NBA Free Agents: 3 Players Who Will Avoid the Amnesty Clause

Amnesty is not in the future of the following grossly overpaid players. Different circumstances, and franchise plans, dictate that amnesty is not the way to go with these guys.

Washington Wizards' Rashard Lewis

Rashard Lewis was one of the most overpaid players in the NBA last season. However, this won't lead to him getting amnesty.

Lewis' agent Colin Bryant told USA TODAY via email

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I spoke to Wizards management and at this time there is (no) indication they will amnesty Rashard. They have assured us that they will not use the Amnesty on him and that he is going to be a big part of their plans now and in the future.

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Lewis' contract will pay him $21 million during the 2011-12 season. He is then guaranteed $10 million of the $22,699,551 for the following season.

That is a lot of coin for a player that averaged just 11.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season.

This move seems crazy on the surface. However, the Wizards are under the cap this season, and it is not a deep free-agent class.

This move indicates that the Wizards don't want to invest in any of the big names this year. Instead they will hold onto Lewis and hope he returns to the form that made the Magic sign him to this massive contract in the first place.

If Lewis has another lackluster season, the Wizards will then have his huge expiring contract on the books for next season, which will make him a valuable trading chip.

Cleveland Cavaliers' Baron Davis

Even though the Cavs selected PG Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 overall selection and Baron Davis is overpaid, they will not use amnesty on him.

Davis is owed $13.9 million this season. $12.25 million of his $14.8 million salary next season is guaranteed.

Chad Ford and Marc Stein of ESPN report:

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Yet sources close to the situation insist, even more loudly than they did in our first extended amnesty discussion a few weeks ago, that the decision to dump Davis and hand the keys to Irving on Day 1 isn't nearly as automatic as outsiders presume.

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The other thing at play here is that the Cavs aren't interested in adding free agents this year. They want to build this team through the draft, rather than having to overpay players to come to Cleveland.

That means it is more valuable to hold onto Davis and see if they can trade him. Davis' trade value will increase next season as he will have a large expiring contract. They may even find a home for him this year since Davis is not a completely washed up player.

Last season he averaged 13.1 points and 6.7 assists per game—he just isn't worth his big contract.

Los Angeles Lakers' Luke Walton

The reason Luke Walton is going to avoid amnesty is far different from the other two players on this list. 

One way or another, Walton and his $11.5 million salary for this season and next are coming off of the books. It appears though, that this won't have to be via the amnesty clause. 

Walton is likely going to retire before the start of the season.

Walton is only 31 years old, but he has a bum back. It has apparently gotten so bad that ESPN's Andy Katz reported that Walton told him, "he's seen multiple doctors who have advised him to stop playing."

This move would do the Lakers a big favor.

That would free them up to use amnesty on another player. At that point, all eyes will fall on Mr. Meta World Peace.

The player formerly known as Ron Artest is an easy target. He is grossly overpaid and declining. He is also increasingly distracted with off-the-court activities.