siro wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
If he retires, doesn't the contract still count against the cap? I thought when Allan Houston retired his $$ still counted till his contract was over.
The CBA is a little confusing but the Heat could get a huge break if Shaq is medically unfit and is forced to retire due to injury. The contract might count but the Heat could be granted an injury exception for 50% of Shaq's money this offseason, which is ~$10 million, to sign a free agent.
If he retires this year in-season, his money counts this year, but as of next year (1 calender year from whenever he retires) it would be removed for the last 2 years.