Houston Rockets Nene ordeal: 4 times the NBA voided deals

Toni Kukoc’s 1994 Contract with the Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls sixth man Toni Kukoc was arguably ahead of his time, as he was a European “stretch four” who would actually fit perfectly in today’s NBA. In 1993, prior to Kukoc’s first year in the NBA, the Bulls signed him to an eight year deal, which included a player option after the first year.  During his rookie year, Kukoc posted averages of 10.9 points and 4 rebounds per game. Kukoc helped lead the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, before they were eliminated by Pat Riley‘s New York Knicks. Interestingly enough, this was the first season in which the Rockets won the championship.

At the conclusion of this season, Kukoc exercised his player option and inked a new six year deal worth $24.6 million, with an additional one year player option. The league voided the contract, as they determined the Bulls were able to sign someone they otherwise wouldn’t have had cap space to sign. The salary cap rules stated that a team could re-sign one of their players for more money than the player’s “salary slot” without it affecting the salary cap.

The Bulls and Kukoc were able to agree to a re-worked 6 year contract worth $26 million, which interestingly enough made him the highest paid Bulls player in team history at the time. Following the new deal, Kukoc averaged 15.7 points per game, which was the third highest of his career. This was during the 1995 season in which the Rockets won their second consecutive championship.

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