As we all know there is going to be an amnesty 2.0 clause in the newest CBA (and by the way, I was talking about the amnesty clause way back in June). Before getting into the specifics, lets look at some reason why a team would use it:

• To clear a contract off the payroll to increase cap flexibility. This mostly applies to teams that are either a little over the cap or already under the cap and want create more cap space for a trade or free agent. Examples: The Wizards amnestying Rashard Lewis to create even more cap space for them to use for a trade or free agency. The Cavaliers amnestying Baron Davis to create even more cap space for them to use for a trade or free agency. 

• A team in the luxury tax has a player who doesn't contribute and doesn't want to pay double for this one contract or by amnestying someone it puts them under the tax. Examples: Orlando amnestying Gilbert Arenas so they don't have to pay the extra $20 million in luxury tax (and it would be easier for them to eventually get under the cap without his albatross of a contract). The LA Lakers amnestying Luke Walton because he doesn't play and they can save some money in the luxury tax by amnestying him.

Almost every writer/analyst has been saying that they expect NY to amnesty Balkman. I'm saying hold on, let's look at the numbers. So now look at where we are right now. We are above the cap by like $2 million (assuming it's $58 million) and Balkman makes $1,675,000. We are also not near the luxury tax (assuming it's between $70-$72 million). 

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read this:

http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/33070493?ttag=gen10_on_all_fb_na_txt_0001

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I am talking about the lockout of course!

Before I state my thoughts, check out the optimism oozing from Berger and Sheridan. 

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Most of you already probably know this, but recently the NBA threatened to void all current player contracts if the Player's Union Decertified. (If you don't know, read this: http://www.sbnation.com/2011/8/2/2339838/nba-lockout-lawsuit-david-stern-players-union ).

So you may be asking, what does that mean? I think (I may be wrong tho) it means that every team in the league would have no players and every player would be a free agent. So what does that make? That makes pandemonium!

Hopefully we don't lose a season, but if this were to happen it would be pretty amazing for us.

Obviously this is extremely unlikely but considering the lack of bball talk we have in a lockout, I figured it would be a fun topic to discuss. Build your perfect team (under cap rules)

LETS JUMP 

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Alan Hahn tweeted:

alanhahn Alan Hahn  And Knicks. RT @w_maxey: later indiana pacers - "pritchard a strong candidate for raptors GM job": http://bit.ly/roRwGA 4 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

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link: http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=8103

Part that matters:

For his part, Woodson has moved on, interviewing for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ vacancy. And a source indicates he’ll be in New York early this week to talk with the Knicks about becoming their defensive coordinator, a job that management has mandated coach Mike D’Antoni, entering the final year of his contract, accept for next season.

Read more: http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=8103#ixzz1TnI31PvA

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link: http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knicksblog/knicks_center_jordan_signs_with_OhrZCGlqee3SmyiPMrITPK

With the Knicks’ dearth at center, Jordan is penciled in on the club’s roster for next season. But Jordan wants to get more playing time in case the lockout is extended. The lockout prevented Jordan from playing in the summer league. As Jordan negotiated with European teams, the Knicks were fearful he would sign a pact with no out clause, which could have prevented him from joining the Knicks this season.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knicksblog/knicks_center_jordan_signs_with_OhrZCGlqee3SmyiPMrITPK#ixzz1TFPAlZ7g

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The Pacers are in the process of hiring former Portland GM Kevin Pritchard, according to multiple sources.

Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.asp?lc=NBA&c=1&TEAM_ID=&PLAYER_ID=&hd=20110708#STORY_34053#ixzz1RWvmB3C5

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Patrick in New York:
You reported earlier this week that free agent point guard Julyan Stone would be meeting with the Knicks front office on Thursday. Did the Knicks sign him. Is he getting a training camp invite? Alex Kennedy:
Stone met with the Knicks on Thursday morning, and they told him not to go overseas. They want him to come to their training camp whenever the lockout ends and they told him that he'll have a legitimate chance to make their team. Stone is going to wait out the work stoppage and then see what happens during training camp.


Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=1730#ixzz1Qygg89Ds

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The new CBA can greatly change this team's outlook and future. In a huge way.

I made this point in a comment, but I honestly think it's worth a fanpost.

You may be thinking, why pray for an amnesty contract when we have no bad contracts? Why want to eliminate the MLE?

The answer, after you jump.

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The Knicks have had preliminary discussions with the Minnesota Timberwolves about a trade for point guard Jonny Flynn.

