As we move forward with “Amnesty 2.0” in July, we will see the fascinating possibilities that the provision brings even as the number of teams and players left dwindles with time. One fun component of the rule is that we know exactly which players are eligible for it and that number can only decrease over time since the players had to have been under contract with the same team before the new CBA. As such, any trades, extensions, or contract expirations thin out the list. 

The other thing to remember is that most of the benefit of using the amnesty provision comes from additional flexibility in terms of the salary cap- the only money savings owners get from using it come from any reduction in luxury tax payments and whatever a “winning” team bids for that player on amnesty waivers.

Atlanta Hawks

Players Eligible for amnesty: Al Horford

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: None

Most likely amnesty decision: Not use it. Since the team traded all of its long-term contracts (except Horford) and potential candidates like Zaza Pachulia’s contracts expire this summer, the only player left for Atlanta to utilize the provision on is Horford. That is beyond unlikely.

Boston Celtics

Players Eligible for amnesty: Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: Paul Pierce

Most likely amnesty decision: Not use it. After signing five different players to contracts over $5 million for 2013-14 this past off-season, the Celtics took all the incentive out of using the amnesty provision on Pierce in 2013.

Brooklyn Nets

Used amnesty provision on Travis Outlaw (December 15, 2011) 

Charlotte Bobcats

Players Eligible for amnesty: Tyrus Thomas

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: Tyrus Thomas

Most likely amnesty decision: Tyrus Thomas in 2014. As of now, the Bobcats do not have enough salary on the books to necessitate making an amnesty move this coming summer. As such, the most likely play is to keep Thomas until the summer of 2014 when Ben Gordon’s contract is cleared from the ledger. As of now, Charlotte only has players on rookie deals and Brendan Haywood getting money then, so it could be the right time to strike.

Chicago Bulls

Players Eligible for amnesty: Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: Carlos Boozer

Most likely amnesty decision: Carlos Boozer in 2014. The decision has become even clearer now, though the Taj Gibson extension could push the timeline up a little bit if the Bulls are feeling the pressure financially next summer. However, Boozer’s last year comes the same year that Luol Deng becomes a free agent, so a proactive Bulls team could make some FA/trade noise since they have less money on the books.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Used amnesty provision on Baron Davis (December 14, 2011) 

Dallas Mavericks

Used amnesty provision on Brendan Haywood (July 12, 2012)

Denver Nuggets

Used amnesty provision on Chris Andersen (July 17, 2012)

Detroit Pistons

Players Eligible for amnesty: Charlie Villanueva and Greg Monroe

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: Charlie Villanueva

Most likely amnesty decision: Charlie Villanueva in 2013. It seemed like a foregone conclusion in 2012 and absolutely has to be done in 2013. I cannot see a tangible benefit to leaving his $8.58 million on the cap for 2013-14.

Golden State Warriors 

Used amnesty provision on Charlie Bell (December 11, 2011) 

Houston Rockets

Used amnesty provision on Luis Scola (July 13, 2012)

Indiana Pacers

Used amnesty provision on James Posey (December 12, 2011) 

Los Angeles Clippers

Used amnesty provision on Ryan Gomes (July 18, 2012)

Los Angeles Lakers

Players Eligible for amnesty: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace, Steve Blake

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: Metta World Peace, Steve Blake

Most likely amnesty decision: Metta World Peace in 2013. Since the Lakers have to decide about amnesty during the first week after the July moratorium, they will not have enough information on Kobe’s progress to amnesty him. Furthermore, they would only yield a big benefit if Dwight Howard leaves the Lakers and we likely will not know that at such an early stage in the process. Even though the Lakers continue to need a quality small forward in the worst way, shedding the final year of World Peace's onerous deal seems like the best play. The addition of Chris Duhon makes Steve Blake a slightly greater possibility but he still appears moveable via trade and provides fair value to the team.

Memphis Grizzlies

Players Eligible for amnesty: Zach Randolph, Mike Conley

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: Zach Randolph (in 2014)

Most likely amnesty decision: Not use it. Shedding Rudy Gay’s big contract means that the Grizzlies do not have to amnesty anyone in order to avoid the biggest costs of the new luxury tax system. At the present time, the only salaries the team has on the books for 2014-15 are Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley Jr, Tayshaun Prince, Darrell Arthur and Tony Wroten. Add in a rookie or two and you still have a workable structure. At this point it feels more likely that Randolph would get traded than amnestied since he would still provide value to the team.

