Free Agent: Linas Kleiza

[Marcus Bryant]

http://www.nba.com/media/act_linas_kleiza.jpg

Linas Kleiza | SF/SG
Born: Jan 3, 1985
Height: 6-8 / 2,03
Weight: 245 lbs. / 111,1 kg.
College: Missouri
Years Pro: 3

info (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/linas_kleiza/index.html)

[TDMVPDPOY]

watever happen to this guy? he was good last season when the bigs were out injured on the nuggets team....

[MaNu4Tres]

I'd be interested. But for how much? I'd assume 4 - 5 million would do. If that's the case then we'd have to figure out a way to trade for a big man.

[kbrury]

kleiza has played pretty well the last few games, any chance of him in SA?

[DAF86]

For the right price, yes.

[trajik dark]

For the right price, yes.we can give them roger mason and then sign wafer

[urunobili]

He deserves more than 3 mill a year... definitively Spurs material... :tu

[Ditty]

would take for the LLE

[Pucho!!!]

Agreed, fo sho Spurs material! Perfect fit for the wing position (or even a small 4)!

[benefactor]

He will probably want more money than the Spurs are willing to pay. He is restricted so trying to get him for cheap is probably out of the question.

[bigdog]

For the right price, I wouldn't mind him. He's a tough, physical player that can shoot. He can be a bit of a chucker though, but that shouldn't matter with a coach like Pop.

[SenorSpur]

I'd be afraid of Pop falling too much in love with another one-dimensional 3-point shooter. Spurs already have enough of those. Besides, the Spurs are in desparate need of athleticism, scoring and defense at that position. Kleiza can score, but can't do the rest.

However, if you can tell me that Matt Bonner and Finley will be OFF the roster, I'd be interested.

[TDMVPDPOY]

lol im sure he can earn more in europr....LLE and 3m is just low balling contracts man...his worth a fair bit imo maybe the rest of the MLE....

[TheSpursFNRule]

The Spurs have always shown interest in him. I hope they pick him up, as said before, for the right price.

Really where did you hear this? This dude would fit in so fucking well with the spurs it makes me wanna rip my hair out.

[D-ROB 50]

Really where did you hear this? This dude would fit in so fucking well with the spurs it makes me wanna rip my hair out.

Like a freakin glove, total spur guy. Do it RC !

[yavozerb]

I'd be afraid of Pop falling too much in love with another one-dimensional 3-point shooter. Spurs already have enough of those. Besides, the Spurs are in desparate need of athleticism, scoring and defense at that position. Kleiza can score, but can't do the rest.

However, if you can tell me that Matt Bonner and Finley will be OFF the roster, I'd be interested.

This guy is def. not one dimensional..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaoVpqYcaJo

[TheSpursFNRule]

This guy is def. not one dimensional..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaoVpqYcaJo

yeah I agree he really impressed me with his array of moves in the series against LA.:bking

[Udokafan05]

He would be great at the 3 or coming off the bench, and is capable of putting up 30 or 40 on any given night.

[TheSpursFNRule]

He is the best thing since sliced bread.

[timvp]

I'd be afraid of Pop falling too much in love with another one-dimensional 3-point shooter. Spurs already have enough of those. Besides, the Spurs are in desparate need of athleticism, scoring and defense at that position. Kleiza can score, but can't do the rest.

However, if you can tell me that Matt Bonner and Finley will be OFF the roster, I'd be interested.

Yeah, Kleiza isn't one-dimensional at all. And he's pretty damn athletic. He's in the mold of Ron Artest and Andres Nocioni.

Kleiza would make a lot of sense on the Spurs. Good size, strength, rebounding, shooting and he played well against the Lakers.

An MLE run at Kleiza actually makes a lot of sense now that I think about it . . .

[tav1]

Yeah, Kleiza isn't one-dimensional at all. And he's pretty damn athletic. He's in the mold of Ron Artest and Andres Nocioni.

