@HowardBeckNYT: Exclusive: NBPA files appeal seeking early-Bird rights for Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak. Huge for Knicks if union wins. http://t.co/2XyHAbhE
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/15/sports/basketball/union-seeks-clarity-on-bird-rights-knicks-could-benefit.html?_r=1&smid=tw-share
The N.B.A. players union is asking an arbitrator to clarify certain free-agent rights in a case that could immeasurably benefit the Knicks this summer, according to several people involved in the process. The case concerns what are known as Bird rights, which allow a player to re-sign with his team without regard to the salary cap. The league contends those rights are lost when a player changes teams through waivers. The union is challenging that interpretation.
If the union prevails, the Knicks would be able to re-sign both Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak, their top free agents, despite cap constraints. They would also retain a $5 million salary slot — known as the midlevel exception — for use on another player, possibly J. R. Smith, who can opt out of his deal.
But if the union’s challenge fails, the Knicks will probably lose Novak and possibly Smith when free agency opens in July. And they will have little ability to sign a significant free agent like point guard Steve Nash once they re-sign Lin.
The union, which filed a letter Monday seeking arbitration, hopes to have the matter settled by the time free agency opens July 1. The union and the league must first select an arbitrator.
The case could also affect J. J. Hickson of the Portland Trail Blazers and Chauncey Billups of the Los Angeles Clippers.
At issue is whether a player retains his Bird rights when he changes teams through a waiver claim, as Lin, Novak, Hickson and Billups did this season.
The union contends that a player claimed on waivers should retain all contractual benefits, as he does when he is traded. The league disagrees, citing a specific clause in the labor agreement that indicates Bird rights are lost when a player is waived, even if another team claims him.
“We are confident that our interpretation of the agreement is correct,” said Mike Bass, an N.B.A. spokesman.
The union declined to comment.
Will there be "divine intervention" to save the Knicks? Also, what of all the times this has come up in the past?
Will be interesting to see how this plays out. I'd guess the Union's leading the charge becasue it limits the amount of money that a team can pay their members. For the teams, like for instance the Raptors, who may wish to compete with Knicks for the services of Nash, or Lin it would no doubt be a blow if the rules were to be "reinterpreted" to help the Knicks, in this situation.