Mavs use amnesty clause, waive FinleyESPN.com news services
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DALLAS -- Michael Finley's final day with the Dallas Mavericks arrived Monday, when the team waived its longtime leader and captain, ESPN.com's Marc Stein has learned.
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Under a one-time amnesty provision in the NBA's new labor contract, the Mavericks saved $51 million in luxury taxes over the next three years by waiving Finley, who would become an unrestricted free agent.
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Finley would still be guaranteed the $51 million left on his contract, plus whatever money he gets from a new team. He wouldn't be able to re-sign with the Mavericks until his original contract expires after the 2007-08 season, when he will be 35.
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Among the teams expected to try to sign Finley are the Suns, Spurs, Heat, Pistons and Nuggets, according to Stein.
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The San Antonio Spurs have just over half of their $5 million mid-level exception remaining to woo Finley, and the top two teams in the East are offering more. The Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons will be offering Finley a contract starting at the full mid-level exception, as will the on-the-rise Denver Nuggets.
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The deadline for taking advantage of the amnesty provision was midnight ET Monday.
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Finley was traded to the Mavericks from Phoenix on Dec. 26, 1996, and is the longest-tenured player on the Dallas roster. He averaged 19.8 points for the Mavericks over 626 games the past 8?seasons.
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The Mavericks reportedly have already found Finley's replacement.
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Reports out of Texas said the Mavericks have reached an oral agreement with veteran swingman Doug Christie on a one-year, $3 million deal. Before Christie officially becomes a Maverick, he must wait seven days to clear waivers, according to league rules.
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Christie was waived Thursday by the Orlando Magic under the same amnesty clause.
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Finley was an All-Star before Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki were, then together that trio became known as the "Big Three" -- taking the Mavericks from being one of the league's worst teams to having at least 50 wins and going to the playoffs four straight seasons. Nash left as a free agent last summer to the Suns.
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In 2001, Finley signed a maximum contract of $100-plus million over seven years. The Mavericks owe him about $16 million for 2005-06, with salaries of roughly $17 million and $18 million over the next two seasons.
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This past season, Finley had some of the lowest averages in his 12 NBA seasons, scoring 15.7 points a game -- his lowest ever in Dallas. He shot 42.7 percent from the field and averaged a career-low 4.1 rebounds.
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Since averaging at least 20 points a game in his first five full seasons in Dallas, Finley's scoring average has dropped each of the last three seasons.
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In June, Finley had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips from his right ankle, which bothered him most of the season and even made him miss 15 games before Christmas. The surgery was successful, and he should be fully recovered by the start of training camp.
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Christie, who played for the Sacramento Kings before being traded to the Magic in January, will still get about $8 million for Orlando. He's also played for the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors, averaging 11.4 points and 1.9 steals per game over his career.
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Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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첫댓글 ㅠㅠ 트레이드을 바랫는데
결국 희생되는 건가.....
이로써 달라스는 올해 사치세와 관련, 8050만불의 샐러리로 사치세를 일단 물게되고 내년에는 모든 FA와 계약하지 않을 경우 5850만불의 샐러리를 보유하게 됩니다. 여전히 사치세는 물게되겠지만 그 액수가 5180만불이나 줄게 되니 어쨌던 필요했던 일인듯합니다.
사치세는 6170만불부터 적용되고 샐러리캡은 4950만불이기 때문에 달라스입장에서는 어떻게던지간에 샐러리를 6170만불 이하로 줄여야될 판이죠.
뭐 예정되었던 일인지라 크게 놀랍지는 않치만.. 핀리의 3점포가 그리울수도 있겠군요. 스택이 잘 해주었으면 합니다.
허걱.. 핀리.. 트레이드 하지 ㅜㅜ
핀리.. 많이 보고싶을듯..;;
뭐...솔직히 얘기하면 달라스는 핀리 없이도 승수가 어느정도 나왓으며 최근에는 확실히 경기력이 많이 처졋습니다. 지난 시즌은 유난히도 기복있는 모습을 많이 보여준거 같아요. 그래서 굳이 돈을 더 ㄴㅐ며 붙잡을 필요가 없겟죠. 아마도 다니엘스나 해리스에게 기회를 많이 줄거 같습니다...주전은 스택이지만요
아 ~ 핀리 트레이드를 바랬는데;; 다른 팀 가서도 변함없는 모습 보여주시길.. 댈러스도 화이팅 !