The Dallas Mavericks have some big decisions to make in the upcoming draft and pending free agency period, but one key player they need to make a decision on is center Brendan Haywood. The Mavericks are looking at using the amnesty clause so that they can waive Haywood and not have him count against the salary cap.
Haywood's contract is $8.349 million in 2012-13 to $9.073 million the following season and $9.798 million in 2014-15. On the surface that seems like a lot of money to pay Haywood if they want to trade for him.
However, Hawyood's contract includes some interesting language that could enhance his value in a trade, and allow the Mavericks to use Hawyood as an asset rather than just cut the player. His contract has a clause that would allow a team to spread out his payments if Haywood is waived:
... any team that waives Haywood can spread out the payments for the remainder of his contract until 2026, according to an NBA source. That means the team that owns his rights and waives him would be responsible for no more than $2 million per year over the next 14 years. That clause in the deal is a huge incentive when it comes to including Haywood as a possible sweetener in trade talks...
Now the Mavericks have some options for what to do with Haywood, and it will save them the option to save the amnesty clause for another player.
For all the latest news and notes on the Mavericks free agency plans, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas storystream as well as Mavs Moneyball.
