http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14870954/miami-heat-buyout-beno-udrih-several-teams-upset Several NBA teams are upset by an unusual agreement between the Miami Heat and veteran guard Beno Udrih that will get the team out of paying the luxury tax, sources told ESPN.com. The Heat agreed to a contract buyout of Udrih, and he was officially waived Monday. The move drops the Heat below the repeater tax line and create a windfall of approximately $2.7 million. It might also help them avoid future luxury-tax penalties because the league punishes repeat taxpayers. Heat president Pat Riley and general manager Andy Elisburg approached Udrih about accepting a buyout after Joe Johnson agreed to sign with the Heat over the weekend, sources said. The Heat, who made a series of trades at the deadline to get out of the tax, were then looking for a solution to add Johnson and remain out of the tax. Signing Johnson pushed the Heat $43,894 above the line. Udrih, apparently wanting to help the franchise, agreed to leave enough of his $2.17 million salary on the table to help the Heat with their tax situation, sources said. By getting out of the tax, the Heat save about $110,000 in taxes and are now in line to receive a $2.6 million payout from tax-paying teams.
Udrih is out for the season right? Weird of him to care enough to give over 2 million away to a team he's been on for only half a year. Under the table agreement?
I think Udrih is only giving up about $44,000, which is how much is needed to drop Miami back below the luxury tax threshold. Most of the "savings" to the Heat is the ~$2.5 million payment they can now get as a non-tax-paying team. Still, Udrih being out for the season meant there was no reason for him to leave one penny on the table, which is why other teams are mad.
But players can do whatever they want. But the owners are probably mad because there has to be some kind of side arrangement where Udrih is somehow benefiting. Nobody gives up something for nothing. That said them are the rules.
He doesn't have to travel with the team, go to mandatory Heat charity events/signings/photoshoots? I mean, it effectively allows him to be on vacation 2.5 months earlier than expected which has got to be worth something to a guy who's probably either chilling in Miami or going skiing in Slovenia. Just playing devil's advocate here.
yes he only gave up like 50 k but there was no reason for him to do it. Ofc Riley once again proves he is the best lol I don't think many other teams could convince a player to do that even for 44k.
Would not be Riley's first. . . or second . . . .. . . . Riley is a habitual rule breaker Rocket River
Yeah Riley is always doing something under the table. Udrih lets go of 44k. Pretty sure Riley has him prostitutes and bottles lined up at Club Liv this weekend.
He will receive a job as a special assistant to the GM in the future. Riley and the Heat have followed through on it in the past and have credibility.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Beno Urdih cleared waivers today, sources said. Heat won't get additional space under tax and would have to wait to sign another player.</p>— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN/status/705151916745961472">March 2, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Udrih clearing & Heat having limited space under tax may affect Marcus Thornton most. He was an immediate option had Philly claimed Beno.</p>— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN/status/705152341872287744">March 2, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Only Pat Riley would have the stones to walk up to a player and offer this kind of arrangement. "Look, I can't offer you anything of real value here. Actually, it's you who's leaving around $44,000 on the table. We think Joe Johnson could be a real boon here for us, and since you're pretty much worthless right now, what do you say to helping us out? I mean, think of all the extra partying you can do on South Beach now that you're unemployed!"
$44k out of $2m+ isn't much. You do it just to maintain good relations. Folks will remember you were a team player later when you're looking for a contract, a coaching gig, or whatever. It doesn't have to be tit-for-tat.