ESPN Insider --- "Free agents to benefit from cap increase." "The NBA salary cap will jump from $40.5 million to $43.8 million for the 2003-2004 season, ESPN's David Aldridge reports, a financial bonanza for signed veteran players and free agents. For example, Jermaine O'Neal, who re-signed with the Indiana Pacers for $122 million, now goes to $126 million. And Nets star Jason Kidd's salary jumps $4 million to $103 million. The mid-level exception for veteran players such as Gary Payton rises to $4.91 million. The new figure also aids teams like Miami and Utah, which lost big-name stars to free agency but will now have significant cap room to sign players. Players received almost 65 percent of basketball-related income before they gave 10 percent of their salaries as a result of the escrow tax. After the escrow tax payments, the players received 59.5 percent of basketball related income." Do the Rockets benefit from this cap increase, or are they to far over as it currently stands to help any?
Last I heard, we had $52 million or so in committed salaries. Plus, we have to re-sign Posey. But these higher numbers might lead credence to the theory that there will be no luxury tax next year, which would be a big help.
