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Sunday, April 20, 2014

Random Thoughts on Important Dates and the Salary Cap


This is a very important off season for the Celtics and there are several key dates this summer that Celtics fans should watch for.


April 27    NBA Draft Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)

May 14-18     2014 NBA Draft Combine (Chicago, IL ){on-court portion May 15-16}

May 20          2014 NBA Draft Lottery




June 16         NBA Draft Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (5 p.m. ET)

June 26         2014 NBA Draft 

Jul. 1 - Jul 9     Free Agent Moratorium 

Jul. 10           Free Agents eligible to sign


Jul. 12          Trade Exception  from Pierce/Garnett trade ($10.3M) expires

 Just a few notes on the dates above.   Celtics fans should be interested in the draft combine because we may be watching a future Celtic among the top prospects.   I say "may" because Danny has a history of trading the top pick for experienced talent to speed the rebuild along.

  The Draft Lottery is definitely key because where the Celtics land in the lottery may be key to everything else that happens this off season.    I have a feeling that back in 2007, if the Celtics had landed the top pick, the rebuild would have gone very differently.  When the Celtics couldn't land Kevin Durant or Greg Oden, Danny went to plan B.  That may very well be what happens this off season.

And, of course, the draft is the key to the rest of the offseason.  By that time we will know if Danny plans to keep the pick or trade it.  Those moves will determine whether Danny plans to build with youth or go the established star route that he chose the last time.

If it becomes clear that Danny is going to build with established stars, the free agent moratorium becomes more important. Free agents become free on July 1 but they can't be signed until after the league completes it's audit later on in the month. Teams may negotiate with free agents beginning July 1, but they have to wait until the moratorium ends before the signings can be finalized.

The final date to look for is the day that the 10.4 million dollar trade exception from the Nets trade expires.  Chris Forsberg does a good job of explaining this exception and its importance.   I can't see Danny letting an important resource like this expire so it will be interesting to see what he does with it. 

And, of course there will be the Summer League.  Word is that the Celtics will be participating in the Orlando Summer League only and will skip the Vegas Summer League this year.   Summer League is usually sometime in July but the dates have yet to be set. 

And, a couple of thoughts on the salary cap before I finish.  Marc Stein posted this little tidbit:
Sources told ESPN.com that all 30 teams were informed this week via league memorandum that an increase in the cap from this season's $58.6 million to $63.2 million in 2014-15 -- thanks to increased revenues -- is now expected. A corresponding rise in the luxury-tax threshold from $71.7 million to $77 million is also projected, sources said.. 
What this means for the Celtics is that along with the cap space that Danny has been able to clear, they will have a little more wiggle room under the luxury tax to sign free agents and make trades.   It will also allow them to use that trade exception without breaking the bank.   Stay tuned.  It's going to get interesting. 


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