The economy at large is a bigger discussion. I have been considering what the ramifications of a smaller cap would be.
When does the current CBA expire? edit: Salary cap-wise it looks like summer 2011 is an option year for the owners NBA Player's Association
The ramifications would be the mid to low range free agents would get squeezed. So your Kwame Brown's and Amir Johnson's of the world would take a haircut salary wise.
Thanks for actually finding and using my site as a reference! Continue to check it out more, I'm working on a lockout piece next. The Official Clay Bennett Hate Group
Yeah, that's what I am talking about. Salaries (max, rookie, mid level) are set at a % of BRI (Basketball related income), as is the cap, tax threshold etc. If there is a fall in revenue, then suddenly your max players occupy a larger % of your cap space, and could push a non-tax team, into tax territory, adding insult to injury. Rising salaries (contractually bound) Falling revenue Tax We might see players jump to Europe if the money is right. This is going to make a big dent in all of the major sports if trends continue, but particularly basketball and hockey, which have international players, and competitors in international leagues.
I find it funny, that even though rumors are happening, fans of their respective teams still want a killer deal. While the owners & Gms just want to cut money.
Did anyone see Stern and Billy Hunter answering questions yesterday at the All Star weekend forum about the cap and the new bargining agreement? Apparently they are talking about possibly opening the agreement up early. They are already looking at certain things regarding the changing economic environment. Someone asked the question does Stern have to protect the owners. He responded basically by saying No, all of the owners understand what we are dealing with. Things will be very interesting.
