The Knight had heavily relied on three role players over the past two years. Donnell Marshall had collapsed this season, averaging 4 points in preseason games with a shooting percentage of 25%, and only played 6 minutes tonight. Including this season, he still has 2 years and 13 million left on his contract; Snow had been dropped from the opening game, still with 2 years and 14 million left; Damon Jones also had 2 years and 9 million left on his contract, with 1 out of 4 shots made in the opener.
Such a group of players, salaries plus luxury tax, nearly a hundred million...
The Knight's owner is willing to spend money because of 'money printer' James. Since the implementation of the salary cap until before the 05-06 season, the Knight's payroll had always fluctuated around the cap line, never splurging. But after James's rookie season, the Knight's spending started soaring.
