Knicks forward Vin Baker will get $16 million not to play for the Boston Celtics but his former team will save a lot more with him elsewhere.

"Under the agreement reached recently with Baker and the NBA Players Association, the Celtics will pay Baker $16 million over the next three seasons, in equal installments of $5.33 million per season. In addition, Baker's salary for the 2003-04 season was reduced from $13.5 million to around $6.1 million. The information came from salary documents recently made available to NBA teams."

Under the original deal, the Celtics would have had to pay Baker $14.625 million in 2004-05 and $15.750 million in 2005-06 if incentive clauses kicked in but now they only have to pay the $5.33 million each season.

All in all, the Celtics saved $21 million in this deal and will be likely avoid the luxury tax because of it.