RealGM

A league source says the NBA has informed Dallas that if Jerry Stackhouse is traded and subsequently waived by the New Jersey Nets, he can not be re-signed by the Mavericks.

"The league has taken Stackhouse out of the deal," the source said. "They said, 'He can be in the trade, but he can't go back to Dallas after that."'

The willingness of Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to include Stackhouse in the trade was based on his knowledge that New Jersey would immediately buy him out of his contract, which would allow Stackhouse to re-sign with Dallas after 30 days.

It was Stackhouse's brazen response to the potential trade on Wednesday that first put the league on notice: "I get 30 days to rest, then I'll be right back,'' Stackhouse told The Associated Press on Wednesday in response to the proposed trade. "I ain't going nowhere."

MagicalMan wrote:its fair because they're blatantly exploiting a loophole.

Milan24 wrote:Does anyone else see this as a potential lawsuit against the league from the players association?

I don't know the exact wording of the rule but it seams that if a player is not aloud to resign with a team that traded him for 30 days then after that 30 days he should be able to sign with whom ever he wishes. Whether if it was prearranged or not.

Obviously the league is saying this because of Stack running his mouth but I am not sure of the legal footing in this case.

23. Do players and teams ever have under-the-table agreements? What happens when the league finds out about them? Is this what happened with the Timberwolves and Joe Smith?

If a team makes a direct agreement with a player that is not reported to the league, the penalties can be even harsher than those described in question number 22. Such a violation is considered by the league to be among the most serious a team can commit. Again, the league will investigate any allegations of wrongdoing. A violation can result in a fine up to $5,000,000, forfeiture of draft picks, voiding the player's contract(s), and/or the suspension for up to one year of any team personnel who were involved. In addition, the player himself can be fined up to $100,000, and prohibited from ever signing with that team.

This is what happened in 2000 with Joe Smith and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Smith left the Philadelphia 76ers in 1999 (following the lockout) to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves for their $1.75 million Mid-Level exception. They made an under-the-table agreement that Smith would play under three consecutive one-year contracts at below market value, and the Timberwolves would reward him by using their Bird rights to sign him to a huge contract beginning with the 2001-02 season. Unfortunately, they reduced this agreement to writing, and the written agreement eventually found its way into the league's hands.

It had long been rumored that such under-the-table agreements existed, but this was the first time the league had hard evidence in the form of a signed contract. The league responded by fining the team the maximum (at the time) $3.5 million, taking away their next five draft picks (two were later returned), and voiding Smith's then-current contract. Owner Glen Taylor and GM Kevin McHale also agreed to leaves of absence (in lieu of suspensions, at which time the fifth draft pick was returned). Most interestingly, the league also voided Smith's two previous, already-completed contracts. This essentially stripped the Timberwolves of any Bird rights to Smith, preventing them from re-signing Smith for any salary above the minimum (they had already used their other exceptions). Smith left Minnesota and signed with the Detroit Pistons, but returned to Minnesota in 2001.

Carl_Monday wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



It's called "Circumventing the CBA". Just like the Joe Smith debacle. Also, there's a provision in the CBA that allows the commisioner to punish teams that try to circumvent the intent of the CBA, or something to that effect. It's loosely written on purpose, and is entirely legal on the League's part to act in this manner.

dacher wrote:Unfair, when Gasol to Lakers for a bag of nuts is fair.

Kobe D wrote:Stern or Stu Jackson should take away some draft picks too. Teach Cuban that his shady business dealings won't fly in the NBA.