Sorry if this has been explained ad nauseum elsewhere -- but, can someone explain to me how/if Sheed's contract (or Sheed, the player) can be preserved till the trade deadline. Does it just mean that the C's pay him till then (does he need to be officially on the roster)? Or does Sheed either have to officially retire or accept a buyout if he's not on the roster?
If Sheed can be preserved till the deadline, this seems to me to be the best of all worlds. Allows the C's to address injuries if they occur, allows them to see if Perk is healing, allows the option of Sheed returning mid-year. A healthy team mid-year allows them to use his contract to strengthen wherever needed. Prior to this apparent Shaq signing, I was wanting Sheed's contract traded for a defensive 3 ASAP, but now I think it prudent to wait -- if that is a possibility. Someone help me understand the logistics around this please.
I don't know if we can or will.
As far as "can," I don't know if anything exactly like this has ever been done before. I guess we could make up the fact that Sheed has an injury, but will the league call foul knowing that he a) won't show up to camp and b) that it's been publicly discussed how he wants out.
As far as "will," will Wyc actually let him sit at home until February, paying 3.5-4 million of his salary (at luxury dollars cost)? And what happens if no one wants him or that we don't want who other teams offer? Part of the appeal of dealing him now is that a team could clear a 2010-2011 salary. If we wait, they'd only save about 2/5 of the 2010-2011 salary.