Shawn Kemp, for those who aren't familiar, was a popular NBA star for most of the 1990s. Lately, however, he's had weight problems, drug problems and baby momma drama. Some accounts have him with 12 kids out of wedlock... 
From the Portland Oregonian
Blazers will waive Kemp
08/20/02
JASON QUICK
Shawn Kemp's troubled and controversial career as a Portland Trail Blazer is over in a move that is as puzzling as it is unprecedented.
Kemp will be waived by the Trail Blazers today after agreeing to forfeit more than $25 million of the $46.5 million left on his contract, The Oregonian has learned.
In the agreement, the Blazers will pay Kemp about $20 million over more than 10 years.
Although the NBA players association has expressed concern about the size of the deal, the union, the NBA, the Blazers and Kemp approved it. It is thought to be the most money a player has agreed to give back to a team.
It is unknown why Kemp would agree to give up $25 million of his guaranteed contract, and his agent and attorney did not return phone calls Monday.
The Blazers, through spokesman Mike Hanson, also did not comment Monday.
Kemp's contract still will count against the salary cap, but the Blazers will get an estimated $12.5 million reduction in each of the next two seasons in accordance with Kemp's forfeiture.
The move, which has been in the making for three months, has huge financial implications for the Blazers. The Blazers figure to save at least $40 million, considering the league's luxury-tax rules, which penalize teams one dollar for every dollar they are over the league's tax threshold.
Cleveland coach John Lucas, who has counseled Kemp in recent years, said he was shocked at the news.
"It's not often you hear of players giving back money, especially one of this magnitude," Lucas said. "It's a statement for the player, just in the regard that he is willing to give back a year of his money."
Lucas said he has visited and talked with Kemp recently, but he had no inkling that the move would happen.
Kemp signed a seven-year, $107 million contract in 1997 before he was traded from Seattle to the Cleveland Cavaliers, then traded to the Blazers before the 2000-01 season in a three-team deal that sent Brian Grant to Miami.
Kemp, who turns 33 in November, never regained his All-Star level of play in Portland, averaging 6.3 points in two seasons while battling weight and drug problems.
In April 2001, near the end of his first season in Portland, Kemp entered a drug rehabilitation center for cocaine use. He returned for the 2001-02 season but was suspended for five games in February for failing to comply with his aftercare program. He played in 75 games last season, starting five, and averaged 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 16.4 minutes.
Kemp appeared in six consecutive All-Star Games from 1993-1998, five with the Seattle SuperSonics and one with the Cavaliers. Blazers president Bob Whitsitt drafted Kemp in the first round of the 1989 draft when Whitsitt was the Sonics' general manager.
Some say Kemp had become burdened by the discrepancy of his production compared with his salary, which was set to be $21.5 million this season and $25 million next season. Whatever the reason, this much is known: Earlier this summer, Whitsitt approached Kemp because the team thought his contract was unfair. Kemp agreed and forfeited part of his contract.
It is thought that Kemp still wants to play in the NBA, and Lucas said he expects teams to be interested in signing Kemp. Jason Quick: 503-221-4372;
jasonquick@news.oregonian.com.
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