CHICAGO BULLS: A good team with its provision intact and an obvious candidate in Carlos Boozer (2 years, $32 million). While Joakim Noah (3 years, $39.5 million) and Luol Deng (1 year, $14.3 million) also make eight figures, both were All-Stars this season and unlike Boozer do not underperform their contracts. Most likely scenario is Bulls using it next summer on Boozer, and bringing Nikola Mirotic over from Europe.
(RELATED: Why the Bulls Should Make Nikola Mirotic Untouchable)
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS: Still have their provision and plan to use it on Tyrus Thomas (2 years, $18 million remaining), even though that would put a capper on one of the worst trades in NBA history. The Bobcats dealt Acie Law, Flip Murray and a first-round pick (unprotected in 2016) to Chicago for Thomas, whom they signed to a five-year, $40 million deal. He scored 125 points last season.
DETROIT PISTONS: GM Joe Dumars still has his amnesty card to fix one of his biggest mistakes in Charlie Villanueva (1 year, $8.6 million). But keep in mind that Dumars already has a ton of cap room this summer, and Villanueva’s expiring contract could become a nice chip at next year’s trading deadline.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Still have the provision at their disposal with no shortage of candidates aside from Kobe. One is Pau Gasol ($19.3 million), although his one remaining year makes him a better bet to be used as a trade chip. Another is Metta World Peace, who would have to opt into his final year at $7.7 million before the Lakers could turn him loose, which he has done.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Have not used the provision and probably never will, given that their only two eligible players are cornerstones Zach Randolph and Mike Conley. It is possible that they could use it on Randolph, who has a $16.5 million player option for 2014-15? Of course. But again, that will be the final year of his deal, and another team may find that expiring contract attractive.
MIAMI HEAT: Still have their provision and also have five players eligible for amnesty if you include LeBron James. The other four are Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Mike Miller and Joel Anthony. Miller has two years and $12.8 million remaining, while Anthony has two years and $7.6 million. Both have player options for 2014-15. And neither would get the Heat under the tax threshold if released.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS: Have not used the amnesty provision and have an ideal candidate in Drew Gooden (2 years, $13.3 million, who averaged a career-low 3.3 points in just 16 games last season. Releasing Gooden would give GM Jon Hammond much more flexibility in making the tough decisions this summer regarding free agents Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings and J.J. Redick, who only comprise their entire backcourt rotation.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: GM Dell Demps has remade his roster so thoroughly that the Pelicans do not have anyone eligible for the amnesty provision. As a small market team, Demps went about things a different (and less costly) way, trading for Rashard Lewis and buying him out. Lewis’ $13.7 million comes off the cap July 1 and makes the Pelicans a potential player this summer. Not that any big-time free agent is going there, mind you.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: They might have been able to keep James Harden had they used amnesty last summer on Kendrick Perkins (2 years, $17.6 million). If GM Sam 
Presti pulls the trigger this summer, it could help keep Kevin Martin, maximize his exceptions or remain a “sustainable team.” The question really is whether Presti can go to owner Clay Bennett and admit Perkins’ deal was a mistake.
SACRAMENTO KINGS: We won’t have to wait very long to find out how much new owner Vivek Ranadive is willing to spend to make the Kings relevant again. They still have their provision and only one eligible player in John Salmons (1 year, $7.6 million), who shouldn’t be part of a rebuilding plan. Sacramento also overpaid for Travis Outlaw through the bidding process.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: They still have use of their provision, which should surprise no one given how well GM R.C. Buford manages the roster. And their only eligible player is Tony Parker, who was only in the running for MVP this season. Someday all teams will be run like this.
TORONTO RAPTORS: As mentioned above, new GM Masai Ujiri has amnesty as one of his offseason building blocks. Unless he plans on using a wrecking ball and bulldozer to rebuild the Raptors, Ujiri is unlikely to use the provision on undervalued big man Amir Johnson (1 year, $6.5 million).
UTAH JAZZ: Still have amnesty at their disposal but also have a boatload of free agents this summer. The Jazz do have two candidates, but they are young big men Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, both of whom are still on their rookie contracts and considered the foundation of the franchise’s future along with Gordon Hayward and Trey Burke.
USED AMNESTY ALREADY
BROOKLYN NETS: Used on Travis Outlaw, who had three years and $21 million remaining. The $7 million removal last summer helped the Nets pursue Dwight Howard before ultimately making the deal for Joe Johnson. Outlaw was claimed via a bidding process by the Sacramento Kings, who paid him $9 million over three years, reducing Brooklyn’s obligation to $4 million for each of the next two years.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Used their provision on Baron Davis, who cleared waivers but then was signed by the New York Knicks and played 29 games before blowing out his knee and ending his career. Dumping Davis was less about creating cap room and more about a rebuilding plan, which is looking pretty good.
DALLAS MAVERICKS: Used on Brendan Haywood (2 years, $14.8 million), creating flexibility that will help the Mavs chase Dwight Howard and other free agents this summer. The Bobcats won the bid for Haywood for $6 million over three years, a move that was much appeciated by Mark Cuban’s wallet. Dallas also submitted the winning amnesty bid on Elton Brand.
Free knowledge like this doesn’t just help, it promote democracy. Thank you.
Which came first, the problem or the solution? Luckily it doesn’t matter.
Whoever edits and publishes these articles really knows what they’re doing.
I’m quite pleased with the information in this one. TY!
How could any of this be better stated? It couldn’t.
That kind of thinking shows you’re an expert
Now I’m like, well duh! Truly thankful for your help.
