Amnesty Kings

[Rastapopoulos]

So, the two players that everyone who discusses the issue of amnesty say are almost locks to be amnestied are Blake Griffin and Nic Batum. And it occurred to me that, if we added both of them, we'd look a lot like those classic Bibby-Stojakovic-Webber-Divac Kings teams that would have beaten the Lakers if not for being robbed by the refs. Obviously Nurk is our Divac: a great-passing, versatile big man. And I would say that Dame is Mike Bibby on steroids, except that it's clear that Mike Bibby IS on steroids. Griffin would be Webber, of course, but while Batum certainly has the guard-like skills that Stojakovic had, I'd have to say that CJ would play his second-scorer role on the Blazers. Meanwhile Batum would play the Doug Christie role: defense and gap-filling. (All we need is a young Turkoglu off the bench.)

Of course, assuming they DO get amnestied, every contender is going to offer them a place, and they're much more likely to want to go to an LA team or perhaps Miami or Houston. Or maybe Batum would just retire to France. But this would be the chance for Olshey to earn his keep. He was the guy who drafted Griffin for the Clippers, right? And Dame has spoken well of Batum since he left, so maybe he could sway him. And while nobody wants those players if they come with their anchor contracts, I can't imagine objections to getting them for pennies on the (Dame) dolla.

 

[kjironman1]

So, the two players that everyone who discusses the issue of amnesty say are almost locks to be amnestied are Blake Griffin and Nic Batum. And it occurred to me that, if we added both of them, we'd look a lot like those classic Bibby-Stojakovic-Webber-Divac Kings teams that would have beaten the Lakers if not for being robbed by the refs. Obviously Nurk is our Divac: a great-passing, versatile big man. And I would say that Dame is Mike Bibby on steroids, except that it's clear that Mike Bibby IS on steroids. Griffin would be Webber, of course, but while Batum certainly has the guard-like skills that Stojakovic had, I'd have to say that CJ would play his second-scorer role on the Blazers. Meanwhile Batum would play the Doug Christie role: defense and gap-filling. (All we need is a young Turkoglu off the bench.)

Of course, assuming they DO get amnestied, every contender is going to offer them a place, and they're much more likely to want to go to an LA team or perhaps Miami or Houston. Or maybe Batum would just retire to France. But this would be the chance for Olshey to earn his keep. He was the guy who drafted Griffin for the Clippers, right? And Dame has spoken well of Batum since he left, so maybe he could sway him. And while nobody wants those players if they come with their anchor contracts, I can't imagine objections to getting them for pennies on the (Dame) dolla.

Except it’s clear Mike Bibby is on steroids....
Fukn instant classic!

 

[kjironman1]

As far as adding Griffin and Batum for Pennies on the Dolla?
Sounds good to me.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

A couple more thoughts:
If Griffin went to another contender, he might not be assured of a starting spot, or even if he had that, he might not be assured a major role. But we have a huge hole at PF - we NEED him. So if he won a ring with us, he could feel that he really earned it and wasn't just hanging on to LeBron's coattails. Also, we don't have a single player who orchestrates everything a la Chris Paul or LeBron. Both our guards can play off ball and both Batum and Griffin could do some orchestrating and use their passing skills. That's another part of the Kings analogy - every starter was a great passer and there was great ball movement.
And, re: Batum - he's not even PLAYING in CHARLOTTE right now. No other team is likely to offer him a starting spot, and moreover, a starting spot where he can play his unselfish game where he doesn't look to score.

 

[tester551]

So, the two players that everyone who discusses the issue of amnesty say are almost locks to be amnestied are Blake Griffin and Nic Batum. And it occurred to me that, if we added both of them, we'd look a lot like those classic Bibby-Stojakovic-Webber-Divac Kings teams that would have beaten the Lakers if not for being robbed by the refs. Obviously Nurk is our Divac: a great-passing, versatile big man. And I would say that Dame is Mike Bibby on steroids, except that it's clear that Mike Bibby IS on steroids. Griffin would be Webber, of course, but while Batum certainly has the guard-like skills that Stojakovic had, I'd have to say that CJ would play his second-scorer role on the Blazers. Meanwhile Batum would play the Doug Christie role: defense and gap-filling. (All we need is a young Turkoglu off the bench.)

Of course, assuming they DO get amnestied, every contender is going to offer them a place, and they're much more likely to want to go to an LA team or perhaps Miami or Houston. Or maybe Batum would just retire to France. But this would be the chance for Olshey to earn his keep. He was the guy who drafted Griffin for the Clippers, right? And Dame has spoken well of Batum since he left, so maybe he could sway him. And while nobody wants those players if they come with their anchor contracts, I can't imagine objections to getting them for pennies on the (Dame) dolla.

I've not been paying much attention to the NBA since we are in 'off-season' mode right now...
Has there been talk of including an amnesty provision when the league returns? I'd be surprised if they did....

 

[RR7]

I haven't seen any amnesty discussion, except out of fans on message boards, so I also wonder if there's been any actual discussion on it.

It's funny, we don't have an actual candidate for it, which made me think, could we use it on Nicholson's contract to wipe it from our books? Or can we trade for someone and use it to help out a different team?

 

[Stevenson]

Love the analogy as I lived in Sactown during that era and that was just the most fun team to watch. But Nic is no Peja. Peja was a killer three point shooter who stretched the defense. Nic is an old slasher well past his prime. He couldn't even play the Christie role.

But I love the sentiment. The Kings were robbed!

