General 2012 Free Agency Discussion

[Mel_13]

The N.B.A. players union is asking an arbitrator to clarify certain free-agent rights in a case that could immeasurably benefit the Knicks this summer, according to several people involved in the process.

The case concerns what are known as “Bird rights,” which allow a player to re-sign with his team, without regard to the salary cap. The league contends those rights are lost when a player changes teams through waivers. The union is challenging that interpretation.

If the union prevails, the Knicks would be able to re-sign both Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak, their two top free agents, despite cap constraints. They would also retain a $5 million salary slot — known as the mid-level exception — for use on another player, possibly J.R. Smith, who might opt out of his Knicks contract.

But if the union’s challenge fails, the Knicks will probably lose Novak and possibly Smith, when free agency opens in July. And they will have little ability to sign a significant free agent — such as Steve Nash — once they re-sign Lin.

The union sent a letter seeking arbitration on Monday and hopes to have the matter settled by the time free agency opens on July 1. The union and the league must first select an arbitrator.

The case could also affect J.J. Hickson of the Portland Trail Blazers and Chauncey Billups of the Los Angeles Clippers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/15/sp...&smid=tw-share

[coyotes_geek]

At issue is whether a player retains his Bird rights when he changes teams through a waiver claim, as Lin, Novak, Hickson and Billups did this season.

The union contends that a player claimed on waivers should retain all contractual benefits, as he does when he is traded. The league disagrees, citing a specific clause in the labor agreement that indicates Bird rights are lost when a player is waived, even if another team claims him.

From the link above....

[lurker23]

Thanks for the story Mel_13 and coyotes_geek, I was reading about that yesterday. I don't really see how the union has a case, since it sounds pretty black-and-white in the CBA. I know the union will always see things through the players' lenses, but in my mind the Bird rights have never been about giving the player more contractual rights, but rather giving teams a chance to retain their players and go over the cap if they keep their players long enough.

[Richie]

So how much do you guys think a team will offer Green as an RFA, or will he not get any offers?

[coyotes_geek]

There's no telling. I'd think that most teams would pretty much write off Green as unattainable, but it only takes one to drive up the cost for the Spurs. Since any team interested in Green would have to overpay to get him, any offer he gets from another team would probably be for most of, if not all of, the nontax MLE ($5M). Not necissarily saying I think Green will get offered that much, but it sure wouldn't shock me.

There are some restricted free agents who you let test the market and bring you back an offer sheet, but I don't think Green is one of those guys. If I'm Pop/RC I try to get Green to agree to something in the range of Bonner money ($3-$3.5) before the bigger name FA SG's get signed.

Every team in the league wants a 6-6 SG who can shoot the 3 and defend on their roster. I don't think the Spurs should gamble that no one out of the other 29 teams will think Green is worth pursuing. Picking one example, are there any doubts Miami would love to have a Danny Green on their roster right about now?

[Ditty]

My guess is that Green will get MLE type money if he continues guarding the likes of Chris Paul, Westbrook, and Wade pretty well. I think he will get Trevor Ariza type of attention as he got back in 09.

[vjcchs12]

Ryan Anderson would be a sweet addition to start at power forward if we could some how get him after re-signing Duncan at a lower salary.

[Bruno]

http://www.zagsblog.com/2012/05/21/l...-school-early/

Landesberg has upcoming workouts with the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs

IIRC, Sylven Landesberg was/is mountainballer's guy.

[BackHome]

So who is better him or Adam Hanga?

[Bruno]

Free agent profiles will be made in the next few days.

[Richie]

How much do you think Andre Miller will get in free agency? We probably don't have a chance if Diaw takes the full MLE

[elemento]

Andre Miller would be an amazing backup for Parker, but i have the feeling he is still a capable starter in this league. He will get full MLE IMO

[SOMA Spur]

Does anyone know the date Patty Mills has to opt in for the final year of his contract? (I doubt he opts ins, but I like the kid so I hope he does.)

If that date is before the draft I imagine that's the first domino that will fall this offseason. If he opts in we have out backup PG, if he doesn't, we move on to Nando or someone else.

Also is there some place on the web that lists the Waiver wire order for NBA teams...curious where we stand.

Final thought, just looked at some amnesty candidates from other teams - some interesting options out there - Elton Brand, Tyrus Thomas, Rashard Lewis, Birdman, a few others. Another wildcard, along with the draft and FA, to think about over the next few weeks.

Thanks in advance for answering my questions above.

[Andthentherewas21]

Does anyone know the date Patty Mills has to opt in for the final year of his contract? (I doubt he opts ins, but I like the kid so I hope he does.)

If that date is before the draft I imagine that's the first domino that will fall this offseason. If he opts in we have out backup PG, if he doesn't, we move on to Nando or someone else.

Also is there some place on the web that lists the Waiver wire order for NBA teams...curious where we stand.

Final thought, just looked at some amnesty candidates from other teams - some interesting options out there - Elton Brand, Tyrus Thomas, Rashard Lewis, Birdman, a few others. Another wildcard, along with the draft and FA, to think about over the next few weeks.

Thanks in advance for answering my questions above.

Not sure as to Mill's contract in particular but generally its by midnight on June 30th, unless both sides agree to extend the deadline ala what Antonio Mcdyess did last year

[TheCerebral1]

Andre Miller, blah. No thanks on that. We definitely do need an upgrade over Neal. Who I do want to return but not as a PG. :/

[Bruno]

Does anyone know the date Patty Mills has to opt in for the final year of his contract? (I doubt he opts ins, but I like the kid so I hope he does.)

June 25th.

[SOMA Spur]

thanks, Bruno. you do an amazing job on this board.

[tkang456]

How about taking a go at Greg Oden or Thabeet. These guys are busts but they were lottery pick at once for something. We can try to develop these guys.

[SamoanTD]

How about taking a go at Greg Oden or Thabeet. These guys are busts but they were lottery pick at once for something. We can try to develop these guys.

I heard Oden is out another year rehabilitating and Thabeet idk would have to see what we do in the draft. If we don't get big's then he's worth a look for the min.

[Chawaman]

Any chance on going after roy hibbert?

[elemento]

Considering that Hibbert is a RFA, i think the Pacers will match anything for him, even if it's max money. Plus, we don't have cap space to make a big offer.

[SamoanTD]

Hibbert is pipe dream in my opinion.

[CGD]

The days of the dominant bigs (Robinson, Ewing, Hakeem, Shaq, and Duncan) are over officially. After watching this Spurs series, and observing the general trend of the NBA, i can't help but think that post-play ball is dead. This time last year I was clamoring, like many here, for a big who could score on the block (e.g., Hibbert, Jefferson), but I wonder if the Spurs wouldn't best be served by collecting as many 6'7"-6' 8" dudes with long arms as possible.

The future "big" need only be super athletic, recover fast on D, and work on developing a midrange shot (e.g., Chris Bosh), but size is no longer the equation given the speed of the game. Hell in this future nba, Serge Ibaka (Serge Ibaka!) is a star in the making. Sure we have Dwight, but does anyone else feel that he is "so great" bc he perpetually plays against smaller players and muscles them down low? Then again, the "great" Shaq will be first ballot Hall of Famer too. And Bynum, Mr. Western Conference All-star by default, considering him "great" is laughable based on his maturity alone.

All this to say: no to trades for Hibbert-types, yes to trades for Josh Smith types....

[SenorSpur]

Considering that Hibbert is a RFA, i think the Pacers will match anything for him, even if it's max money. Plus, we don't have cap space to make a big offer.

Hibbert has stated on more than two different occasions, that he loves Indiana and has no intention of leaving. Cross him off the wishlist.

[TD 21]

The days of the dominant bigs (Robinson, Ewing, Hakeem, Shaq, and Duncan) are over officially. After watching this Spurs series, and observing the general trend of the NBA, i can't help but think that post-play ball is dead. This time last year I was clamoring, like many here, for a big who could score on the block (e.g., Hibbert, Jefferson), but I wonder if the Spurs wouldn't best be served by collecting as many 6'7"-6' 8" dudes with long arms as possible.

The future "big" need only be super athletic, recover fast on D, and work on developing a midrange shot (e.g., Chris Bosh), but size is no longer the equation given the speed of the game. Hell in this future nba, Serge Ibaka (Serge Ibaka!) is a star in the making. Sure we have Dwight, but does anyone else feel that he is "so great" bc he perpetually plays against smaller players and muscles them down low? Then again, the "great" Shaq will be first ballot Hall of Famer too. And Bynum, Mr. Western Conference All-star by default, considering him "great" is laughable based on his maturity alone.

All this to say: no to trades for Hibbert-types, yes to trades for Josh Smith types....

Exactly.

I still think the Spurs could use a brute for certain match-ups/situations, but a minimal type like Gray or Orton would suffice. As far as their rotation, they need a Smith type. But even if they wanted a Hibbert type, there's nothing the Spurs could realistically offer that would dissuade the Pacers from matching. It's very rare you see restricted free agents of that caliber move.

[portnoy1]

Exactly.

