Possible "waive" casualties

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The headlines in the new NBA labor agreement were the age minimum of 19, increased drug testing and the development of a full minor league. But a little-discussed clause could prove a boon to title-contending teams and even teams like the Bulls, which have limited financial flexibility.

The clause allows teams to waive high-salaried players on a one-time-only basis and escape serious consequences under the luxury tax imposed on high-salaried teams.


Already, the Dallas Mavericks are talking about terminating the contract of--and paying in full--Maywood native Michael Finley. The Knicks are talking about a similar termination with Allan Houston. Both would receive the remaining amount of their contracts, annually more than $15 million.

Other players considered strong possibilities to be released in a similar manner would be Chris Webber in Philadelphia, Jalen Rose in Toronto, Eddie Jones in Miami, Doug Christie in Orlando, Theo Ratliff in Portland and Raef LaFrentz in Boston.

Under the new agreement, the sides agreed to a dollar-for-dollar luxury-tax penalty for teams over a certain payroll amount, to be distributed to teams under that amount. For example, the Mavericks are well over the luxury-tax threshold. If they were to get Finley off the books, they would save more than $50 million over the next three years.

Although Finley is a starter and an essential part of the team's core, the Mavs have been looking to move in their younger, more athletic shooting guards. If the Mavs decide to exercise the option, Finley could collect the $52 million remaining on his contract and then sign with another team at the salary-cap exception beginning at $5 million annually, in effect, a $5 million bonus.

And Finley could join a contending team like the Pistons, who already are said to have indicated interest in using Finley in a three-guard rotation to improve their long-distance shooting. Miami could be interested, as well, if the Heat elects to get out of the rest of Jones' $30 million contract. The Suns, who drafted Finley, are believed to be interested.

Or maybe Finley would just like to come home, where he should have gone when the Bulls passed on him in the 1995 draft and selected Jason Caffey.

Draft doings

The Trail Blazers, who have the No. 3 pick Tuesday, are getting the majority of offers because point guards Deron Williams and Chris Paul figure to be available after Andrew Bogut and Marvin Williams are taken. But Marvin Williams has had some poor workouts, which could concern the Hawks at No. 2. If they take him, look for them to move Al Harrington.

Portland is asking teams to take Ruben Patterson, but surprisingly has thus far rejected offers for Darius Miles. The belief is they'll take high schooler Gerald Green if they keep the pick.

The Jazz is trying to move up from No. 6 for Deron Williams. The Hornets are trying to get Toronto's Nos. 7 and 16 for Jamaal Magloire. Golden State is trying to move up from No. 9 for a center, perhaps Channing Frye, and supposedly would offer Mike Dunleavy or Troy Murphy. The feeling is that it all will shake out once Portland decides what to do.

General manager John Nash says the Blazers are considering Deron Williams, Paul, Seattle high school shooting guard Martell Webster and Green.

It has been said Utah is offering Gordon Giricek, Kirk Synder and perhaps Carlos Boozer for the third pick. The Bobcats might swap Nos. 5 and 13 to move up if they also get back a player, and the Raptors would deal No. 7 and Morris Peterson. The Lakers have shot down rumors they'll offer No. 10 and Caron Butler.

Numbers crunching

Yes, the TV ratings for the NBA Finals were down about 30 percent, to an 8.2 rating and 11.9 share for the Spurs' Game 7 win. Yes, we've been hearing about the decline of the NBA. And watch out for NASCAR. And, of course, there was Tiger Woods' late charge at the U.S. Open. But even with Woods contending, the final golf day drew a lowly 5.5 rating and the comparable auto race was 6.0. Even Sunday's NBA game, with ABC doing far less promotion than NBC did in the previous contract, drew almost 60 percent better than the U.S. Open. Many around the NBA wonder if there is a subtle media racial bias with a predominantly black league getting far less coverage than, for example, golf, noting that most of the media decisions at major networks and newspapers are made by white editors.

Don't forget old-timers

The legacy of the Spurs' Tim Duncan was debated in the NBA Finals when he stumbled a little in the middle games in Detroit. A question arose about who is the greatest power forward ever. Lately, it has been said that it's the recently retired Karl Malone, but Duncan may be passing him, especially after winning his third NBA championship and Finals MVP award.

Said Pistons coach Larry Brown: "If a player played three years ago, they don't even know who they are. They always tell me how good they are, all the young players. I remember when there were nine teams, 10 guys on a team when Bob Pettit played. I said, `We've got 145 starters in our league. That means 55 of you guys wouldn't even have a job.' They don't even comprehend that.

"Those players back then really knew how to play because I don't think they all were quite as athletic. They had a great appreciation and respect for the game because obviously the money wasn't great. Most of them had two jobs. The contribution they made is something we take for granted."