Sorry to keep harping on this trade, but I overlooked one of the most interesting parts of the deal. Because Pau Gasol makes nearly $14 million per year, and because Los Angeles is over the salary cap, the Lakers had to send back roughly $11 million in salary to Memphis to comply with NBA trade rules. Javaris Crittendon and Kwame Brown, the two signed players changing teams, make a little over $10 million. According to the ESPN Trade Machine, the Lakers had to send Memphis a player making at least $684,750. Enter Aaron McKie.
Aaron McKie has been a go-to guy for buyouts and financial adjustments before. In 2005, the Sixers used the “Allan Houston Rule” to save almost $20 million in luxury tax by waiving McKie. McKie still received his full salary, and went on to sign a new contract with Los Angeles. Though he was essentially retired before this deal, and will by all reports be immediately released by Memphis, McKie presumably will still receive $700,000 for his participation in these salary cap shenanigans. And so, while I thought the Lakers were the big winners in this trade, the biggest winner is clearly Aaron McKie. Aaron McKie’s wife gets a new car, and Aaron McKie’s kids probably get new bikes. Not bad for a guy who lost his wheels three years ago.
