Why is Jordan so intent on clearing cap space? He just bought out the remainder ofMitch Richmond's contract. Could he be targeting a big free agent signing. I know they already have Brown at PF, but the kid's a teenager rook and a lineup which includes Webber Brown and Jordan is very enticing. You got "OLD school" and "NOW school" and "NEW school". ------------------
They simply wanted to get Richmond out for the sake of the Wizards and Richmond. ------------------ Ziggy
Buying out Richmond's contract opens up cap space for NEXT summer. It does nothing for this summer, so Webber is not an option. The Wizards are still over the cap (I believe), but the Richmond buyout cleared $10 million in cap space for next summer, when it is believed Jordan will make a run at Vince Carter. ------------------
That's not necessarily true. According to, I believe it was Aeliott, the buyout will be spread out over the length of the contract, which would mean a $5 mill drop in salary this year. Washington will have a total of $33.5 mill in signed contracts, which would leave them with about $9.5 mill in cap space if they opt out on Michael Smith's $2.4 mill. If Jordan weren't making a comeback, he'd have to be a serious front runner for Executive of the year, just because of the way he has managed to get the Wizards out of what seemed like an impossible financial bind. I doubt he gets Webber, but you never know. He's definitely put the Wizards into position to be major players in the FA market this year. If Sacramento were interested in a sign & trade, he could send a package of Loy Vaught/Jahidi White/Richard Hamilton or Nesby/draft picks for Webber. He could even get away with absorbing more salary than he's giving out, because he'll be under the cap. I guess it all depends on what Webber wants to do. ------------------
