Truth & Rumors > NBA

Teams shy from mid-level exceptions

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Why are so many teams not using the mid-level exception? Teams are growing reluctant to use all or even a good chunk of their full mid-level because it eats up salary cap space in future years, and in some cases, puts a team over the luxury tax. Also, some GMs are a little skittish because some high-profile mid-level deals in recent years ( Brian Cardinal, Jared Jeffries, Jerome James) have failed spectacularly. The bottom line is that in most cases there is little or no market for those type of full mid-level deals, so teams aren't going to bid against themselves. They can afford to wait it out and try to get those players at cheaper rates.

SI.com

Jerome James, Elsa/Getty Images Jerome James, Elsa/Getty Images
August 28, 2008  07:00 AM ET

They made him look like Gary Coleman in this photo.

August 28, 2008  07:02 AM ET

it's called scouting and player evaluation, they should try it once in a while.

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August 28, 2008  08:39 AM ET

In other words, mid-level are for overrated players and later on regret on signing them. A waste of salary.

Best advice. Don't use it and save it for the Superstar free agents.

August 28, 2008  08:48 AM ET

They made him look like Gary Coleman in this photo.
YODA | 08/28/08, 07:00 AM
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But that's a good thing ... his game is comparable to Gary Coleman's.

August 28, 2008  09:11 AM ET

It's not the mid-level its the players who are GIVEN the mid level
and the moronic GM's who give them out

and please T&R....never mention Jerome James again

August 28, 2008  09:19 AM ET

If there were still a high number of quality ballplayers at the mid-level (like there was when they made the rule), this would make sense. Today, it's bad economics. I don't blame them for ignoring it.

August 28, 2008  10:35 AM ET

The mid level exception was instituted to guard against overspending and underspening for talent. If I was a player I will never accept a mid level deal because of it's subliminal message... "you can't be great like Jordan yet you won't be a bust like Kwame Brown"... But those two Knick players... God bless em... call it FREEDOM TO STEAL DOLAN'S DOUGH!

August 28, 2008  11:03 AM ET

Ironically enough Isiah Thomas was the GM that signed two of those players named.

See, it's all the Knicks fault.

August 28, 2008  11:25 AM ET

Ironically enough Isiah Thomas was the GM that signed two of those players named.
See, it's all the Knicks fault.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 08/28/08, 11:03 AM

You took the words right out of my mouth.

August 28, 2008  11:44 AM ET

The mid level exception was instituted to guard against overspending and underspening for talent. If I was a player I will never accept a mid level deal because of it's subliminal message... "you can't be great like Jordan yet you won't be a bust like Kwame Brown"... But those two Knick players... God bless em... call it FREEDOM TO STEAL DOLAN'S DOUGH!
Lostwill | 08/28/08, 10:35 AM


Good comment. Everyone on that squad is stealing Dolan's dough with the exception of David Lee. He's the only one trying to earn it.

August 28, 2008  12:43 PM ET

They made him look like Gary Coleman in this photo.
YODA | 08/28/08, 07:00 AM
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But that's a good thing ... his game is comparable to Gary Coleman's.
Cheesy Texan | 08/28/08, 08:48 AM
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That's the funniest line I have seen all day.

August 28, 2008  01:12 PM ET

They made him look like Gary Coleman in this photo.

YODA | 08/28/08, 07:00 AM

Really? I thought I was watching Forrest Gump for a second and Bubba was looking up at Forrest right before he dies...

August 28, 2008  01:22 PM ET

Ugh Jarred Jeffries. Those were an awful group of years in Washington. He left college entirely too early.

August 28, 2008  01:30 PM ET

"Ugh Jarred Jeffries. Those were an awful group of years in Washington"

um.....ugly maybe......
but have you watched his couple in NY.....BEYOND UGLY

August 28, 2008  01:33 PM ET

okay i know this is stupid but what is the mid level exception and if you go over the luxury tax what happens?

August 28, 2008  01:39 PM ET

Good comment. Everyone on that squad is stealing Dolan's dough with the exception of David Lee. He's the only one trying to earn it.

J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 08/28/08, 11:44 AM
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aggreed

August 28, 2008  02:44 PM ET

"Ugh Jarred Jeffries. Those were an awful group of years in Washington"

um.....ugly maybe......
but have you watched his couple in NY.....BEYOND UGLY
jgb | 08/28/08, 01:30 PM


AGREED!

August 28, 2008  02:49 PM ET

okay i know this is stupid but what is the mid level exception and if you go over the luxury tax what happens?

drMcNinja
----------------------
The mid level exception is an exception to the salary cap rule that allows you to sign a player at a mid-level salary and exceed the salary cap in order to get the deal done. But, you are hit with a dollar for dollar "luxury tax" for every dollar that you are over the cap.

So if you go $3 million "over the cap" (the maximum limit that a team can spend in payroll) in order to sign the player you are hit with a $3 million "luxury tax". Go $10 million over, $10 million tax. That's it in a nutshell.

 
August 28, 2008  03:23 PM ET

The mid-level exception should be renamed the Isiah Thomas Exception.

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