NBPA Seeks Arbitrator Ruling On Bird Rights For Waived Players

[Pugz]

The NBPA is asking an arbitrator to clarify free agent Bird rights in how it impacts players through waivers.

The NBA contends that a team that claims a player through waivers loses Bird rights.

If the union is successful in their argument, the Knicks could sign both Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak without using their $5 million midlevel exception.

The case also impacts J.J. Hickson with the Blazers and Chauncey Billups of the Clippers.

The Knicks could re-sign J.R. Smith using their mid-level if the arbitrator rules in the favor of the union.

“I think we feel very strongly about the case,” said Novak’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, adding, “I don’t think the players association would go through the exercise if they didn’t feel strongly about the merits.”

Via Howard Beck/New York Times

 

[jonathanlambert33]

It's kind of sad that they don't know the rules.