1.   Because of cap rules that allow teams to pay their own free agents whatever they choose, the Lakers were never going to be able to outbid the Magic.

2.   Alexander is likely to be included to make the deal work under salary cap rules.

3.   But while the new salary cap rules would seem to work against the Sonics in moving Payton, there likely will be numerous teams in worse shape than Seattle.

4.   Even under present salary cap rules, which the owners are determined to tighten in negotiations this summer, no other team can come close to matching his salary.

5.   However, the majority also felt that Jones was trying to push the salary cap rules to the limit.

6.   If he does want to play, the NFL would be crazy not to bend its salary cap rules to facilitate a trade.

7.   It will take a lot to get Barkley, more than the Knicks can offer straight-up under salary cap rules.

8.   Nobody knows what the salary cap rules are going to be yet.

9.   Teams are also wary of making deals with a lockout looming and a new collective-bargaining agreement on the way and possibly changing the cap rules drastically.

10.   The best solution, say haulers, would be reform of the cap rules.