http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm I dunno if you want to sticky this, but this has information on how trades and salaries work.
You could also read my article, posted here on JBB way back in November. I will definitely write a new one when the new CBA comes out for 2005. http://www.justbball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27886 It also references Mr. Coon, though, as well as a few other noted authors like Dan Rosenbaum. Also of interest: a constantly updated page for contract information for all NBA teams: http://www.dfw.net/~patricia/contracts
The new Collective Bargaining Agreement (2005) DEFINITIONS UNIFORM PLAYER CONTRACT PLAYER EXPENSES BENEFITS COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES IN CONNECTION WITH MILITARY DUTY PLAYER CONDUCT BASKETBALL RELATED INCOME, SALARY CAP, MINIMUM TEAM SALARY, AND ESCROW ARRANGEMENT ROOKIE SCALE LENGTH OF PLAYER CONTRACTS PLAYER ELIGIBILITY AND NBA DRAFT FREE AGENCY OPTION CLAUSES CIRCUMVENTION ANTI-COLLUSION PROVISIONS CERTIFICATIONS MUTUAL RESERVATION OF RIGHTS PROCEDURE WITH RESPECT TO PLAYING CONDITIONS AT VARIOUS FACILITIES TRAVEL ACCOMMODATIONS, LOCKER ROOM FACILITIES AND PARKING UNION SECURITY, DUES AND CHECK-OFF SCHEDULING NBA ALL-STAR GAME MEDICAL TREATMENT OF PLAYERS AND RELEASE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION EXHIBITION GAMES AND OFF-SEASON GAMES AND EVENTS PROHIBITION OF NO-TRADE CONTRACTS LIMITATION ON DEFERRED COMPENSATION TEAM RULES RIGHT OF SET-OFF BROADCAST OR TELECAST RIGHTS MISCELLANEOUS NO-STRIKE AND NO-LOCKOUT PROVISIONS AND OTHER UNDERTAKINGS GRIEVANCE AND ARBITRATION PROCEDURE AND SPECIAL PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO DISPUTES INVOLVING PLAYER DISCIPLINE SYSTEM ARBITRATION ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM RECOGNITION CLAUSE SAVINGS CLAUSE PLAYER AGENTS GROUP LICENSING RIGHTS INTEGRATION, ENTIRE AGREEMENT, INTERPRETATION, CHOICE OF LAW TERM OF AGREEMENT EXPANSION PLAYER-TEAM COOPERATION NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE OTHER EXHIBITS SOURCE: http://www.nbpa.org/cba_articles.php Also Future Draft Picks we've received/traded: http://www.nbadraft.net/draftnotes.asp#pho062304