lockout very likely, what happens to the C's?

[heitingas]

Billy Hunter, the union’s executive director, warns in the handbook that “a lockout is VERY likely.”

“The revenue increases and unprecedented growth the league is experiencing has done nothing to assuage ownership’s demand that we drastically reduce player salaries and benefits,” Hunter says in the guide. “Commissioner (David) Stern and the owners have given us but one option and that is to fight for a fair deal.”

So if there'no season next year, no players get's paid and does this mean we get under the cap ? KG,Ray,Jermaine,Shaq are expiring.
Could we sign a max FA this summer then if there's a full year lockout?

[Celtics4ever]

I think Danny set us up for the lockout.   A lot of contracts are expiring and were set up that way on purpose. We won't have a lot on the books and can see how the new league shapes out.

[BUTerrier]

I'm not 100% certain on this, but I'm pretty sure that in the event of a lockout it's as if time freezes and is restarted when the clock starts again. Put another way, if the NBA locked out for a year, all of the expiring contracts you just mentioned would expire in 2013 rather than 2012 (because the Celtics have another year of contract rights over them).

Did Larry Coon ever deal with this? I kind of go to him for any salary questions; the guy's a genius at this

[Eddie20]

A 54 game season would be a good thing for our team. Sure, it would be unfortunate to not watch as much BB as normal. However, the fewer games would keep us a lot fresher for when it counts.

[Cman]

A 54 game season would be a good thing for our team. Sure, it would be unfortunate to not watch as much BB as normal. However, the fewer games would keep us a lot fresher for when it counts.

TP, good point.  With a shortened season the Cs might be like the Spurs (in '99 was it?).

[Roy H.]

I'm not 100% certain on this, but I'm pretty sure that in the event of a lockout it's as if time freezes and is restarted when the clock starts again. Put another way, if the NBA locked out for a year, all of the expiring contracts you just mentioned would expire in 2013 rather than 2012 (because the Celtics have another year of contract rights over them).

Did Larry Coon ever deal with this? I kind of go to him for any salary questions; the guy's a genius at this

I actually think it would be the opposite.  In the 1998 lockout the players weren't paid, and when play resumed they only received the pro-rated version of their salaries.

In the event that the entire 2012 season is lost, the summer of 2012 should look exactly like it otherwise would have; players on expiring contracts would have expired, etc.

I wouldn't look forward to a full lockout.  It would be a lost shot at a championship for our core, and would pretty much close the window.  I don't really care too much about cap space; I'd prefer to win.  If it's a shortened season, cool, but this one could be a long one.

[Jon]

It won't work out with signing players; however, a lockout shortened season could play out very favorably for an aging Celtic team. 

If we win this year, the likelihood of repeating increases playing 30 fewer games the following season. 

[Cman]

It won't work out with signing players; however, a lockout shortened season could play out very favorably for an aging Celtic team. 

If we win this year, the likelihood of repeating increases playing 30 fewer games the following season. 

As I stated above, in general I agree with this.  However, sometimes too much time off is a bad thing for players -- they get out of shape, lose a step, etc (exhibit A: Vin Baker).  This team strikes me as disciplined and motivated (thanks in large part to KG) so it is less of a concern, but is always a risk.

[18isGREATERthan72]

Also, I may be mistaken, but in the last lockout, weren't there B2B2B games?  If so, then I don't see how that helps our C's at all.

[DavorCroatiaFan]

Does anyone knows what happens with 2012 draft if whole 2011/12 season is cancelled?
- does NBA draft order in 2011 repeats (unlikely and unfair)
- does 2011 lottery teams goes to 2012 lottery (little less unlikely and unfair)
- does all 30 teams go to 2012 lottery with even odds?

[slamtheking]

Does anyone knows what happens with 2012 draft if whole 2011/12 season is cancelled?
- does NBA draft order in 2011 repeats (unlikely and unfair)
- does 2011 lottery teams goes to 2012 lottery (little less unlikely and unfair)
- does all 30 teams go to 2012 lottery with even odds?

if it gets to that point where the whole season is lost, I'm sure the next CBA would include how the next draft needs to be handled

[pearljammer10]

Beneficial to our team or not I really hope that we dont have a lock out. Id much rather see the Celtics play for an entire season.

And Im pretty sure Roy is right on this one. If the 2012 season doesnt exist, that season is lost and i dont think everything just simply gets pushed back. The contracts of all those players would be up and they would be free agents.

I wouldnt say if Danny built this team "for" the lockout per say. But i guess in the event one does happen he did a pretty good job thinking about it in his planning.

[hpantazo]

a lockout would be bad for the celtics and bad for the NBA, I hope they manage to avoid it. As others said, next season is our last year with this group. A lockout would erase it and we would be thrust into rebuilding. I'm sure the Oneals, Ray, and maybe KG would retire if next season is lost.

The league would lose a great year of players who would be in their primes competing at the same time as aging legends and a chance to make some headway with the fanbase now that the economy is a little more stable. If some of the top players actually play in europe, the NBA could take a big hit, as the european teams will get a ton of attention and its also possible that the NBA players may not dominate the european leagues as much as some fans may think now, taking some of the shine off of the greatness of the NBA and it's players.

[jimmehx]

A lockout would be absolutely terrible for the league... and for me.

It's the best way to lose a whole market of 'casual' fans who don't understand why the league just stopped suddenly. Getting them back into the games would be a challenge.

Plus, as hpantazo just mentioned, you'd be missing the prime of many current players which just helps them build a fan base and more $.

Most importantly, I want to watch the games 

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

we'll be fine. We're just gonna bring back the big 3 after a year of rest so they can finish their careers in 3 or 4 years and win 3 or 4 championships