Kleiza would make a lot of sense on the Spurs. Good size, strength, rebounding, shooting and he played well against the Lakers.

An MLE run at Kleiza actually makes a lot of sense now that I think about it . . .

Meh. This is too strong an endorsement. He's a mediocre defender. Maybe that's a product of Karl, but I think giving him the full MLE would be too much. Besides, I think the Spurs will use their MLE on a big and draft and trade for a wing.

[Rogue]

Yeah, Kleiza isn't one-dimensional at all. And he's pretty damn athletic. He's in the mold of Ron Artest and Andres Nocioni.

Kleiza would make a lot of sense on the Spurs. Good size, strength, rebounding, shooting and he played well against the Lakers.

An MLE run at Kleiza actually makes a lot of sense now that I think about it . . .
A full MLE is to luxury for him, at least the Spurs shouldn't pay him that much considering their owner is among the least wealthy owners around the league. Actually he has some elements from both Ron and Nocioni, but neither of them has met even half as Ron's and Nocioni's. I would rather consider Tony Longoria the combination of Isiah Thomas and John Stockton.

[TheSpursFNRule]

Who wants to start the Kleiza chants?

[loveforthegame]

I see the Spurs throwing the MLE at someone like him or Ariza and hope they take it. I'm fine with that.

Problem then is that they'll need to hope for a big man through a trade and find a gem of a shooting guard in the draft.

[Ditty]

I see the Spurs throwing the MLE at someone like him or Ariza and hope they take it. I'm fine with that.

Problem then is that they'll need to hope for a big man through a trade and find a gem of a shooting guard in the draft.

ariza would be perfect :toast

[timvp]

Meh. This is too strong an endorsement. He's a mediocre defender. Maybe that's a product of Karl, but I think giving him the full MLE would be too much. Besides, I think the Spurs will use their MLE on a big and draft and trade for a wing.

I didn't say full MLE and he had the best defensive +/- stats of anyone on the Nuggets in the playoffs. :)

He's definitely still a work but he would bring a lot of useful attributes. Kleiza wouldn't be able to come close to replacing Bowen on the defensive end ... but I've pretty much given up on the Spurs being able to find a Bowen replacement. With Kleiza at SF, at least he strengthens the frontline in terms of size and toughness.

But yeah, it depends on how the Spurs go about getting the pieces they need. If they trade for a big, then trying to steal Kleiza by using a chunk the MLE could be a smart avenue to take. I agree that a maxed out MLE is too much ... but then again the pickings are so slim this summer that Kleiza could very well get that offer. D'Antoni, for one, has been after him for a while.

As for the draft, it's pretty much irrelevant in terms of piecing together the team. There's no way a player drafted in the second round can be counted on to do anything. Drafting a big or a wing wouldn't make either need less glaring. And with Pop having no history of ever trading up, I think it's safe to say the Spurs won't be trading up into the first round for an impact rookie.

[timvp]

I see the Spurs throwing the MLE at someone like him or Ariza and hope they take it. I'm fine with that.

The Spurs have a 0% chance of getting Ariza this summer.

[benefactor]

Along with Gortat, Kleiza is one of the few players that I would delve into the 5 million dollar range to acquire. He is the type of player I think of getting when I think about the direction we will likely have to go in 2010...solid role players who we can put around the big three that will help us contend through 2012.

I'm curious how hard Denver is willing to fight to keep him. I read somewhere else a while back that Denver's owner is really partial to him. Denver is pushing the cap now with the contracts they have now though, so its hard to see them matching something in the 5 million range.

[Mel_13]

I didn't say full MLE and he had the best defensive +/- stats of anyone on the Nuggets in the playoffs. :)

He's definitely still a work but he would bring a lot of useful attributes. Kleiza wouldn't be able to come close to replacing Bowen on the defensive end ... but I've pretty much given up on the Spurs being able to find a Bowen replacement. With Kleiza at SF, at least he strengthens the frontline in terms of size and toughness.

