Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Lakers waive forward Brian Grant
(AP)
Updated: 2005-08-11 10:24

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - The Los Angeles Lakers waived forward Brian Grant on Wednesday, taking advantage of a one-time provision to the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement that allows teams to save nearly $30 million in luxury tax penalties.

Grant was part of the trade that sent Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat last July. The Lakers acquired Grant, Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and a future first-round draft pick.

Grant was the Lakers' second-highest paid player after Kobe Bryant and still is owed $29.8 million on his contract.

He averaged a career-low 3.8 points and 3.7 rebounds last season while bothered by chronic tendinitis in his knees. He also had a neck injury in training camp and spent a month on the injured list because of the tendinitis.

The Lakers will have to pay nearly all of Grant's remaining contract, even if the 33-year-old player signs with another team as a free agent. The Lakers will gain no additional salary cap flexibility until after the 2006-07 season, when Grant's contract expires.

By removing Grant's salary from the NBA's luxury tax calculations, the Lakers benefit because the league assesses a dollar-for-dollar penalty for the amount teams spend over the luxury tax threshold, which will be $61.7 million for next season.

"This is a one-time opportunity to take advantage of this situation, and exercising this will give us greater roster flexibility and the ability to improve our team," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said.



IAAF World Championships 2005
IAAF World Athletics Championships 2005
LeBron James Basketball Park
 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

Composition of currency basket revealed

 

   
 

First body recovered, mine officials removed

 

   
 

Tax rise may push up oil, gas prices in China

 

   
 

Putin: Exercise evidence of closer ties

 

   
 

Opinion: China, US need higher-level meetings

 

   
 

Help sought for abandoned panda cub

 

   
  Lakers waive forward Brian Grant
   
  Australia routs China 89-50 at Gaze Cup
   
  A shift in power in the east?
   
  Celtic boss Strachan wants Du Wei back to club
   
  I want to spare energy for final, says Liu Xiang
   
  More to come from Celtic's Nakamura
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Advertisement