Okur question

[newfan101]

I'm curious as to why I keep hearing Detroit has to clear cap space to re-sign Okur. Is their a loophole in the cap that is not allowing them to resign him for any amount, or is this false information I'm hearing? I always thought a team could re-sign it's own players to any amount, but maybe I'm missing something here.

Will the Suns be faced with a similar situation with Lampe in a couple of years? Or is his situation different from Okur's?

 

[SunsTzu]

Originally posted by newfan101
I'm curious as to why I keep hearing Detroit has to clear cap space to re-sign Okur. Is their a loophole in the cap that is not allowing them to resign him for any amount, or is this false information I'm hearing? I always thought a team could re-sign it's own players to any amount, but maybe I'm missing something here.

Will the Suns be faced with a similar situation with Lampe in a couple of years? Or is his situation different from Okur's?

If a team has a player under contract for 3 years they get that players Bird rights allowing them to re-sign that player to any amount regardless of cap. Okur only had a 2 year contract so the Pistons can only sign him with the cap space they have available.

Lampe has a 3 year contract and a team option for a 4th year I believe so the Suns won't need to worry about losing him.

 

[scotsman13]

the problem is that that okur is a second year player (just like gilbert arenas was last year). you dont pick up bird rights until after they have had a 3 year contract. so for the pistons to resign him they have to be under the cap. and then they can only sign him for the max that they are under the cap.

 

[newfan101]

Doh ... I totally forgot about the Bird rights. Thanks guys.