[rtbtParticipant]

Some NBA teams, such as Portland and San Antonio, frequently draft European players and make little or no attempt to sign them and I often wondered why. I just learned something new today that might shine some light on their strategy. Check this out.

The league’s collective bargaining agreement apparently allows teams to negotiate with their first-rounders who play three years for non-NBA teams, post-draft, as if they are free agents.

For example, San Antonio drafted Tiaggo Splitter in 2007 who is considered one of the best big men in Europe. Reporters wrote several articles saying Splitter will never come over because first round draft choices can only get $500,000 for a buyout of their European contract, plus they’re limited to the rookie salary scale. I think the $500,000 buyout is an idiotic rule, the NBA should eliminate ceilings on all buyout offers.

Anyway, now that Splitter’s played 3 seasons in Europe, San Antonio is no longer bound by the $500,000 buyout limit and the rookie salary scale. In terms of a financial offer, they can treat Splitter as if he was a FREE Agent.

Does anyone have a copy of the Collective Bargaining Agreement so this can be confirmed?

[joecheck88Participant]

But after that 3 year period, do they still own his rights? Can any team try to sign him? I don’t know the answers so if anyone does, thanks.

[joecheck88Participant]

Oh ok, so now, if san Antonio was willing, they could offer him more than he is making in Europe. I dont know if they would do that but he is supposed to be a top 5 talent in that draft.

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

I read about this rule b4
I think it was the reason why ESPN expecting Rubio to come to the NBA in 2012 not in 2011 as he can get more money

[rtbtParticipant]

trinajoe, I believe San Antonio can offer Splitter any amount they could offer any other free agent under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. It depends upon San Antonio’s cap room and I don’t know what their situation is.

I’m not an expert on this but I think the answer to your question is yes.

[rtbtParticipant]

trinajoe, that’s a very good question. The team that drafted the player still retains sole bargaining rights, but now they can negotiate a contract as if he were a free agent.

In this particular case, that means San Antonio is no longer limited to offering Splitter only the rookie salary for a first round draft choice.

[NashyMingParticipant]

Basically, the team can offer whatever they can offer to any free agent to an unsigned 1st round pick that has been playing oversea for more than 3 years.

The key is that if a team is over cap, it can only use the MLE to sign him at max. If the team is under cap (let’s say 8 mil under), then the team can only sign the player with a first year salary of 8mil. It is the same way as how team would deal with free agent except the unsigned 1st round pick can only try this with the team owning his right.

Since the Spurs would be over cap (according to reports), they can only offer full MLE to Splitter at best while Splitter could probably get more than MLE in Europe. That’s why there are speculation that they may trade away Splitter.

That’s why some speculation suggested that Rubio may stay in Europe for 3 years.

[rtbtParticipant]

realgmbakax, I had to laugh when you wrote, “the team can only sign the player with a first year salary of 8million”.

This is not a reflection on you but a comment on modern life and how we value money.

“Only …….8 Million”! [LOL]

[Author]

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