Prior to the start of the 2011/2012 NBA season, the league ratified a new CBA under which teams could rid themselves of a bad player contract. The amnesty clause allows for teams to waive one player's contract and not have it count against the cap nor pay any luxury tax on that salary. According to the CBA, the amnesty clause may be used one time on a player signed prior to the 2011/2012 season. Teams were not forced to use the clause before the start of the current season as the proverbial "get out of jail free" card remains in play through the 2015/2016 campaign.
Let's check in and see where the players who were amnestied back in December are now:
- Baron Davis: The former UCLA star was amnestied by the Cavaliers, acquired by the Knicks and has not played yet this season due to injury.
- Chauncey Billups: After being sent to New York in the Carmelo Anthony trade, Billups was later amnestied by the Knicks, acquired by the Clippers and is currently averaging 14.8 PPG and 4.1 APG.
- Charlie Bell: Bell is currently playing in the Lega Basket Serie A with the Pepsi Caserta after being amnestied by the Warriors.
- James Posey: The former Heat small forward was amnestied by the Pacers and is currently a free agent.
- Gilbert Arenas: Hibachi was amnestied by the Magic and will be hosting an open workout in Los Angeles later this week with hopes of securing an NBA contract.
- Travis Outlaw: The former Starkville High School graduate was amnestied by the Nets, later acquired by the Kings where he is averaging 3.1 PPG and 1.5 RPG in limited minutes.
- Brandon Roy: With injuries making his contract an untenable situation for the Trail Blazers, Portland amnestied Roy, leading to his retirement.
I don’t believe the Pistons amnestied Rip Hamilton, I think they just ate the rest of his contract.
Thanks for the correction.
Richard Hamilton was bought out, not amnestied.
Thanks for the correction, we’ve changed it accordingly.
Good post. After the season got underway, I kinda forgot about amnesty. Looks like they have been put to good use so far since most of them don’t even have jobs yet. Great job so far guys.
I more interested in who will be waived under the amnesty clause this summer.
Potential Suns
-Josh Childress
-Hakim Warrik
I somewhat know how the amnesty clause works but not totally. I’m looking for some help. Let’s say a guy with 3 years and 30 mil (10mil yr) left on his contract get amnestied. Some team puts and in high bid of 5mil and win the claim for that player. Are they getting him for just that one season? and he becomes a FA again or is spread out through the 3 years?
My understanding: If a guy with 3/30 left on his deal was amnestied and then claimed, the claiming team would commit to all three years. So if they bid $2MM, they’d commit to paying $2MM EACH of the next three years, leaving his old team on the hook for $8MM each year.
If that amnestied player passes through waivers and becomes a free agent though, you could sign him for just a single season.
— Luke
that makes sense, thank you. nice work on the site by the way. i’m a HUGE fan of MLBTR. I hope this one takes off just as much. if you need a hand with anything let me know