11.   However, the vast riches of drafts past may not be waiting because of a proposed rookie salary cap in the new collective bargaining agreement.

12.   How about grading the rookie cap to make the maximum amount available only to players who have completed their eligibility?

13.   In the NBA, some veteran players have proposed a rookie salary cap to limit how much an unproven player can earn.

14.   It seems that a rookie salary cap has done nothing for the speed of signing first-round draft picks in the National Football League.

15.   Jones acknowledges that the negotiations will be tough because of the squeeze Hutchinson has put on the rookie cap.

16.   Naturally, the new rookie cap is heartily endorsed by Clippers coach Bill Fitch, who went through the Murray and Piatkowski holdouts in his first season in L.A.

17.   Phoenix is already a decent, entertaining team and the five first-rounders would come relatively cheap, their salaries fixed by the rookie salary cap.

18.   Rookies will be signed under the guidelines of the new rookie salary cap, which may lead to quicker signings and fewer holdouts.

19.   Suns President Jerry Colangelo, who carries some weight in NBA financial discussions, is a big proponent of a rookie cap.

20.   That means no one will know if there will be a rookie salary cap or when players will become unrestricted free agents.