 --With the addition of G Delonte West and F Darnell Jackson and the subtraction of G Billy Thomas, the Cavs currently have about $91 million in committed salaries for this season. If they waive C Lance Allred, as expected, they'll drop to about $90.4 million. It's the third-highest salary total in the league. As of now, they would have to pay about $20 million in luxury tax. New York still has the league's highest payroll at about $99 million. The Knicks are about $27 million into the tax. Dallas is second with about $95 million and is scheduled to pay about $24 million in tax. --G Delonte West's contract starts at $3,850,000 this season, a source said. If he gets 10-percent raises over the course of the contract, the three-year deal would be worth $12,705,000. He will be paid $4,235,000 in 2009-10 and $4,620,000 in 2010-11. The third year might not be a club option, as once thought, but it's conditional. West has $500,000 in salary protection in the third year. If he's on the roster by a certain date, his contract will become guaranteed. But the Cavs can waive him and he would be owed $500,000. The Cavs are obviously trying to retain their flexibility for the summer of 2010 when All-Star F LeBron James becomes an unrestricted free agent (assuming he opts out of that season on his contract). QUOTE TO NOTE: "He will score. He's a scorer. He can create his own shot and get his own shot. At the same time, he can get assists and get other people involved. He's a good pickup for them. (Williams and LeBron James will) get along well. LeBron needed someone else to create off the dribble and shoot the basketball. That's what he brings." -- Bucks G Michael Redd, on what Mo Williams brings to the Cavs. Author: Fox Sports Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com Added: September 22, 2008
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