Miami Heat

Players Eligible for amnesty: Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: Joel Anthony, Mike Miller

Most likely amnesty decision: Joel Anthony in 2014. The reigning champs did not lose a single player from their amnesty list over the past year thanks to roster stability. Mike Miller’s health could end up making him the pick but Joel Anthony’s $3.8 million final season stands out since the Heat do not have a veteran shooter locked up for 2014-15 at this time. Look for one of the two of them to be shed then, though.

Milwaukee Bucks

Players Eligible for amnesty: Drew Gooden and Larry Sanders

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: Drew Gooden

Most likely amnesty decision: Drew Gooden in 2013. At this point, Drew Gooden’s two remaining years are the only reasonable option left for amnesty purposes. Considering Brandon Jennings will get a major pay raise this summer and the Bucks will need any flexibility they can get whether or not they retain either Monta Ellis or JJ Redick, look for Gooden to go even though the team stands unlikely to benefit in any way other than cap room. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

Used amnesty provision on Darko Milicic (July 12, 2012)

New Orleans Hornets

Players Eligible for amnesty: No one

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: No one

Most likely amnesty decision: Not use it. By trading all three players eligible for the amnesty provision (Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza and Jarrett Jack), the Hornets became the first team to be assured not to use it this time around.

New York Knicks

Used amnesty provision on Chauncey Billups (December 10, 2011)

Oklahoma City Thunder

Players Eligible for amnesty: Kevin Durant, Kendrick Perkins, Thabo Sefolosha, Nick Collison

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: Kendrick Perkins

Most likely amnesty decision:  Not use it. We will have to see how Sam Presti handles the Kendrick Perkins situation but my read is that they will not utilize it after either of the next two seasons. Nick Collison would have a slight chance in 2014 if he were not so popular with the team and management.

Orlando Magic 

Used amnesty provision on Gilbert Arenas (December 9, 2011) 

Philadelphia 76ers

Used amnesty provision on Elton Brand (July 12, 2012)

Phoenix Suns

Used amnesty provision on Josh Childress (July 16, 2012)

Portland Trail Blazers

Used amnesty provision on Brandon Roy (December 15, 2011)

Sacramento Kings

Players Eligible for amnesty: John Salmons, DeMarcus Cousins

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: John Salmons

Most likely amnesty decision: John Salmons in 2013. Since Salmons’s deal is only partially guaranteed ($1 million) in 2014-15, the Kings would have some flexibility in the 2013 offseason when Evans can be extended and Cousins will be one year away if they cut him loose at that point. With new ownership looking to make a splash, having some extra money this offseason could be useful to the Kings.

San Antonio Spurs

Players Eligible for amnesty: Tony Parker and Matt Bonner

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: Matt Bonner

Most likely amnesty decision: Not use it. Bonner’s partially guaranteed 2013-2014 salary would be a possibility but appears unlikely at best.

Toronto Raptors

Players Eligible for amnesty: Andrea Bargnani, Amir Johnson, Linas Kleiza

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: Linas Kleiza, Andrea Bargnani

Most likely amnesty decision: Linas Kleiza in 2013. Utilizing amnesty on Bargnani would be too big an admission of defeat for management, though theoretically a change at the top coupled with more bad play could change the equation sufficiently to put Il Mago on the amnesty line. With that, getting a little bit more space in terms of the apron/tax line would be good for the Raptors if they are unwilling to bite the bigger bullet in the form of Bargnani.

Utah Jazz

Players Eligible for amnesty:  Derrick Favors

Reasonable candidates for amnesty: None

Most likely amnesty decision: Not use it. With only young buck Derrick Favors left as eligible to be amnestied, every conceivable sign points to the Jazz joining the Hornets in August 2013 as teams guaranteed not to use the provision.

Washington Wizards

Used amnesty provision on Andray Blatche (July 17, 2012)

MILWAUKEE – On the way out of Bradley Center for potentially one last time with the Milwaukee Bucks, on the way out to Los Angeles for the offseason, Brandon Jennings talked about his grand strategy, a perfect free agent path. He called this a season of fluctuating emotion, engraved with his lack of a contract extension last October and punctuated by a putrid shooting display in the Bucks’ first round sweep to the Miami Heat.

Jennings will now head back to the west coast not only to train, but also meet with his new agent, Jeff Schwartz, and reinforce a plan for his restricted free agency. Ultimately, the Bucks have the leverage to withstand the power play that awaits them, with the ability to keep Jennings through an extension or should he sign the qualifying offer.

