efficiency Rating of just under 20 that makes Artest one of the elite players in this game – and at $7.4 million probably underpaid. The issue with Artest is always the mental side though, and teams will be wary. If he does opt out he may not be a top target for teams with money, meaning he could end up with the MLE on a top team. It would give him security, but not more money. Or, like with Marion, if he doesn't take the ETO he may end up being traded anyway.

Kenny Thomas, Sacramento Kings – $7.9 million

Add Thomas to the LaFrentz list – he'd give up way, way too much money if he exercised his ETO. Yes, he's dealt with some injuries, but he's nowhere near the player he was when the Kings acquired him in the Chris Webber trade with Philadelphia. Sacramento will be hoping against hope he does opt out, but it won't happen.

Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards - $12.8 million

Arenas went on record before the season even began he would be exercising his ETO, but that was before he played in only 13 games because of a knee injury…and before he left Washington's first round series against Cleveland with another injury that needed more surgery. So you would think Arenas would change his mind, right? Hardly. Arenas doesn't change his mind. He will exercise it, but he simply wants a new deal with the Wizards. Well, as long as they bring Antawn Jamison back too; otherwise, in his own words, "What's the point?" Even after the injuries look for him to stay in Washington on a new long-term deal at about max money.

[Edited by - TrueBlue on 06-12-2008 1:48 PM]