From David Aldridge of NBA.com:
“A source who has been briefed on the discussions between the two sides said Monday afternoon that the sides are close to an agreement on one “system” aspect that has proven troublesome — a new, shorter mid-level exception for free agents. Owners have sought a major reduction in the mid-level, one of the key ways that teams over the salary cap are nonetheless able to add players. Implemented in the 1999 CBA after players agreed to accept maximums on player salaries, the mid-level was designed to give non-superstar players a chance at a good payday during their careers, and it has done just that. Tied to the average salary in the NBA, last year’s mid-level started at $5.8 million. With annual 8 percent raises, a five-year mid-level contract would be worth $37 million. And while some mid-level signings — like Detroit’s signing of Chauncey Billups in 2002 — worked out, many other players who’ve been signed to mid-level deals over the years have not performed as hoped by their teams. And because contracts are guaranteed, teams were locked into those deals for several more years than they’d like. Owners have looked to shorten the mid-level to as few as three years.”
Disappointed says
First two weeks cancelled. Wide gulf still seperates players and owners.
Sorry Chris.
Joe says
I hope the season is canceled the shortened season years ago was some of the worst basketball I can remember watching in a long time sit out the season really make these players pay the price for this shit
Adrian says
PLAYERS???? you realize this is a lockout, not a strike. This was completely initiated by the owners. The players were fine the way things were… its the owners being greedy and wanting more. Infact, the players even offered to give up some of their money and the owners still wouldnt do it. This lock out is 100% the choice of the owners.
ignarus says
In theory, it’s problematic that the MLE was set at the mean instead of the median league salary, since top players (even with max salaries) are likely to skew this above what the middle-of-the-pack player is worth.
But it’s not like decreasing it will help top teams in any way at all. It’ll just make it so capped out teams don’t have as much to offer good role players. You know, the sort of guy that could get more somewhere else, but would rather play on a good team for more than (NBA-relative) peanuts.
Likewise, good role players will be stuck looking for teams with cap space instead of being able to sign for the MLE somewhere.
It doesn’t make teams better in any way at all. It just makes it cheaper to run a bad team.