I still think the Spurs could use a brute for certain match-ups/situations, but a minimal type like Gray or Orton would suffice. As far as their rotation, they need a Smith type. But even if they wanted a Hibbert type, there's nothing the Spurs could realistically offer that would dissuade the Pacers from matching. It's very rare you see restricted free agents of that caliber move.

I have been wanting the Spurs to get Aaron Gray for a little while now. He is a legit 7footer and is about 270lbs. Players like that do some serious lane clogging and take away the advantage that guys like Andrew Bynum have over the rest of the league. The Guy is cheap, I say sign him.

[Ditty]

Spurs not looking for a Center. They have TD and Splitter. I think they will make a run at Randolph from the tpups, maybe Hill from LA as he started to show what he can do defensively, If T Thomas gets bought out by the Bobcats which is rumored they may go after him as Pops likes him.

Outside of that, maybe a trade to help land Batum as the Spurs must upgrade the SG spot and have Manu off the bench. Decolo could come over and would give us a nice 4 guard rotation.

Spurs may look to give Oden a look over, Ian could be signed if he comes cheep and would get mins now.

Blair, Mills, Jax all on the block.

My long shot is Spurs unload Bonner and Jax with other considerations for Amare from NY as they want to unload his contract. If the spurs could some how get Fields and Amare and deal Jax contract, Blair, Bonner and maybe Lorbek rights, resign Green and bring Richards over I think we are right in it again next year.

Get bigger and younger on the wing, add a PF who can score and defend quicker pfs.....may be a long shot but it wouldnt be a bad short term move.

Garnett would be great too.......would bring a little fire and a guy who can defend away from the basket. Spurs need to add an athlete at the 2.

Well from your previous track record, I'm pretty sure we aren't getting any of those players now even if I stopped reading when I saw a Bonner for Amare trade.

[SamoanTD]

Spurs not looking for a Center. They have TD and Splitter. I think they will make a run at Randolph from the tpups, maybe Hill from LA as he started to show what he can do defensively, If T Thomas gets bought out by the Bobcats which is rumored they may go after him as Pops likes him.

Outside of that, maybe a trade to help land Batum as the Spurs must upgrade the SG spot and have Manu off the bench. Decolo could come over and would give us a nice 4 guard rotation.

Spurs may look to give Oden a look over, Ian could be signed if he comes cheep and would get mins now.

Blair, Mills, Jax all on the block.

My long shot is Spurs unload Bonner and Jax with other considerations for Amare from NY as they want to unload his contract. If the spurs could some how get Fields and Amare and deal Jax contract, Blair, Bonner and maybe Lorbek rights, resign Green and bring Richards over I think we are right in it again next year.

Get bigger and younger on the wing, add a PF who can score and defend quicker pfs.....may be a long shot but it wouldnt be a bad short term move.

Garnett would be great too.......would bring a little fire and a guy who can defend away from the basket. Spurs need to add an athlete at the 2.

This is BEYOND wishful thinking .

[CGD]

Randolph please.

Also we should track what I call the fallen angles from previous drafts that went over to Europe. I know they're out there, but we know nothing of them. The way the college game is going, Europe is going to be like sophomore and junior year for a lot of these kids with lofty one and done dreams.

[admiralsnackbar]

Spurs not looking for a Center. They have TD and Splitter. I think they will make a run at Randolph from the tpups, maybe Hill from LA as he started to show what he can do defensively, If T Thomas gets bought out by the Bobcats which is rumored they may go after him as Pops likes him.

Outside of that, maybe a trade to help land Batum as the Spurs must upgrade the SG spot and have Manu off the bench. Decolo could come over and would give us a nice 4 guard rotation.

Spurs may look to give Oden a look over, Ian could be signed if he comes cheep and would get mins now.

Blair, Mills, Jax all on the block.

My long shot is Spurs unload Bonner and Jax with other considerations for Amare from NY as they want to unload his contract. If the spurs could some how get Fields and Amare and deal Jax contract, Blair, Bonner and maybe Lorbek rights, resign Green and bring Richards over I think we are right in it again next year.

Get bigger and younger on the wing, add a PF who can score and defend quicker pfs.....may be a long shot but it wouldnt be a bad short term move.

Garnett would be great too.......would bring a little fire and a guy who can defend away from the basket. Spurs need to add an athlete at the 2.

You're slipping, 2Step -- ooooooobviously we need to trade Tony for George Hill, slide Kawhi to PF, and package Bonner, Jax, and the rights to Karualov for the #3 pick and hope we can draft a PF with teenytiny thalidomide hands.