But yeah, it depends on how the Spurs go about getting the pieces they need. If they trade for a big, then trying to steal Kleiza by using a chunk the MLE could be a smart avenue to take. I agree that a maxed out MLE is too much ... but then again the pickings are so slim this summer that Kleiza could very well get that offer. D'Antoni, for one, has been after him for a while.

As for the draft, it's pretty much irrelevant in terms of piecing together the team. There's no way a player drafted in the second round can be counted on to do anything. Drafting a big or a wing wouldn't make either need less glaring. And with Pop having no history of ever trading up, I think it's safe to say the Spurs won't be trading up into the first round for an impact rookie.

That is the MLE dilemna. Every team over the cap has it at their disposal and it only takes one team to set the market for any one player. Players like Kleiza may not be worth the full MLE, but it is entirely possible that he will get it.

The full MLE offer is a longshot bet. The great majority of players on full or nearly full MLE contracts never come close to playing to the level of their contracts. Try to think of players signed for all or most of the MLE that were/are in line for a raise at the end of their deals. Hard to do. Now try to think of MLE players that become cap killers and trade fillers and can't get a job in the NBA much above the vet min when their deals are up. Much longer list.

So for a team on a budget like the Spurs, players like Kleiza pose a problem. They can obviously help the team but a 3yr/12M or a 4yr/16M offer probably gets matched The full MLE offer of 5yr/33M probably gets the job done, but if he busts then the damage will be severe and long-lasting.

The Spurs have recently taken the low risk approach (Roger Mason) when using the MLE. It will be interesting to see if they are willing to place a big bet on a longshot this summer.

[timvp]

^^ True regarding the fail percentage of a full MLE contract. Even just think back to last year. If the Spurs would have landed Maggette, even that deal wouldn't look so grand right now with Maggette's injury woes.

[benefactor]

^^ True regarding the fail percentage of a full MLE contract. Even just think back to last year. If the Spurs would have landed Maggette, even that deal wouldn't look so grand right now with Maggette's injury woes.
Indeed. I was pretty pissed about Bad Porn opting to go with a crap team for more money, but now it's looking like we got pretty lucky. I can't imagine being GS right now. What is even funnier is that they are paying Capt. Jack less money than him and Jack is twice the player.

But as I have said before, we are coming to the point that a risk like this is starting to look closer to being a necessity instead of an option if we want to even consider contending next season. No move at all basically equals mailing next year in and hoping for the best in 2010.

[tav1]

I didn't say full MLE and he had the best defensive +/- stats of anyone on the Nuggets in the playoffs. :)

He's definitely still a work but he would bring a lot of useful attributes. Kleiza wouldn't be able to come close to replacing Bowen on the defensive end ... but I've pretty much given up on the Spurs being able to find a Bowen replacement. With Kleiza at SF, at least he strengthens the frontline in terms of size and toughness.

But yeah, it depends on how the Spurs go about getting the pieces they need. If they trade for a big, then trying to steal Kleiza by using a chunk the MLE could be a smart avenue to take. I agree that a maxed out MLE is too much ... but then again the pickings are so slim this summer that Kleiza could very well get that offer. D'Antoni, for one, has been after him for a while.

As for the draft, it's pretty much irrelevant in terms of piecing together the team. There's no way a player drafted in the second round can be counted on to do anything. Drafting a big or a wing wouldn't make either need less glaring. And with Pop having no history of ever trading up, I think it's safe to say the Spurs won't be trading up into the first round for an impact rookie.

That defensive +/- took me by surprise. I'm not sure what to make of it.

The draft is largely unimportant if the Spurs don't trade up in. We definitely agree on that much.

[tav1]

The Spurs have a 0% chance of getting Ariza this summer.

Not only that, but I'm not sure I'd even want him. I used to be on his bandwagon, but increasingly I doubt he'd fit the system. All sorts of talent. But I'm not sure if he's the right kind of talent. I'd prefer the Spurs to offer the full MLE to, say, Marvin Williams and see if Atlanta blinks.

