No way they can buy rip out. He's owed too much. he's still owed the rest of this year, 12.65 mil next year, and 9 mil guaranteed/up to 12.65 for the year after. So let's call it 25 million guaranteed if Detroit only keeps him for 1 year after this; 28 if they keep him for 2 years.
Remember that whatever he takes for a buyout will have to be averaged out against Detroit's cap for the next 2 seasons after this one.
So, 2 questions:
1. Rip has declined drastically, and the there's going to be a new CBA. He will not make nearly as much as he is now on the open market. So, out of the 25-28 guaranteed to him, how much of a pay cut would he take? would he take 21 million?
2. Whatever Rip would take, would Detroit do it? Would they really buy out Rip for 21 million, just to have to pay him 7 million per year, while he is playing for another team? That is tough to swallow.
It's not like hamilton is saying "buy me out of my 28 million for 3 million, i just want to leave." Sounds like he wants everything.