Part 1: Projected Team-by-Team Look at Possible New Amnesty Rule Cuts

The latest reports covering the NBA lockout say that the owners have supposedly agreed to the inclusion of an amnesty clause in the new collective bargaining agreement talks.

With the amnesty clause, NBA teams can choose one player that they would like to waive, buyout the remainder of the contract, and it would have no effect on the salary cap.

If the owners win out (versus the Players Union), and the NBA decides to install a hard cap model in the next collective bargaining agreement talks, then teams may have to use the amnesty clause on well-established veterans in order to fit under the required salary cap number.

The following slides show both “likely” and “possible” amnesty related cuts for the first 15 NBA teams if the rule is agreed upon in the next collective bargaining agreement talks.

Let's take a look!

Atlanta Hawks

Likely: Marvin Williams (2 years, $15,787,500 plus Player Option of $7,500,000)

Possible: Joe Johnson (5 years, $107,333,589)

The Atlanta Hawks can look to clear some cap space in order to bring in a true center that they have needed for some time know in order to allow Al Horford to play at the power forward position. Williams has disappointed since being drafted ahead of Chris Paul back in 2005, but has shown that he can be effective of the bench in a backup role.

Boston Celtics

Likely: Rasheed Wallace (1 year, $6,790,640), Jermaine O’Neal (1 year, $6,226,000)

Possible: Kevin Garnett (1 year, $21,200,000)

The Boston Celtics need to find a way to rebuild their team as two of the Big Three (Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett) are getting older. They can remove the remaining numbers on Rasheed Wallace’s contract, or can send veteran big man Jermaine O’Neal out, but are thin at the center position since dealing Kendrick Perkins and Semih Erden last season.

Charlotte Bobcats

Likely: DeSagana Diop (1 year, $6,925,400 + Player Option of $7,372,200), Corey Maggette (2 years, $21,186,207)

Possible: Boris Diaw (1 year, $9,000,000)

The Charlotte Bobcats HAVE to rebuild around Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo. Everybody else on the roster can be had, and they should drop DeSagana Diop from their payroll. Diop, who missed the majority of last season with an Achilles injury, is still a very raw big man who is a backup at best. Corey Maggette was also brought in on draft-day, but may not fit in the Bobcats current and/or future plans.

Chicago Bulls

Likely: Ronnie Brewer (2 years, $9,080,000)

Possible: Carlos Boozer (4 years, $60,600,000)

This one is a tough call as Brewer is not really a scorer, but a defensive player who can score in bursts. Carlos Boozer should be dumped based on his performance in the playoffs, but it might be too soon for the team to make such a move. The team may look to drop a smaller salaried player from their current roster.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Likely: Baron Davis (1 year, $13,950,000 + Player Option of $14,850,000)

Possible: Antawn Jamison (1 year, $15,076,715)

The Cleveland Cavaliers should use this Amnesty clause as an opportunity to make-up for past mistakes. Removing either Baron Davis or Antawn Jamison will allow their younger players to play more, and focus on the future ahead for Cleveland fans.

Welcome to the NBA Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson!

Dallas Mavericks

Likely: Rudy Fernandez (1 year, $2,180,443 + Qualifying Offer of $3,187,807)

Possible: Brendan Haywood (4 years, $34,845,000 + Team Option for $10,522,500)

The Dallas Mavericks think highly of Rudy Fernandez and obtained him seeing him as being someone that can help their team. However, if Fernandez is unsure about wanting to play in the NBA again, then the Mavericks should not hesitate to let him go, and not worry about him being a distraction. Haywood is also a candidate, but that depends a lot on how the Tyson Chandler free-agency situation gets resolved.

Denver Nuggets

Likely: Chris Andersen (3 years, $13,578,000)

Possible: Al Harrington (4 years, $27,672,000)

The Denver Nuggets are a team that is in the midst of rebuilding, even though three of their current free-agents have decided to play with the Chinese Basketball Association next season. Veterans like Andersen who signed long-term extensions, or even Harrington, may be dropped in order to open up playing time for the younger players such as Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgov, both who were obtained from the New York Knicks in the Carmelo Anthony trade.

