2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule – Central Division


One of the topics expected to be discussed during the pending NBA lockout is the possible revival of The Allan Houston Rule. When a new CBA was agreed upon in 2005, it allowed NBA teams a one-time opportunity to waive a player and not have his contract count against the luxury tax. The released player becomes a free agent but his salary still gets paid and counts against his former team’s salary cap. Ironically enough, Allan Houston was not a victim of The Allan Houston Rule. The Knicks instead decided to waive Jerome Williams.

If the new CBA once again invokes this clause, most teams will probably take advantage since it would save them possibly tens of millions of dollars. To keep up with the times, we will change the name of this from “The Allan Houston Rule” to the “Rashard Arenas Rule” since Rashard Lewis and Gilbert Arenas easily have the two worst contracts in the league. Allow me to break down each team and who would end up being the casualties of this rule. I’ll start with the Southeast Division.

Chicago Bulls:
The Bulls are probably one of the few teams that would pass up this one-time opportunity. They don’t have any terrible contracts and can afford to pay a luxury tax. If Chicago did decide to exercise this clause, Ronnie Brewer’s remaining two years, $9-plus million might be their only option.



Cleveland Cavaliers:
Here is the likely debate: cut Antawn Jamison who is owed more than $15 million this season or Baron Davis who will make $28.8 million over the next two seasons. I think the no-brainer decision would be bidding farewell to Davis especially with top overall pick Kyrie Irving added to the fold at the point along with Ramon Sessions. Plus, Jamison’s expiring contract could actually be a useful trade chip at the deadline for a team looking to dump salary and maybe willing to deal a veteran player in addition to a first-round pick (kind of like the Cavs did with Davis this past season.)

Detroit Pistons:
Rip Hamilton is scheduled to make $26.3 million in the next two seasons and Detroit has reportedly been proactive in trying to find a suitor to take on his contract. This would be the perfect opportunity to get rid of Hamilton who has practically no trade value. The Pistons could also consider Ben Gordon (three years, $37.2 million), Charlie Villanueva (three years, $24.2 million) or Jason Maxiell (two years, $10 million.)



Indiana Pacers:
With T.J. Ford, Mike Dunleavy, Jeff Foster and Jamaal Tinsley’s contracts coming off the books this summer (yes, Indiana was still paying Tinsley last year), the Pacers only somewhat bad contract belongs to James Posey. The veteran small forward is in the final year of his deal which will earn him almost $7 million dollars this season. Indiana is well below the likely salary cap amount so they would not have to pay a luxury tax even if it kept Posey. My guess is it would pass on the “Rashard Arenas Rule,” keep Posey’s expiring contract, and try using it as trade bait during the season.

Milwaukee Bucks:
The 2005 “Allan Houston Rule” could not be used on a player who was acquired after June 21. If that is the case again this year, then the newly acquired trio of Stephen Jackson, Beno Udrih and Shaun Livingston would be immune from being released. That means the likely candidate would be Drew Gooden who is still due more than $26 million over the next four seasons. Would general manager John Hammond want to dump Gooden just a year after signing him to a 5-year deal? Milwaukee doesn’t really have anyone ready to step into the starting power forward spot so they more than likely won’t take advantage of the clause.



Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:

2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
2011 NBA Offseason Winners - 12/23
2011 NBA Offseason Losers - 12/23
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/22
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/20
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/16
Chris Paul Trade Analysis - 12/15
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/14
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/10
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/9
Five Players Likely to Be Traded After NBA Lockout - 7/7
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southwest Division - 7/6
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Northwest Division - 7/5
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Pacific Division - 7/3
Cavaliers-Kings Trade Recap - 7/1
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Atlantic Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Central Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southeast Division - 6/29
2011 NBA Draft Trade Recaps - 6/25
2011 NBA Draft: Bobcats-Kings-Bucks Three-Way Trade - 6/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: How Kyrie Irving Compares to John Wall and Derrick Rose - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Kyrie Irving Ready to be a Franchise Point Guard - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kemba Walker is the Most Undervalued Player in the Draft - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Derrick Williams a Power Forward or Small Forward? - 6/22
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Wait, Kansas' Marcus and Markieff Morris are Twins??? - 6/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Jordan Hamilton Using Yoga to Help His NBA Draft Stock - 6/18
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Tristan Thompson Benefits from Weak Draft Class - 6/17
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kawhi Leonard's Versatility is His Biggest Asset - 6/14
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Chris Singleton is a Lottery Sleeper - 6/13
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Where Does JaJuan Johnson Fit in the NBA? - 6/11
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kentucky's DeAndre Liggins Made Right Decision in Entering NBA Draft - 6/10
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Should a Marijuana Arrest Affect NBA Draft Stock? - 6/9
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Nolan Smith Has Different Identity On and Off Court - 6/7
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Wall Mentoring Darius Morris - 6/5
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Brandon Knight Worth Third Overall Pick? - 6/2
Rumor: Cavs, T-Wolves, Pistons Discussing 3-Way Trade - 5/29
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Josh Selby Putting Kansas Behind Him - 5/28
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Marshon Brooks Rising Up Draft Boards - 5/26
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Alec Burks Connected to Bobcats - 5/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Combine Measurements - 5/21
Thunder Really Likes Kyle Singler? - 5/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Day 1 - 5/20
2011 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/16
2011 NBA Free Agents - 5/3
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