Predicting Next Wave of NBA's Stretch Provision Candidates

Stan Van Gundy and the Detroit Pistons reminded teams around the NBA of something upon releasing Josh Smith: The stretch provision exists."It's an advantage in the new CBA to be able to do this," Van Gundy said, per the Detroit Free Press'Anthony Fenech. "So there is an advantage for us going forward that helps us accelerate our rebuilding efforts.""Advantage" is a strong word. The stretch provision can be useful, but it's something of a last resort. Larry Coon, author of the CBA FAQ, explains why:If the player is waived from September 1 to June 30, then the current season is paid per the normal payment schedule, and any remaining years are stretched over twice the number of years remaining plus one as described above. For example, if the player is waived on December 1 with two seasons remaining on his contract at $10.2 million and $10.5 million, respectively, then the current season (at $10.2 million) is paid normally, and the final season (at $10.5 million) is stretched over three years (one season times two, plus one) and paid in even amounts of $3.5 million per year.Paying players who actually suit up for other teams can sting. But if an organization is in desperate need of immediate flexibilityas the Pistons werethere's cause to withstand the long-term blow in favor of short-term gain.So which players will follow in Smith's footsteps'Perhaps no one. Use of the stretch provision is pretty uncommon. Still, there are number of players who could find themselves the subject of speculation in the coming months and years.These players will be ones who are not helping their team, don't fit into future plans and cannot be easily traded. Salary-cap flexibility will be the primary motivation, so those on teams that could use some extra scratcheither to build with, evade luxury taxes or bothwill dominate discussion.Calculators handy' Sweet. Let's go.*All stretch provision calculations are rough estimates based off players being waived before June 30, 2015.Begin Slideshow
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