Detroit Pistons

Likely: Richard Hamilton (2 years, $25,300,000)

Possible: Charlie Villanueva (2 years, $15,600,000 + Player Option of $8,580,000)

The Detroit Pistons can finally look to remove Richard Hamilton and his contract off their payroll. However, with Lawrence Frank in town, will the team rather drop Charlie Villanueva, who had some weird outbursts since joining Detroit? Hamilton may not be happy, but the Pistons rather trade him, instead of releasing him outright.

Golden State Warriors

Likely: Andris Biedrins (2 years, $18,000,000 + Player Option of $9,000,000), Charlie Bell (1 year, $4,092,000)

Possible: David Lee (5 years, $68,737,680)

The Golden State Warriors are in need of a center that can play alongside Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry. Andris Biedrins has shown he can do a little of it, but has been dealing with injuries recently. Also, David Lee may be a great fit for the Warriors style of play, but not in the monetary sense.

Houston Rockets

Likely: Terrence Williams (1 year, $2,369,040)

Possible: Kevin Martin (2 years, $24,959,515)

The Houston Rockets now under Kevin McHale may look to unload some guards from their current roster. After the addition of Jonny Flynn from Minnesota, Terrence Williams who came over in a trade from the New Jersey Nets in the middle of the season last year, may be a candidate.

However Williams is a young player that has not gotten a chance to show his skills in the NBA. Kevin Martin remains an outside shot, but the Rockets consider him to be one of their main pieces.

Indiana Pacers

Likely: James Posey (1 year, $6,925,400)

Possible: Dahntay Jones (1 year, $2,700,000 + Player Option of $2,900,000)

The Indiana Pacers will look to bring in some power forwards to their roster for the 2011-12 NBA season. Veteran James Posey is a candidate to be released, as he was a fringe player for the team this past season. Dahntay Jones is another possibility, even though he played better towards the end of last season.

Los Angeles Clippers

Likely: Maurice “Mo” Williams (1 year, $8,500,000 + Player Option of $8,500,000)

Possible: Chris Kaman (1 year, $12,200,000)

The Los Angeles Clippers will most likely look to move their veteran players and build around Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Eric Bledsoe, Eric Gordon and Al-Farouq Aminu. Mo Williams is a likely candidate to get axed, and if the Clippers feel that center Chris Kaman is untradeable, then he might be a potential candidate also. However, as shown in the past, with a dearth of big men already in the league, Kaman may spark trade interest around the NBA.

Los Angeles Lakers

Likely: Luke Walton (2 years, $11,780,000)

Possible: Metta World Peace a.k.a. the former Ron Artest (1 year + Player Option of $7,258,960)

The Los Angeles Lakers will most likely axe the injured Luke Walton, who has two-years left on his contract. Metta World Peace may be as well given his character, and weird tendencies.

Memphia Grizzlies

Likely: O.J. Mayo (1 year, $5,632,636 + Qualifying Offer of $7,390,018)

Possible: Rudy Gay (4 years, $68,698,934)

The Memphis Grizzlies may have to let go one of their young players in order to ease their salary cap per NBA rules. O.J. Mayo, who was almost dealt to the Indiana Pacers for Josh McRoberts in February, may be a candidate. Rudy Gay may also be an option, but the Grizzlies should wait and see how he plays alongside Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph before making any sudden moves.

Miami Heat

Likely: Mike Miller (3 years, $17,400,000 + Player Option of $6,600,000)

Possible: Joel Anthony (3 years, $11,150,000 + Player Option of $3,800,000)

The Miami Heat will not remove a member of their Big Three for sure. Mike Miller, who signed a five-year contract may be the most likely candidate. He has dealt with injuries lately, and as a result, is barely on the floor during some parts of the NBA season. Joel Anthony is also a possibility, but he may not since he does play defense, and does so consistently.

Stay Tuned...

Tomorrow I will unveil the "likely" and "possible" amnesty cuts for the remaining 15 NBA teams.

Please stay tuned!