The chances that any of what I'm about to write will ever be important are extremely slim. It takes quite a brave man to consider that Lindsey Hunter would be a key piece to a blockbuster trade, and only if that was the case would the following information be important. But, still. Let's play along anyway.
Lindsey Hunter has a full no-trade clause for next season. So will Aaron Gray.
It's not because they're overwhelmingly brilliant, or anything like that. Only one player in the league has a full no-trade clause in the traditional sense, and that's Kobe Bryant. And even if you combine their considerable powers, Aaron Gray and Lindsey Hunter are no Kobe Bryant. They're probably not even Mark Bryant. Or Mark Pope. Or me.
However, both players's new contracts are eligible to a weird loophole which permits them the right to veto any trade that they're in. Assuming Gray signs his one year, $1,000,497 qualifying offer, both he and Hunter will be signed to one year contracts, and both will have either Early Bird or Larry Bird rights after it expires. (Early Bird rights for Hunter, the full Larry for Aaron. If that makes sense.)
As a result, if either were to be traded, a pointless rule stipulates that the recipient team will lose their Bird rights. I don't know why the rule exists, but it exists, and them's the facts. However, since losing their Bird rights can significantly disadvantage a player, the CBA gives them the right to veto a trade so that they may keep their Bird rights. Therefore, via a loophole, Lindsey Hunter and Aaron Gray have to consent to any trade they may be in.
This hitherto little-known clause is also the reason why it wasn't feasible to trade Ben Gordon last season, and it was made most famous by The Devean George Experience. 18 months ago, Devean staunchly refused to lose his Bird rights, vetoed the trade and did the Mavericks a favour, even if they didn't know it. (It didn't work out for Dallas, who found a new way to make a bad trade anyway. But it did work out for George, who got a 2 year, $3.2 million contract that he likely wouldn't have got without the Mavericks having Early Bird rights on him. As well as an inexplicably deep love and affection for George's purposeless play.)
Will this matter? Probably not. Even if the Bulls can consummate a beautiful deal (giggidy), it's extremely unlikely that either Hunter or Gray would have been in it. But it's worth noting, if only because it forces us to modify our trade ideas accordingly.
And also because it'd be pretty hilarious if it happened.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tags: Aaron Gray, CBA Technicalities, chicago bulls, Good Times, Lindsey Hunter, No Trade Clause, Trades
Nice Post. Although I concede that the wisdom of signing Lindsey Hunter from a pure basketball perspective is not the subject of your post I would like to comment on this. VDN expressed that he really wanted Hunter to return this year. Reports that I have read indicated that Hunter was believed by VDN and Bulls management to have a saluatory effect on the maturation of Rose and that he was a good veteran locker room presence.
However aside from this presumed "presence", does anyone believe that Hunter belongs in the NBA from a talent perspective? IMO he played like what he is- an old man by NBA standards. His former skills have eroded dramatically. I did not see the tenacious defense and shooting touch that he formally had with the Pistons. Furthermore, what really got my goat was his laughing and scratching on the bench when the Bulls were out of games by 20 points or so. Is this a good role model?
My issue is why is this guy taking up a roster/salary spot when IMO there were younger and more talented guards available? Why not just make him a coach instead?
Only if he's cut. Being traded doesn't matter.