Ben Wallace considering retirement

by Hardcore Legend on May 31, 2009 2:23 AM CDT

Ben, by this fan's eyes, was the best post defender we had in the Orlando series and it will sad to see the 'Fro go.

But pragmatically, when I saw this story I automatically thought about his $14 M salary next year and how that money could be used elsewhere to get a legit post scorer to go with Lebron and Mo.

What Ben has to say on the issue:

If Wallace chooses to retire, he will almost certainly seek a buyout since retiring outright would cost him next season's salary. But he said money will not be the determining factor in his decision.

"I think I deserve [a buyout]," Wallace said. "But if I don't get one and I've just got to give it up, that's what I'll do."

From a business standpoint where that buyout ends up could be big for the Cavs. Even saving $7 M would be a step in the right direction.

With Andy likely to ask for a ridiculous amount of money (over $10 M a year), having extra money from Ben's contract to maybe take someone else's big man contract would help this team build to get past the only team that really beat them this year, Orlando.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on FearTheSword.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff at FearTheSword

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Much as I hated him with Detroit, I’d be sad to see him go. I think he played a damn good series in Orlando.

Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.

by Turkmenbashi on May 31, 2009 11:36 AM CDT reply actions

Always loved Ben, especially for the short time we had him in Orlando but I think his time is up, especially at that price. It would probably be best that he retire.

by hawkster77 on May 31, 2009 12:35 PM CDT reply actions

Ben's Salary

drops the Cavs down into about the $57.3 million range in total team salary, assuming both Big Z and Varejao exercise their player options. With Eric Snow and Wally also coming off the cap, the Cavs will shed over $34 million from their total team salary.

However, since we’re not sure what the cap number is going to be next year, I doubt even $57 million is going to be low enough to go out and sign a solid big man to start at PF.

Also, I fully do expect Varejao to exercise his PO. While he may want $8+ million or more, $6 million is nothing to shake a stick at, and he may find even that much hard to come by in the free market.

Let’s not forget, there is also the seldom heard of “ghost player” rule, that requires a team’s total salary to include “ghost salaries” for players that don’t exist, before signing any free agents, that puts the roster total at 12. If, for example, Varejao does exercise his PO, and Wallace retires, the Cavs will have 3 open roster slots, and at the NBA minimum salary for those “ghost slots”, the Cavs will still be looking at a total salary close to $60 million, before they can even think about signing any FAs on the market.

by tandur on May 31, 2009 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

i don’t think there’s any way AV exercises his player option. he wants the qwan, and sees it out there for him this year.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 1, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

If he gets traded

then how would that work for the other team? Could they buy him out and then his whole salary would not count against the cap? How does it work as a trade chip should he choose to retire?

by runningdonut on Jun 3, 2009 3:18 AM CDT reply actions