Keon Clark is now an Unrestricted Free Agent

[Admin]

How about Henderson for Clark straight up sign and trade? Re-unite the "Great One" with his favorite son.

Link to the article

In reply to:

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Raptors bid adieu to Clark

(Jul 22) TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto Raptors rescinded their qualifying offer to Keon Clark on Monday, making the lanky centre an unrestricted free agent and almost surely ending his two-year stay with the team.

Clark's departure became probable after the NBA announced last week that the salary cap would fall to $40.2 million US instead of the anticipated $42 million US.

That left the Raptors little room to pay Clark more than the $2 million US he earned last season under his rookie contract. The Raptors had the right to recall their $3 million US qualifying offer to Clark before Tuesday and when it appeared that Clark would accept it, they cut him loose Monday.

The Raptors, who have a payroll of just under $52 million US, are hoping to avoid paying the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax, which is expected to kick in at about $50 million US.

Clark, who averaged 11.3 points and 7.4 rebounds last season, was expected to command much more this year. Starting power forwards in the league average $8.2 million US a year.

``With the announcement of a decrease in the league's salary cap for next season, it is critical that we put together the best possible team now while maintaining flexibility to also improve along the way within the framework of the luxury tax,'' Glen Grunwald, the Raptors general manager, said in a statement. ``Although it's unlikely, rescinding the offer to Keon does not preclude us from re-signing him, or working out a sign-and-trade with another team.''

As a restricted free agent, Clark could receive contract offers from other teams, but the Raptors retained the right to match. As an unrestricted free agent, Clark is free to sign with any team.

``We appreciate the contributions he has made to our organization, and this will enable him to pursue the best possible opportunity without being encumbered by being a restricted free agent,'' said Grunwald.

Clark - a six-foot-11, 221-pounder who could play both power forward and centre - said he wanted to remain a Raptor, but wouldn't accept a paycut to stay in Toronto.

He did appreciate being cut loose by Grunwald so early in the free agent season.

``He's saying he couldn't do anything with me so he go ahead let me go before everyone gets signed up,'' said Clark. ``I respect him for that. He said he was going to do everything in his power at the beginning of this process. I thought he was just taking his time so everybody was getting their money, but nobody has any money to spend. So, I was really at the bottom of the barrel when it came to that position.''

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[Traceman]

won't even offer Clark half that.

[Admin]

Yeah unfortunately thats not gonna be able to happen.........very sad cause I would love to have Clark and to not have Hendu lol