No formal deal is in place, but the Knicks are debating whether Flynn, the sixth overall pick of the 2009 draft would be a viable option to back up Chauncey Billups for at least one season. Flynn has become expendable now that the Wolves have signed Spanish guard Ricky Rubio, who was taken one pick ahead of Flynn.

Toney Douglas would likely be the player traded for Flynn.

Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.asp?lc=&c=1&TEAM_ID=13&PLAYER_ID=&hd=20110619#STORY_33635#ixzz1PjnaxcqT

via Hoopsworld/ Frank Isola NY Daily News

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Chad Ford just tweeted:

chadfordinsider Chad Ford  Bismack Backlash: In wake of shaky Euro workout, Biyombo now offering to work out for few teams in the US - Pistons & Knicks both got calls

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According to SI.com:

Don't be surprised if one or more of the following teams move up in the draft: Golden State (No. 11), Houston (14), New York (17), and Charlotte (which a source says is considering packaging its Nos. 9 and 19 picks to move up). SI.co

Let's Jump!

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http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2011/6/8/2213545/knicks-d-league-erie-bayhawks

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What moves do you want to see us make so we can be better next year?

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According to Alex Kennedy Denver is going to attempt to persuade Melo to re-sign one last time. I know it's a long shot, but I still think there's a chance. Personally I feel there's a higher chance Melo re-signs with Denver than agrees to a trade to the Nets (despite what the media says).

source: http://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA

btw Kennedy has quietly become HoopsWorld's best writer (since Travis HEath left) IMO.

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Just hear me out before you call me crazy, yes I understand what Chauncey brings to this team and that we need him to continue doing well, but no one can deny his shooting has been horrible this year. Well apparently his wrist injury 

His injury typically calls for between four and six weeks of rest, but, Billups said, "I don't have that kind of time."

 

"It's quieted down a little bit for me, which I wanted, but it's probably something that I'm going to deal with it most of the season," Billups said.

 

"Sometimes, if it's really hurting, maybe I don't shoot as much," Billups said. "I'm just going to have to find ways to work around it."

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First of all I wrote this as a comment, but I think it's deserving of a fanpost.

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Okay I know both of these ideas have been greatly talked about here, but I want to add to the current thoughts. We all know Chauncey is looking slow and has had horrible shot selection so far, and I wanted to point out how much this looks like 2 years ago when Allen Iverson was on the team and he was looking slow and had a huge expiring deal, we hit a home run in a trade. Now ironically the situation is similar, but this time Billups is the neg impact player. Now I love Chauncey, but if he doesn't pick up his game (and I don't mean trying to drop 30 points, I mean playing how he should... passing the ball more, not shooting every shot he wants and not getting costly technicals) (and it isn't all his fault, his Playing time management has been horrendous, Karl, I'm looking at you) we should seriously entertain trading him. One trade idea that comes to mind is Udrih and Landry for Billups. It allows the Kings to get the perfect fit at PG next to Tyreke and Denver gets a good back up PG and a good, young PF. I'm not saying trade Chauncey, I'm just saying.. don't overvalue him and if you get a good offer, take it... cuz unless he's just in major slump (sadly doubtful, considering his pre-season and World Championship play) he is just taking Ty's minutes.

Now onto a similar topic, JR and his playing time. Now unlike CB, Smith has gotten his minutes drastically cut (playing only one minutes in the last three games, are you kidding me Karl?) and there's no point in having a talented player sit on the bench. Yes JR has some problems, but so does every player. If Karl isn't gonna use him, he should tell the FO so they could get a player he would actually play. Now I don't want to trade JR b/c I think he's a valuable part of this team, but if he isn't gonna play, then you gotta trade him. I posted this a comment, but some names I thought of are Anthony Randolph, Hasheem Thabeet, Tyrus Thomas, Jason Thompson (with Garcia, would be ideal IMO), Marcin Gortat, Amir Johnson (ugly contract), Posey and McRoberts, Brendan Wright, Brad Miller, Jermaine Oneil, Taj Gibson and Andris Biedrins… The only problem is that if you get a big for JR, then when Kenyon and Bird are back, there will be a major log jam at the Power Forward and Center positions... 

I think considering our schedule and injuries, 6-6 isn't horrible... it's just frustrating considering we could've easily won 5 of those games (Dallas Melo missed the Game winner, Chicago and Portland could've been tied at the buzzer, and New Orleans and Phoenix could've been beaten had we made some better shots down the stretch)... if Denver can improve on it's closing out of games then we'll be fine... but I think once we get Bird/Kenyon back it will be easier  to close out games mainly b/c it gives us more rebounding and defense which is key to closing out games, along with less foul trouble for our players and less fatigue for our bigs... so Idk how the schedule looks coming up, but seeing as how hard it was to begin with, it has to get easier at some point... all it takes is winning three games in a row and Denver Stiffs will stop panicking and jump back on the contender thoughts about this team (and we are contenders, IMO). 