I guess finding useful, reliable information on the internet isn’t hopeless after all.
Well put, sir, well put. I’ll certainly make note of that.
It’s posts like this that make surfing so much pleasure
You’re the one with the brains here. I’m watching for your posts.
That’s a skillful answer to a difficult question
I’ve been looking for a post like this forever (and a day)
Chris, I’m not sure I follow your logic (or math).
Right now, without Dwight, the Lakers have 77M under contract. Signing Dwight to a max deal that starts at around 18M would push them to 95M. Amnestying Kobe drops us to 65M. While that is under the luxury tax, it’s still over the salary cap, meaning we cannot sign FAs like Tyreke/Jennings.
As far as a sign-and-trade goes… As long as the salaries match up, whether we are over the luxury tax or not is irrelevant. So what’s the point of all of this?
If they amnesty Kobe first and sign Dwight last, they can get below the cap and sign free agents. That would require convincing the most indecisive person since Charlie Brown to sit tight, but it is possible.
That’s technically not correct. Because Lakers have Dwight’s Bird rights he leaves a cap hold on their books. So if they amnesty Kobe, if they want to sign new FAs while Dwight is in limbo, they would need to renounce their Bird rights to him, at which point they would no longer be able to go over the cap to re-sign him.
Anyways, all of this is moot since he’s gonna be going to HOU in a couple of hours…
wow. someone just indterucod me to jonathan’s work and i immediately realized that i’ve already been exposed to his work over the years through various iconic album covers and magazine covers. wow. blown away. and you’re shooting film too!!? that’s absolutely amazing. you’ve worked with some great talent. your images will live forever. i am done preaching now. whoa. amazing. fantastic. colorful. simple. again iconic. KMD
Now I’m like, well duh! Truly thankful for your help.
The genius store called, they’re running out of you.
That’s a shrewd answer to a tricky question
It’s a relief to find someone who can explain things so well
That’s the best answer of all time! JMHO
It’s posts like this that make surfing so much pleasure
Well I guess I don’t have to spend the weekend figuring this one out!
I’m impressed by your writing. Are you a professional or just very knowledgeable?
No question this is the place to get this info, thanks y’all.
Yeah that’s what I’m talking about baby–nice work!
I guess finding useful, reliable information on the internet isn’t hopeless after all.
There’s a terrific amount of knowledge in this article!
That’s the smart thinking we could all benefit from.
I’m quite pleased with the information in this one. TY!
You mean I don’t have to pay for expert advice like this anymore?!
I ran the idea of amnestying Kobe, and bringing him back in July 2014 by Larry Coon in May.
Coon thought too many ifs, but its worth revisiting.
Kobe claims that by doing surgery before swelling set in, he reduced recovery time and he really seems to believe he can be back by early December. However, even HE must admit it would be better to take off more time and try to return closer to 100%.
Question is would new Commissioner allow this (collusion) since it would have to be prearranged that Kobe would be returning to Lakers for Vet Min.
Not clear how you expect Howard to be part of Lakers team? Only without Howard and Kobe’s salary would Lakers have about 48 M in salary (must include Cap Holds), enough for a 10 M FA giving a discount to Lakers. Lakers though should have full MLE and able to use BAE and be free to receive players in S&T. Same for next summer before re-signing Kobe with Vet Min.
Lakers definitely would enter 2014-2015 season in much better shape and would have avoided the repeater tax.
We will be hearing more of this option, once Howard agrees to go to Houston in next few days.
Jerry,
Yes, you’re right – this summer would have to be sign-and-trades, which aren’t in mix if Kobe is not amnestied. Would think idea of playing with Howard and Nash, then re-adding Kobe also might get someone to accept MLE even though they’re worth more.
Kobe wouldn’t necessarily have to take vet min, either. It depends upon how many players are signed to one-year deals this summer and how many are actually wanted back. Pau and MWP might be candidates to be renounced, which would get Lakers way under cap. Or they could trade Pau’s expiring deal for other expiring deals or a player(s) who is a good fit.
It’s a one-year backwards step (although not really; you would think any team with Dwight in middle would be in playoffs) to take quantum leap forward back into title contention. Dwight also has to be on board with it. Thanks for reading.
CB
Seriously, you’re the 347th writer to have mentioned this idea in the last year, 318 of them since he hurt himself.
Not exactly. Most of those Amnesty writers didn’t consider Kobe’s sitting out year to rehabilitate and then being a FA again, to re-sign with Lakers for a Minimum.
I thought of that scenario immediately after Kobe’s injury, since I always expected Howard (and documented) going to Houston, thus giving Lakers plenty of cap space and other advantages.
This is silly…. If Kobe does not play this season the Lakers can simply request a year injury exception. This would allow the Lakers to “replace” Kobe and then resign him next July when his current contract runs out.
“Disabled Player Exception”
Allows a team that is over the cap to acquire a replacement for a disabled player who will be out for either the remainder of that season (for in-season injuries/deaths) or the next season (if the disability occurs during the offseason). The maximum salary of the replacement player is either 50% of the injured player’s salary, or the mid-level exception for a non-taxpaying team, whichever is less. This exception requires an NBA-designated doctor to verify the extent of the injury.”
I didn’t see the Cavs anywhere on your list. What’s their amnesty situation? Otherwise, this was a very good, helpful piece. Thanks.
Somehow got lost in the cut and paste. Restored. Thanks.
Toronto can so use the amnesty on Linas Kleiza as well.