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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 - Northwest 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.

Denver Nuggets:
The Nuggets would likely jump at the chance to erase last summer's mistake of signing Al Harrington to the full mid-level exception. He is scheduled to make about $27.6 million over the next four years. That is an awful lot to pay someone who averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season and is clearly on the downside of his career. Denver is well under the cap though and getting rid of Harrington would leave them without a power forward. They could instead cut Kosta Koufos who is guaranteed $2.2 million this season in the final guaranteed year of his rookie contract.

Minnesota Timberwolves:
The 2005 Allan Houston Rule stated that a player acquired after June 21 could not be released. If that stipulation remained this time around, then newly acquired Brad Miller would be immune to this clause. Since the Timberwolves are not near the luxury tax, they likely pass on this one-time opportunity unless they look to cut Darko Milicic (three years, about $15.7 million remaining) or Nikola Pekovic (two years, almost $9 million left).

Oklahoma City Thunder:
The Thunder have created the blueprint on how to build a NBA franchise and not overspend on players. Still, they would probably consider cutting one of two players: Nate Robinson or B.J. Mullens. Robinson is in the final year of his contract that will net him $4.5 million despite the fact that he'll likely be the fourth point guard on the depth chart behind Russell Westbrook, Eric Maynor and 2011 first-round pick, Reggie Jackson.

As for Mullens, he is only slated to make about $1.3 million in 2011-12 and about $2.2 million in 2012-13. However, he has also fallen to fourth on the center depth chart behind Kendrick Perkins, Nazr Mohammed and Cole Aldrich. Plus, Mullens has not shown the development in his two seasons in the league that Oklahoma City would have hoped for.

Portland Trail Blazers:
You would have to assume Portland's front office would think long and hard about dumping Brandon Roy who is guaranteed more than $49 million over the next three seasons but is a shadow of his former self due to chronic knee issues. It would be a difficult decision to make but it would save the Blazers a ton of money. If Roy's health is deemed OK and he is not released, Portland likely passes on the rule since it does not have any terrible contracts.

Mustafa 09-08-2012 05:32 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.81 (total posts: 1)

I have watched a few Hoya games the last few years, and have seen Summers play a bit. When wahcnitg him, he looked like he was on an NBA level. He is a poised defender and has a great post up game. I have also seen him get a lot of praise from announcers about his NBA readiness. He should go now, so there is no chance he can ruin it, for example if he got injured next year if he stayed, he would get drafted a lot later.

Lisa 09-07-2012 07:13 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.12 (total posts: 2)

Why does this have to be the ONLY rleialbe source? Oh well, gj!

Ebru 09-07-2012 05:19 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.28 (total posts: 1)

I think that this is how it should be done. If you rellay believe you are a great player out of high school then go to the NBA, but if you go to college you have to stay for at least two years. Colleges spend tons of money on recruiting and then there players are one and done.

BigBlueFan 08-15-2012 08:49 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.59 (total posts: 2)

Never Mind somehow I missed him.

BigBlueFan 08-15-2012 08:48 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.59 (total posts: 2)

Hey Walt are you forgeting Anthony Davis???

Logan 08-09-2012 11:34 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.205 (total posts: 1)

Gonna do one for dwight?

Jay 07-28-2012 04:30 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.114 (total posts: 1)

I know that Ginobili is going back to the spurs but to have him 7th behind Iguodala, Smith and Jefferson is the dumbest thing I've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!! This the same guy who tore threw the Team USA defense of James, Durant, and Bryant....

Jim Z. 07-23-2012 08:15 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.221 (total posts: 1)

Mid first round pick? The Sixers are going to be a playoff team next year.

Miguel 07-23-2012 12:08 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.236 (total posts: 1)

How are the lakers not a winner? Steve Nash brings them to at least championship contender which they weren't a year ago. They also picked up Antwan Jamison for the league minimum which will give their front court a legitament reserve. One more good move could make them the favorites over OKC.

CJ 07-23-2012 07:44 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 1)

I believe you are the only on one the planet that thinks Dallas didn't completely fail in this offseason. They basically rolled the dice and crapped out.

Try mixing in a little reality with your opinions once in a while, but it's your site so we get what we pay for I guess.

Geiger 07-21-2012 09:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.110 (total posts: 1)

While Houston did have bad signings and a suspect draft, the team did what it could to set its self up for the free agency period next year..Asik has shown signs of being a solid big Guy(as you fail to mention his MPG) and Lin, while being highly overrated, is a big name that will attract a player like JSmith, Harden, Bynum etc. I don't like their moves as of right now, but with two lottery picks and possibly two Max contracts signing on this might be one of the better offseasons of all time.

Love the site, keep it up.

Random bypasser 07-19-2012 12:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.60 (total posts: 2)

Also the nuggets need a star and Howard would be a perfect fit for them and they have shooters around him and they could still use their amnesty on Richardson

Random bypasser 07-19-2012 12:52 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.60 (total posts: 2)

Wouldnt it make sense 4 the nuggets to trade for dwight howard

Nuggets trade
Wilson Chandler
Andre Miller
JaVale McGee
2014 1st round pick
2015 1st round pick
2015 2nd round pick
2017 1st round pick

Magic trade
Dwight Howard
J.J. Redick
Jason Richardson

This makes sense because the nuggets drafted Evan Fournier(SG/SF) and Quincy Miller(SF) and have Jordan Hamilton(SF/SG) and Julian Stone(PG)(who the team is really high on) waiting in the wings. It also allows the magic to dump bad salary(Richardson,Redick) and still get some great players. Win win situation.

eli 07-12-2012 11:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx.133 (total posts: 1)

dont the wolves own one more 1st rounder from the jazz from the Al Jefferson trade?

Mike 07-10-2012 09:58 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.150 (total posts: 1)

No mention of Ray Ray to the Heat???

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2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22

2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25

2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG

2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23

2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)

2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports

2010-11 NBA Season Previews

2009 NBA Draft Grades

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22

2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 22

2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21

Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20

NFL Picks - Feb. 3

2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

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