Based on this year's League salary cap, a regular maximum salary is around 11.12 million, and under the "Bird clause" the maximum is 13.90 million.
Ron Artest had been with the Pacers for more than three years and fully qualified for the "Bird clause," meaning he could sign up to 13.90 million with the Pacers. Yet, now Larry Bird was only willing to offer him around 10 million, which wasn't even considered a regular max contract.
Compared to the small O'Neal holding a 7-year, 130 million contract and Su Wan securing a starting salary of around 16.70 million in a max contract next year, this offer seemed quite meager.
Naturally, he would not agree to such a contract.
As the preseason approached, he approached Rick Carlisle, demanding more shooting rights.
Of course, before approaching Carlisle, he first went to Su Wan, "I can only assume that Larry's doing this because he thinks my stats aren't flashy enough. If I want a big contract, I must produce better numbers."
