Who to Amnesty?

[benji]

Here's Marc Stein and Chad Ford's suggestions: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/71478 ... candidates

Yet sources close to the situation insist that this decision isn't as automatic as some would make it out to be. The Cavs are known to not value cap space as much as trade assets. They've also been on a mission to acquire future draft picks since the departure of LeBron James. There's also one more issue: If the Cavs were to burn their amnesty card on Davis, sources say LeBron's Heat would become an instant suitor and serious threat to sign Baron ... which would be painful beyond words for Cavs owner Dan Gilbert to stomach.

The only apparent disclaimer is the possibility that the Lakers could double dip in terms of savings in the form of injury relief should Walton elect to retire, which would then make a subsequent amnesty divorce from the mercurial Metta hard to resist financially. One team insider said that Walton, though just 31, has indeed begun to contemplate retirement because of a debilitating back condition, with Walton himself telling ESPN.com's Andy Katz earlier this summer that he's seen multiple doctors who have advised him to stop playing.

Although there's an undeniable sense in Rip City that the Blazers will be tempted to give Roy one more season to regain something resembling his old form, one rival exec insists that "Roy would be gone for sure if [Rich] Cho was still there" ... and that it's only a matter of time even without Cho in charge.

Cutting ties with Roy, expensive as it'll be, is the only way they can truly start over. The Blazers, if they kept him for even one more season, would have a payroll approaching $75 million when the season starts.

[Andrew]

Those sound like pretty solid choices. As much as we can criticise Joe Johnson's contract, I'd still be surprised if they cut him loose with the amnesty clause. He's not going to play up to his salary, but he'll come a lot closer than Marvin Williams is likely to. As for the Bulls, I'd still prefer them to take the gamble on keeping Boozer than cutting him loose.

Interesting that Charlie Villanueva is pegged as the top candidate for the Pistons, I'd have thought Hamilton would still be the frontrunner given the deteriorating relationship with the team. I'm not sure they can find a taker for him via trade with his contract, there'll be teams willing to take a one or two year gamble on him if he's released but take on his contract and give up anything of value in return? I'm not so sure.

[[Q]]

I think it's because Rip still has trade value. Charlie V has a lot less plus i tihnk more years left on his deal right?

wouldn't you think it's the mostly the fault of GMs & owners if they think players are getting paid too much when they keep wanting to bring back an "Amnesty clause"?

[Andrew]

Of course, but if they're going to institute a hard cap or more restrictive luxury tax-type situation, it's the only way that teams can get under it within a reasonable amount of time.