Ruling made in favour of early Bird Rights; New York Knicks the beneficiary – NBA Update
In what is seen by many analysts as a surprise development, it was declared in a meeting between the NBA Players Association and the league on Friday that Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak of the New York Knicks will be able to secure an early Bird and early Bird rights.
Other players who will be benefiting from this decision included the likes of Chauncey Billups from the Los Angeles Clippers and J.J. Hickson of the Portland Trail Blazers. This ruling would allow these players to re sign with their respective teams on a maximum salary for next year.
"Bird and early Bird rights are the lynchpin of our Soft Cap system, and we're pleased that Professor Dam recognized that a player does not forfeit these important rights unless he makes an affirmative decision to sign with a new team as a free agent," Billy Hunter said "Players fought hard for a Collective Bargaining Agreement that allows maximum flexibility for free-agent players while also permitting teams to retain their core free agents, and today's decision affirms both of these important principles."
Arbitrator Kenneth Dam made the decision on Friday and confirmed that all four players being waived off this season will be able to secure early bird rights when they become free agents on July 1.
This would mean that if Billups, Hickson and Lin choose the option of re-signing, their respective organizations can go over the salary cap. In addition to the decision made on Friday, this ruling will stand for future references to help out any player being waived off in the years to come.
Following the decision made on Friday, representatives from NBA have stated that they would appeal against the ruling, but it would not be resolved by the time these players head into free agency in July.
The ruling going in favour of the Bird Rights can be of huge benefit for the Knicks who can now go with the option of resigning Lin, Novak and Landry Fields for $5 million each. Lin and Novak can be re-signed with the Knick depending upon whether 175 percent of their last year was higher income or the average NBA Salary.
Having the option of re acquiring these players also gives the Knicks an addition $3 million to bring in an experienced veteran player. The latest speculations have involved the likes of Steve Nash coming to the ‘Big Apple’ but other options include Andre Miller, Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton.
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