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PRINT THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE Monday, January 26, 1998 League says Spurs have only this week to use salary cap exception SAN ANTONIO (AP) - The San Antonio Spurs have lost an argument with the NBA over how long the team has to use a $1.9 million salary cap exception for recently released forward Charles Smith. Despite pleas from Spurs lawyers, the league ruled the team will have only until the end of this week to use the salary cap space. The Spurs contended the team should have through Oct. 1. "It's very disappointing we don't have the exception to use through the summer," Spurs general manager and coach Gregg Popovich told the San Antonio Express-News on Sunday. Popovich said the cap exception is now "nearly meaningless" because of the lack of quality free agents available. The decision likely will cost San Antonio a chance to sign a quality player this summer. The NBA determined in a Dec. 16 examination of Smith that his knee injury - a career-threatening case of osteoarthritis - was serious enough to warrant a salary cap exception. The Spurs waived Smith on Jan. 6. His salary will remain on the Spurs' cap until after the 1998-99 season. Reportedly, the New York Knicks are responsible for most of the remaining $8.5 million owned to Smith over the next two seasons. San Antonio acquired Smith in a trade with the Knicks in February 1996. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below: texnews.com Reporter OnLine Local Sports Texas Sports Copyright ©1998, Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below:

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