e_blazer
Rip City Fan
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On its face, the recent decision by the arbitrator that allows waived players to retain their Bird Rights looks like a good thing for the Blazers with respect to JJ Hickson. Unfortunately, Stern is having the league appeal the decision:
So, as I see it, this really puts the Blazers in a box. If they extend Hickson a qualifying offer, they'll have his cap hold reducing the amount of money that they have available for FA signings. Also, I'm assuming that the league will use the higher cap hold figure for Hickson because of the pending Bird Rights. Ultimately, if the league wins, there's no advantage to the Blazers having extended a QO at all since they can't go over the cap to sign him. In the mean time, they need to be in a position to get their FA signings done as soon as the moratorium period lifts so they can be in a position to match on Batum using his Bird Rights within 3 days of somebody making him an offer.
Am I seeing this right? If so, it may make more sense to not extend Hickson a QO at all.
The NBA said it would appeal Friday's ruling. The players' association believes the appeal from the league will not be resolved by July 1, the start of free agency.
So, as I see it, this really puts the Blazers in a box. If they extend Hickson a qualifying offer, they'll have his cap hold reducing the amount of money that they have available for FA signings. Also, I'm assuming that the league will use the higher cap hold figure for Hickson because of the pending Bird Rights. Ultimately, if the league wins, there's no advantage to the Blazers having extended a QO at all since they can't go over the cap to sign him. In the mean time, they need to be in a position to get their FA signings done as soon as the moratorium period lifts so they can be in a position to match on Batum using his Bird Rights within 3 days of somebody making him an offer.
Am I seeing this right? If so, it may make more sense to not extend Hickson a QO at all.