One of the topics expected to be discussed during the NBA Lockout is the possible revival of The Allan Houston Rule. When a new CBA was agreed upon in 2005, it allowed NBA teams a one time opportunity to waive a player and not have his contract count against the luxury tax teams have to pay if their team salary exceeds a pre-determined amount set by the league. The released player becomes a free agent but his salary still gets paid and counts against his former team’s salary cap. Ironically enough, Allan Houston was not a victim of The Allan Houston Rule. The Knicks instead decided to waive Jerome Williams.
If the new CBA once again invokes this clause, most teams will probably take advantage since it would save them possibly tens of millions of dollars. To keep up with the times, we will change the name of this from “The Allan Houston Rule” to the “Rashard Arenas Rule” since Rashard Lewis and Gilbert Arenas easily have the two worst contracts in the league. Allow me to break down each team and who would end up being the casualties of this rule. Here is the Pacific Division.
Golden State Warriors:
The Warriors might be tempted to release Andris Biedrins who is scheduled to make nine million dollars in each of the next three seasons. However, that would leave the team even thinner up-front. Charlie Bell would be the other option as he is due more than four million dollars in 2011-2012 but only appeared in nineteen games this past season.
Los Angeles Clippers:
The Clips aren’t currently near the luxury tax but could be once they re-sign DeAndre Jordan to an extension and use their mid-level exception. Ryan Gomes was serviceable for L.A. last year but is due four-million dollars in each of the next two seasons. Assuming the Clippers use their MLE to find an up-grade at small forward, Gomes could be expendable since Al-Farouq Aminu should get better in his second season.
Los Angeles Lakers:
Buh-bye Luke Walton. Despite averaging less than two points per game during the past two seasons, Walton will make nearly $11.7 million in the next two seasons. With solid depth at small forward in Lamar Odom, Ron Artest (or whatever the hell he is calling himself these days), Matt Barnes, and Devin Ebanks, there is no reason to keep Walton around.
Phoenix Suns:
Assuming the Suns decline the $18 million team option on Vince Carter, they would likely turn their attention to one of two players they just signed a year ago. Josh Childress will earn $27 million over the next four years but never found his groove in his first season in the desert averaging just five points and three boards per game. The other option would be Hakim Warrick who will earn almost $14 million during the next three seasons but could be the third power forward on the depth chart behind Channing Frye and first round pick Markieff Morris.
Sacramento Kings:
Since the Kings are still well under the cap, I doubt they would cut anybody loose since the luxury tax does not effect them. However, Francisco Garcia is guaranteed to make almost $12 million during the next two seasons. Sacramento does have solid depth on the wing with Tyreke Evans, newly acquired John Salmons, and Marcus Thornton (assuming he re-signs with the team.) If the the Kings feel Garcia will be the odd man out, he could be let loose.
MY OTHER ALL HOUSTON RULE BREAKDOWNS:
ATLANTIC DIVISION TEAMS
CENTRAL DIVISION TEAMS
SOUTHEAST DIVISION TEAMS
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a fomer contributor at The Washington Times Communities.
You can follow him on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB.