Cutting Sehorn would cost the Giants about $700,000 in salary-cap space in 2003.

If the Giants cut Hamilton in June, it would cost them only $600,000 in salary-cap space.

The Lakers' effort to rebuild on the fly, without salary-cap space, has brought uneven results.

The Redskins apparently needed the extra time to free salary-cap space before Coles signed the offer sheet, which included a $13 million signing bonus.

In other cities, a franchise with a bloated payroll and lousy record might strip down, clear salary-cap space, hit the draft lottery and start over.

Knight, the Atlanta general manager, has stripped his roster of highly paid veterans, created salary-cap space and staked his faith in the draft.

After signing Rasho Nesterovic, the Spurs have about $8 million in salary-cap space.

That move cleared enough salary-cap space to allow the Redskins to trade Coles while limiting the effects of any cap charges.

All three teams have the salary-cap space to offer Martin the maximum contract he is seeking: six years and $85 million.

The Bucs hold his rights and must have the salary-cap space of more than $5 million to have him on the roster.