Jennings was adamant on Sunday afternoon, promising his agent will take care of him this offseason. At every turn, he declared he didn’t know whether he wanted to be back. Even so, Jennings stopped on his way to the Bradley Center parking lot and admitted openness to staying with the Bucks.

“Yeah, of course I’d be cool coming back here,” Jennings told RealGM. “I started here. So that’s always a possibility.”

In a season that began with a game-winner by Jennings at home, he lacked assertiveness and had just three points, one made shot in seven attempts and one assist in 23 minutes in the Heat’s 88-77 Game 4 win. For the series, Jennings averaged 13.2 points and missed 40 of 57 attempts from the field, his shot and body language falling flat. There were extended slumps and benchings, frustration and confusion all season, and through it all Jennings hadn’t let go of the fact the Bucks didn’t give him the extension that top point guards in his draft class received.

The Bucks still appear poised to match any offer sheet that Jennings receives, and he told RealGM that a decision about possibly signing a one-year tender has yet to be made and will be done with Schwartz. Yes, Jennings and Schwartz are forging a power play, forging a market for the 23-year-old to get a lucrative long-term deal.

“My agent’s going to take care of everything,” Jennings said. “I don’t have no mindset. It’s up to my agent and everybody will find out July 1.”

As currently constructed, the Bucks aren’t strong enough to contend in the Eastern Conference and not weak enough to chase a high draft pick. Monta Ellis said Sunday he’ll mull over his $11 million player option for next season in the coming weeks before coming to a decision. Among the veteran free agents, Drew Gooden isn’t sure whether he’ll return, as an amnesty candidate, and Marquis Daniels told RealGM he feels healthy and will allow his agent to identify interested teams in the offseason.

In the end, it all revolves around Jennings, and he’s already made clear he wants to win and the Bucks would be inclined to add veterans and try to pile up picks for next year’s draft. His confidence in winning the first round series was always admirable; what else is a player supposed to say? Clearly, the Heat didn’t need the motivation to win, nor did LeBron James and Dwyane Wade use it.

Near the end of the regular season, Jennings had proposed an idea to his foundation: Building more basketball courts in Compton, his hometown. Yet, he’s gone from committed to the plan to unsure now. Just as he says his free agency decision is up to his agent, implementing the idea to build his own courts is hinging on others, too. “It might happen, it might not,” Jennings said. “I still got to check.”

Jennings will be back in Los Angeles soon either way, training and finalizing a strategy into restricted free agency. He had to get some joy telling everyone to wait for his decision on July 1, but Brandon Jennings alluded to a truth: The Bucks are still viable for him, where it all started.

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The Milwaukee Bucks aren't expected to beat the Miami Heat in the playoffs.The players can't come out and say it, but they know the defending champions are in another class.

The Bucks, however, are expected to put up a fight. The cupboard isn't bare for Milwaukee; they have a few talented pieces. That talent, combined with low expectations, makes them a very dangerous team with nothing to lose. 

But there are steps that need to be taken before any talks of a playoff miracle, or even a valiant effort, can take place. The Bucks are 3-7 in their last 10 games and looking more like a lottery team than a team headed for the playoffs. Milwaukee will finish the season with a record below .500.

The Bucks are not playing well and the players know it.

"We need to play better basketball; we're not very good right now,” J.J. Redick said. "That's pretty obvious. We don't play consistently on either side of the ball. A lot of it is just cleaning some stuff up because the talent is there."

Redick isn't the only player that's dissatisfied with the way the team is playing. Backing into the postseason is a recipe for embarrassment. But there is an understanding that the play must improve and a commitment to stay together while the team figures things out.

"No, I'm not happy with how we're playing because we're losing," Monta Ellis said. "But we have to stay positive, think about the road ahead of us and try to finish the season off on the right note so we can enter the playoffs with a great mind set."

For Ellis, starting the process is simple and staying together is a top priority.

"We just need to stay together and try to figure out a way to turn it around in the last few games," he said.

Effort and energy will also be a priority for the Bucks. It's one of the things that the players can control every night. Despite a few disappointing losses, the effort has been something that Bucks' head coach Jim Boylan has been satisfied with. The coach plans to build from the team's effort and hopes to finish the season strong.

"We're going to keep at it," Boylan said. "I liked the effort against Orlando; our guys played really, really hard. As long as we do that good things will happen for us. We still have some games left in the season. We have Charlotte, Denver at home and OKC. We're going to go up to Atlanta and play hard."