Okay, so thoughts.. opinions...

After they reached an agreement, Houston will apparently not sign Eric Dampier.
Source: http://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen#

I don't know about you guys, but Denver should definitely jump on this. I know we've been playing great so far, but it wouldn't hurt to get a true big man to add to our team. But I wouldn't be surprised to see Portland or OKC signed him. What do you guys think about Damp?

I know he isn't that good, but he's got a big body and some experience. I think he could be extremely useful for Denver in the first half of the season (or how ever long Bird and/or Kenyon are out)... Without Kenyon, we could start him with Nene. I know that it was originally between Miami, Houston and Denver... but then Miami never made an offer, Houston pulled their offer/ never made an offer (reports vary), then it looked like he was headed to Milwaukee but then they signed someone else, now he's supposedly talking to Toronto... what gives? is he like asking for a lot of money?

I think Denver should offer him a contract, either the min or BAE... seems win-win for both sides... Denver gets a big to get minutes early on and he gets PT on a contender.

Just saying... also I'm surprised OKC and NO haven't been mentioned.. IMO they'd be ideal places for him.

Source: Hochman's Twitter

 

Benjamin Nochman: respected Den asst coach tim grgurich "unlikely" to return this yr, source said. grg could still be with team in some capacity 

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This is good news for Nuggets fans. If it's true, b/c obviously it should only be taken with a grain of salt but it looks like Denver's new FO isn't stupid and won't trade Melo. Basically, according to Broussard, Denver didn't like any offers (and they shouldn't) and are gonna try to convince Melo to stay with their play and potentially trading for another star (YAY!!!) and that Denver would only trade Melo for Lopez (and NJ wouldn't do that b/c without Lopez, Melo doesn't re-sign). Then he talks about how it's crazy not to trade Noah for Melo b/c it's not like you can pay Rose, Boozer, Melo and Noah. Finally (this is obvious) NY can't trade for him due to a lack of picks (and IMO, lack of enough young talent).

Also I think once Melo gets back with the team, he'll realize he truly doesn't want to go (if he ever wanted).

I'm not gonna lie, this made me so happy. I know you shouldn't listen to ESPN, but if Chris is writing about Melo potentially staying, it wouldn't help them get views/reads... so he wouldn't say it unless he was told this. Also this is pretty much saying what I've been (and some other Stiffs readers, while the majority panicked and lost faith in Melo/ Denver's FO competence) saying, Denver shouldn't be pressured into trading Carmelo b/c they won't get any value for him now and they have so much leverage b/c he won't leave that money on the table. Pretty much, you heard it here first (well actually in my other posts/comments) but Carmelo is going to stay in Denver for a while.

The Tweets:

• @Chris_Broussard NYK lack of draft pics hurts chances. Gotta get third team involved. 31 minutes ago
• @Chris_Broussard One exec made great point that u can't pay big $ to Rose, Booz, Melo & Noah anyway, so why not move Noah. 32 minutes ago
• @Chris_Broussard Sum execs baffled by CHI's refusal 2 part with Noah 4 Melo. 33 minutes ago
• @Chris_Broussard In meantime, Den will keep listening to offers. Nuggets wanted Lopez from NJ, but Nets know they got no chance of keeping Melo w/out Brook. 37 minutes ago
• @Chris_Broussard Nuggets hope a hot start will convince Melo to stay - or maybe they can trade for another star that will keep Melo in Den. 39 minutes ago
• @Chris_Broussard Rt now looks like Den will bring Melo to camp unless someone blows it away with a trade offer. 

Seven-year NBA veteran Melvin Ely will join the Nuggets, according to agent Byron Irvin. Ely, who has career averages of 5.6 ppg and 3.7 rpg, is about to sign a non-guaranteed contract with Denver, which would become his sixth team in the league. "This is a great opportunity for Melvin and he's ready for the challenge," Irvin said. HoopsHype.com

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Well now that JR Smith's court case is now closed, it looks like the Clippers have emerged as a candidate for JR Smith. The Fanhouse article talks about the police case being closed, but at the end it says the Clippers are a potential destination and have shown interest in him throughout the summer. Now idk what they'd offer, because outside of Kaman and Jordan (well and Griffin and Gordon, but lets be real) there's nothing on that roster I think is worth trading JR for. 

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/09/20/denver-police-close-case-involving-j-r-smith/