 

[SharpesTriumph]

If they do an amensty id think its like last time where teams with cap room bid to claim. It would be in the offseason.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I've not been paying much attention to the NBA since we are in 'off-season' mode right now...
Has there been talk of including an amnesty provision when the league returns? I'd be surprised if they did....

https://lonzowire.usatoday.com/2020...licans-report-news-kevin-love-andrew-wiggins/
https://www.si.com/nba/76ers/news/nba-76ers-amnesty-clause-ditch-al-horford
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports...0200528-q67xcbvdl5gibbdm4kfvyouome-story.html

...for example

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

https://lonzowire.usatoday.com/2020...licans-report-news-kevin-love-andrew-wiggins/
https://www.si.com/nba/76ers/news/nba-76ers-amnesty-clause-ditch-al-horford
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports...0200528-q67xcbvdl5gibbdm4kfvyouome-story.html

...for example

They all seem to be based on one writer's speculation.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I can't imagine any way this is implemented before the 2020 playoffs. I could definitely see it in the offseason though when they renegotiate the CBA.

I don't think the Blazers have anyone they should amnesty. However it would be a nice insurance policy in case lets say CJ declines significant and the Blazers want salary relief a few years from now. Or if Jusuf has major setbacks in the next year. Or heck if even Dame had some unforeseen injury or decline.

I suppose Ariza or Hood could be amnestied in the 2020 offseason if the team really has a use for that small additional one year of cap space. I'd rather keep it for Dame/CJ insurance as they near age 35. We saw Roy decline happen rapidly, other franchise guys like Griffin, John Wall, Tmac, Grant Hill, Steve Francis, Derek Rose, Gilbert Arenas, Kobe, etc. The line from MVP candidate to below average starter can happen in a few seasons. Hope we never have that, but at least the team regaining cap space would improve that type of situation.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I haven't seen any amnesty discussion, except out of fans on message boards, so I also wonder if there's been any actual discussion on it.

It's funny, we don't have an actual candidate for it, which made me think, could we use it on Nicholson's contract to wipe it from our books? Or can we trade for someone and use it to help out a different team?

I believe last time it had to be a player you waive from the roster, so we could not use it on Nicholson's contract. The player would then hit waivers and teams with cap room submit blind bids. Chauncey Billups, Travis Outlaw, Elton Brand, Luis Scola, Carlos Boozer were all claimed by new teams with cap room.

But it could be used on any contract signed prior to the new CBA, so if we traded for Batum we could later use it on him, if lets say Charlotte wanted to use theirs on another player.

Obviously a 2020 version could have some differences. But I believe the teams liked the 2011 changes, as the 2005 version allowed amnesty waived players to just sign vet minimum with luxury tax big market title teams of their choosing which owners did not like.

 

[CupWizier]

I believe last time it had to be a player you waive from the roster, so we could not use it on Nicholson's contract. The player would then hit waivers and teams with cap room submit blind bids. Chauncey Billups, Travis Outlaw, Elton Brand, Luis Scola, Carlos Boozer were all claimed by new teams with cap room.

But it could be used on any contract signed prior to the new CBA, so if we traded for Batum we could later use it on him, if lets say Charlotte wanted to use theirs on another player.

Obviously a 2020 version could have some differences. But I believe the teams liked the 2011 changes, as the 2005 version allowed amnesty waived players to just sign vet minimum with luxury tax big market title teams of their choosing which owners did not like.

Amnesty was used in the past on players who were signed by the team and were currently on the roster. We couldn't amnesty a player that was traded for and still under contract.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I can't imagine any way this is implemented before the 2020 playoffs.

No - wasn't suggesting that. Just an offseason idea in case Amnesty actually happens (which, of course, is probably less likely than that it does).

 

[CupWizier]

I can't imagine any way this is implemented before the 2020 playoffs. I could definitely see it in the offseason though when they renegotiate the CBA.

I don't think the Blazers have anyone they should amnesty. However it would be a nice insurance policy in case lets say CJ declines significant and the Blazers want salary relief a few years from now. Or if Jusuf has major setbacks in the next year. Or heck if even Dame had some unforeseen injury or decline.

I suppose Ariza or Hood could be amnestied in the 2020 offseason if the team really has a use for that small additional one year of cap space. I'd rather keep it for Dame/CJ insurance as they near age 35. We saw Roy decline happen rapidly, other franchise guys like Griffin, John Wall, Tmac, Grant Hill, Steve Francis, Derek Rose, Gilbert Arenas, Kobe, etc. The line from MVP candidate to below average starter can happen in a few seasons. Hope we never have that, but at least the team regaining cap space would improve that type of situation.

Amnesty has also been time sensitive and not something that can be carried over. If they were to do another amnesty I would think it would be during the off season and teams have very little time to make the decision

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Amnesty was used in the past on players who were signed by the team and were currently on the roster. We couldn't amnesty a player that was traded for and still under contract.

I think you are right on this.

Amnesty has also been time sensitive and not something that can be carried over. If they were to do another amnesty I would think it would be during the off season and teams have very little time to make the decision

In 2005 this was the case it was a one time decision to amnesty in the 2005 offseason. We amnestied Derek Anderson.

In 2011 this was not the case, every offseason teams could amnesty a player. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_salary_cap#Amnesty_clause
7 were amnestied in 2011 after the lockout.
8 in the summer of 2012
5 in 2013
Boozer in 2014

However there was a window of only so many days in July amnesty decisions had to be made each year. After a number of years the players that still have an overpaid contract signed prior to the amnesty were gone.

With 4 year max free agent contracts there aren't as many bad long term contracts so amnesty isn't as useful. Maybe one season of Batum... that was nothing like the multiple years of benefit we got from clearing Roy's salary.

I think its more the John Wall types that get a huge 5 year super max extension where it is useful this time around.