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On Tuesday, the Orlando Magic waived guard Von Wafer, who played in 33 regular season games but fell out of the rotation, playing just six playoff minutes.  True to Von, he managed to get off five shots in that brief stretch for six points.

Wafer came over in the Brandon Boss/Glen Davis trade with the Boston Celtics via sign and trade.  As such, the Magic were required to give him a three-year deal.  While a sign and trade must be three, the final two don’t need to be guaranteed.

By cutting Wafer, the Magic take $1.15 million and $1.27 million off their books over the next two seasons.

Wafer can help a team that needs a pure scorer off the bench, although he doesn’t bring much more than individual scoring.  Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round (2005), he’s managed to carve out six NBA seasons.

His best stretch was in 2008-09 with the Houston Rockets, when he averaged 9.7 points per game on 44.7% shooting including 39% from three. Von’s not known as a passer.  His career assist average is 0.7 a game.

He’s also among the first of many decisions to be made this offseason…

Partial/Non-Guarantees

Wafer was just one of many players heading into the summer without a guaranteed contract.

Players with partial/non-guarantees can be traded and then cut by the incoming team.  That’s different than players with option years (player, team or early-termination), who must have their option locked in before being eligible for a trade.

The Magic also have to decide on the contract of J.J. Redick, who is set to earn $6.2 million.  Orlando has until early July to decide, but Redick would appear likely to return to Orlando.

The Chicago Bulls have three significant decisions to make on the contracts of Kyle Korver ($5 million), Ronnie Brewer ($4.4 million) and C.J. Watson ($3.2 million).  Only Korver has a partial guarantee ($500k) and the Bulls are looking like a tax team next year if they keep the roster together.

With Derrick Rose’s availability next year somewhat unclear (knee), should the Bulls be paying $12.6 million for three role players?  Watson is the cheapest of the three and may end up the starting point guard but Korver?  Brewer?

Chicago can keep that salary savings for themselves or use Korver/Brewer in trade to a team looking to trim.

Lamar Odom’s $8.2 million contract is guaranteed at just $2.4 million.  If he can be included in a trade that still maintains Dallas’ cap room, then so be it.  Otherwise, expect Odom to be cut loose.  Additionally, Vince Carter’s next two seasons ($3.1 and $3.2 million) aren’t fully guaranteed.  Brandon Wright’s $993k isn’t locked in either.

The Denver Nuggets haven’t always gotten consistent play from Timofey Mozgov but at $3.1 million ($1.4 million guaranteed), he’s still at a discounted price for a big man.  Additionally, second-year point guard Julyan Stone isn’t guaranteed.

Samuel Dalembert, of the Houston Rockets, has just $1.5 million of his $6.7 million deal guaranteed by the Rockets.  Houston is expected to be a team actively looking for trades.  Dalembert could easily on the move or back with the Rockets, as Houston’s path is a tough one to call.

Brad Miller has already announced his retirement but he is still under contract next year for $5.1 million with about $850k guaranteed.  Look for the Minnesota Timberwolves to use him as trade bait along with Martell Webster whose $5.7 million is only locked in for $600k.

Shaun Livingston has fought his way back from that devastating knee injury but still needs his $3.5 million to be locked in by the Milwaukee Bucks.  Livingston has a $1 million guarantee.  Expect the Bucks to retain Jon Leuer at $762k.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have Daniel Gibson on the books for $4.8 million but only $2.3 million is guaranteed.  Forward Samardo Samuels at $854k is probably a worthy investment given the price.

The most sizable contract of note would be Rashard Lewis’ with the Washington Wizards.  Lewis can earn up to $22.7 million this coming season but only a portion is guaranteed, based on incentives.  It remains unclear how much he’s locked in to date but the word is he’s got about $12-13 million guaranteed.

Is there a compelling reason for the Wizards to pay Lewis $10 million of money they aren’t forced to?  Probably not.

Given how much Lewis would account for in trade (the full $22.7 million), it may be difficult for Washington to find a trade partner but the possibility remains.

Others of note:  E’Twaun Moore (Boston Celtics), Lance Stephenson (Indiana Pacers), Travis Leslie (Los Angeles Clippers), Andrew Goudelock (Los Angeles Lakers), Gustavo Ayon (New Orleans Hornets), Trey Johnson (Hornets), Jerome Jordan (New York Knicks), Josh Harrellson (Knicks), Sebastian Telfair (Phoenix Suns), Hassan Whiteside (Sacramento Kings), Isaiah Thomas (Kings), DeJuan Blair (San Antonio Spurs) and Gary Neal (Spurs).

NBA Playoff Power Rankings Week Five

5/29/12 – The San Antonio Spurs can’t be beat, at least until someone beats them.  So far this postseason, they’re undefeated.  The Miami HEAT take the first step over the Boston Celtics.  The Oklahoma City Thunder and Celtics will get another crack at stealing home court.  Meanwhile the lottery teams get ready for results, coming Wednesday May 30th.   The NBA playoffs, five weeks in . . .

	Team	Rank	Last	Standing	Comments
		1	1	9-0	Apparently no one on the Spurs has broken a sweat for three months.
		2	3	9-3	Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are playing at the top of their game (with Chris Bosh out).  Can the Celtics find an answer?
		3	2	8-2	Derek Fisher was giving the Spurs some flashbacks (13 points on 6-8 shooting) but the Thunder really needed more out of the combination of Russell Westbrook (17) and James Harden (19).
		4	4	8-6	The Celtics are going to need more from their tired vets (Ray Allen) to beat Miami.
		5	6	7-6	The Sixers had opportunities and maybe they over-achieved (with Derrick Rose going down) but it as a good run . . .
		6	5	6-5	Fascinating about this Pacers team that made such a strong run this season – Indiana still about $6 million under the cap.
		7	7	6-7	The Lakers have one more year before the graduated tax becomes a significant factor.  Can they change their economics without sacrificing wins?
		8	8	4-7	Neither Vice President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey nor Coach Vinny Del Negro is under guaranteed contract next season.  LAC has a number of significant decisions to make.

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