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**TomBoerwinkle#1** · 10-14-2003, 01:59 PM

Quote:

The Lakers' apparent reluctance to give Shaquille O'Neal a maximum-term contract extension has to do with restrictions in the collective bargaining agreement, though it does not necessarily temper their fear that a massive extension would paralyze their payroll in future seasons.

A passage of the complex agreement called the "Over-36 Rule" will limit O'Neal's extension to two years, according to parties familiar with the intricacies of the CBA. The rule attempts to close a salary-cap loophole that otherwise would allow teams to continue to pay players into retirement, thus undermining the intent of the cap.

Because O'Neal would start a sixth season at 36 years old, his final year's salary would have to be spread over the length of his contract in terms of salary-cap accounting, according to league sources. The Lakers cannot roll back the final year because O'Neal already has a maximum-type deal, signed three years ago, which leaves only a two-year extension.

Quote:

O'Neal could add those two years and more than $70 million to a contract that will pay him nearly $90 million over the next three seasons. He is more likely to be offered a pay cut from the $32.4 million he will earn in 2005-06, however, perhaps in the neighborhood of $20-25 million a season. At that salary, O'Neal probably would remain the league's highest-paid player

Any thoughts on this development?

**Dan Rosenbaum** · 10-16-2003, 04:40 PM

O'Neal probably is the kind of guy they had in mind when they instituted the "Over 36 Rule." Right now, he may be worth more than the maximum, so by extending his deal to years when he may be retired, this would be a way to in effect pay him more than the maximum.

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