I was lucky enough to get an invitation to a FoxSportsNet tour of the Clippers new training facility today from 11:00-1:00.  When we arrived we were able to watch the Clippers play five-on-five scrimmages.  Count ‘em, ten Clippers were there on a volunteer basis. 

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Hypothetically, lets say the Clippers negotiated a buy-out on Madsen’s contract for this up coming season.  Instead of paying him the $2.8M on his contract, they negotiate a buy-out for say $2.3M, saving the Clips $1/2M.  Which number would count against the salary cap, the $2.8M or the $2.3M?

Similarly, couldn't the Knicks negotiate a buy-out on the two remaining years on a contract like Curry or Jeffries, or simply pay him the two remaining years in full during the current season, cut them, eat the applicable luxury tax for this year, all to have additional cap space next summer.  I understand this might cost a lot of $, but is this not a way to free cap space?  In other words, pay the balance remaining on the entire contract NOW, cut him, and have tons of cap space next summer.  Does that work?

Or, what if the Knicks negotiated a deal with, say Curry, to pay the entire balance of his two-year deal this year, coupled with a provision to pay him the veterans minimum next year.  Does this free up cap space for next summer?  Can you accelerate payment of a contract into the current year, to create cap space for next year?  I understand the luxury tax scenario, but if NY wanted cap space, couldn't this happen?