Yup...or a team can draft a 19 yr old and put him in the NBDL to be groomed and still retain his rights (similar to how the Rockets have groomed Badian and Spaniolous). That way they won't take up a roster spot and they can still retain the player when/if he matures to the NBA level of play.
What is not clear if these guys under contract (e.g., Spanoulis) sent to the NDBL would take up an inactive roster spot, or if it free's up a spot in addition to the 15 person active + interactive roster.
I am in Sweden working, and outside of the women here, this is the BEST news I have gotten all day. Yes, I am married, but my GAWD the women here are gorgeous. DD
It allows a team to cram more salary into a contract with a smaller cap number in the first year. For example, say a team has exactly $10.0 MM in cap money one year and they want to give it to one player for a 5 year contract. For cap purposes, you are hit for $10 MM the first year. If this same contract has 10% annual raises, you add $10 MM plus $11 MM plus $12.1 MM plus $13.3 MM plus $14.6 MM; grand total is $61.2 MM. Without the escalators, the maximum they could offer a player is 5 years $50 MM. The yearly increases are a benefit to the players. I agree with you, but since this genie is out of the bottle, the players will never allow it to be put back in.
She is great, but I have seen far better just walking down the street in Helsinborg. Now I am in Stockholm and can't wait to see what is in store here. This country is AMAZING, so well ordered, and polite, and clean...and did I mention the gorgeous women...... On topic, I did buy 4 center court tickets to the Austin NBDL hoping that this was the case, now they can bring over Badman, and Spanolis and I can give updates on their progress, plus give out tickets to my clutch city breathren when I am not going to attend. DD DD
I think the tickets were $20 a game for 23 games, something like that. I got 4 in the second row, center court for the Austin team. I will be going to LOTS of games, and will report on Badiane and Spanolis if they are down here playing. As for Swedish women in Stockholm....WOW !!!! Sweden is the best country I have ever visited, and they still like Americans..... WOOOHOOO !! Now in England....good thing the beer is good here. DD