No problem including Stackhouse, per Stern and Cuban

[FGump]

In the Dallas paper today, Stern basically said there's nothing wrong with Stackhouse being included in the Kidd deal, directly contradicting ESPN's supposed quotes to the contrary.

The commissioner said during his All-Star news conference that the league is not blocking the inclusion of Jerry Stackhouse in any trade for Kidd, but that a thorough review of any deal is a virtual certainty.

"Even though I don't want to give Stackhouse and the Mavs their defense too easily, things happen," Stern said. "He certainly is allowed to do that in terms of going back after 30 days. The big issue is whether there is an agreement to do it. And speculating about it doesn't make it an agreement, even if you wish he hadn't spoken."

Stern reiterated that Stackhouse can be involved in the trade. He just emphasized that there can be no prearranged deal.

Cuban also weighed in, saying virtually the same thing: if they trade for Kidd, they'd have no problem with using Stackhouse.

Cuban confirmed that the league spoke to the Mavericks, as well as the Nets, to make sure both sides were adhering to the league's guidelines in the wake of Stackhouse being quoted as saying that he wasn't going anywhere and that he would return to Dallas 30 days after the Nets bought out his contract after completion of the trade.

"They called up and said, 'OK, you know the rules, right?' " he said. "Where does Stack come off [talking]? Well, he thought the deal was done, and he thought they were going to release him, so he said what he said. It's not that unusual.

"It only would have been an issue if something bad had been going on. They can look at whatever they want. There's no issue. Everybody was speculating. The best we can surmise is that other GMs around the league didn't want it to happen and started putting their two cents in."

Thorn as I'm sure you already know has said much the same thing: no problem.

We don't know if Kidd will end up in Dallas, but the one and only issue seems to be a disagreement on what's a fair way to substitute for D George's refusal to be traded.

[Adam1221]

Wether Stack can be in the trade or not was never the issue.
Its just that Dallas will likley be prohibited from signing him after we buy out his contract which is a deal killer for them.

[eagles nut]

I'm thinking Thorn's former relationship with Stern is helping matters here.

[Serpo]

Even with Stackhouse it comes down to George , KvH or Hassel .

Since George is not willing to give in righ now , either Cuban pays Luxury tax and S&T KvH or we take on Hassels longer contract.

[FGump]

Wether Stack can be in the trade or not was never the issue.

Its just that Dallas will likley be prohibited from signing him after we buy out his contract which is a deal killer for them.

Nope. Stern and Cuban are essentially telling us that NJ and Dallas have done nothing wrong, and that if they do the deal, the Mavs will be able to resign Stackhouse.

Stern: "He certainly is allowed to do that in terms of going back after 30 days. The big issue is whether there is an agreement to do it. And speculating about it doesn't make it an agreement, even if you wish he hadn't spoken."

In essence, Stern says just because Stackhouse thinks he'll go back to Dallas, does NOT mean any kind of actual agreement has been made, and therefore there's no problem if it happens.

Cuban: ""It only would have been an issue if something bad had been going on."

[Sharcm1]

THis deal might as well be dead. why would the nets want kvh and hassel or kvh and some other retired dude. stupidest thing I ever heard of. kill the deal pick it up again at the end of the season.

[Rand10]

As long as Stack can be included and return to Dallas I think this deal is going to happen. Dallas would need to sign KVH in George's place, which would increase our luxury tax hit. However, the $3 million cash could be taken out and Dallas would only be paying about $2 million more than they would have in the original deal.

[Road2Finals]

I'm a bit confused as to Stackhouse's situation in the deal. Would this be a buy out or would he be waived? This has salary implications. I've seen conflicting information as to Stack remaining salary, and read somewhere that he is only guaranteed 2-3 mil remaining on his contract. Other places I've seen 13 Mil over two years. Anyone know for certain?

[Netaman]

I'm a bit confused as to Stackhouse's situation in the deal. Would this be a buy out or would he be waived? This has salary implications. I've seen conflicting information as to Stack remaining salary, and read somewhere that he is only guaranteed 2-3 mil remaining on his contract. Other places I've seen 13 Mil over two years. Anyone know for certain?

Here is my best guess based on general logic. There is no way the Nets are going to trade for him, buy him out, and assume his dead cap space for 2 more years.

I read, like you, that only 2-3 million of his current deal is guaranteed which would match the cash that would be exchanging hands in the proposed trade. If the Nets waive Stackhouse, they have to pay him his guaranteed money, however once his claimed they are off the hook for the remaining duration of the contract, that responsibility would go to the team who he signs on with (hence why other teams wouldn't want to claim him).

So basically under this scenario, for the Nets, Stackhouse would be total window dressing. They would get him, cut him, and pay him with the money that Cuban gives them. Plus he wouldn't be on the team's salary cap in the future. His presence on the Nets would simply be a dead figure against this years salary cap.