[Spurs Brazil]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60267/20090701/raptors_turn_attention_to_kleiza/

Raptors Turn Attention To Kleiza

Toronto was interested in Charlie Villanueva, but he has now agreed to terms with Detroit.

The Raptors will now turn their attention back to Denver's Linas Kleiza, who they contacted early in the free agent process last night.

Via Toronto Star

[Marcus Bryant]

If the Spurs can land a starting center via trade (ie Foster) then making a run at Kleiza with the MLE might not be such a bad idea. He would be great off the bench, especially with his ability to play multiple positions.

[tav1]

I guess the market on Kleiza is partial MLE. That's a good price, but he's defensive liability. I'd rather retain Gooden and give a youngster like Hairston burn.

btw: I still don't know what to make of the defensive +/- numbers. I'm guessing aberration. Blame the noise.

[Spursmania]

I really have liked Kleiza for awhile, but the Spurs have never seemed too interested in him. Perhaps now... I think he would be a good fit we can't get Sheed or Dyess.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I'd be afraid of Pop falling too much in love with another one-dimensional 3-point shooter. Spurs already have enough of those. Besides, the Spurs are in desparate need of athleticism, scoring and defense at that position. Kleiza can score, but can't do the rest.

However, if you can tell me that Matt Bonner and Finley will be OFF the roster, I'd be interested.

I was thinking the same thing - if we could somehow swap Bonner for Kleiza, I'm all over it!

[urunobili]

I love this guy... he has the word Spurs written all over him... I still think Nocioni > Kleiza...

[urunobili]

Any word of where he'll be playing?

[peskypesky]

Like a freakin glove, total spur guy. Do it RC !

:toast

For the past several years, whenever I saw this guy get on the floor, I was impressed by his hustle and his ability to knock down big shots. His numbers are pretty damn good and I'd love to see him on the Spurs' second team.

[TimmehC]

Any word of where he'll be playing?

Olympiakos?

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60683/20090720/kleiza_in_talks_with_olympiakos/

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Olympiacos is trying to get him.

http://www.talkbasket.net/news/olympiacos-not-giving-up-on-kleiza-1680.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Aj0VzGxUzVcY0kW7n60nxyO8vLYF?slug=ys-freeagentbuzz072509&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Also Khimki is going to make an offer to him now because Garbajosa left them.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Olympiakos?

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60683/20090720/kleiza_in_talks_with_olympiakos/

It is spelled Olympiacos.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Who cares? They are still gonna get dominated by the Spirs.

The Spurs will dominate the 19-20 year old bench players of Olympiacos? Wow.

[Calavera]

It is spelled Olympiacos.


but their web page is called olympiakos.gr, so don`t be so punctual.

Kleiza is great player, it will be sad if he doesn`t play in the league, but I don`t see how we can get him...

[angelbelow]

If the nuggets dont keep him they have an even weaker bench.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

but their web page is called olympiakos.gr, so don`t be so punctual.

Kleiza is great player, it will be sad if he doesn`t play in the league, but I don`t see how we can get him...

No it is not dumb ass.

http://olympiacos.org/

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

http://www.sport-fm.gr/article/188495

Kleiza's agent said that they will finalize agreement with Olympiacos very soon.

[admiralsnackbar]

No it is not dumb ass.

http://olympiacos.org/

Considering we use different alphabets, your point seems moot. Since Greek only has the Kappa to make a "C" sound, it makes little difference whether you choose to latinize/anglicize the team name as Olympiacos, or retain a more traditional Olympiakos spelling. The team owns both domains, so there's obviously enough ambiguity on the issue to warrant their purchase. Dumb ass.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Considering we use different alphabets, your point seems moot. Since Greek only has the Kappa to make a "C" sound, it makes little difference whether you choose to latinize/anglicize the team name as Olympiacos, or retain a more traditional Olympiakos spelling. The team owns both domains, so there's obviously enough ambiguity on the issue to warrant their purchase. Dumb ass.

Olympiakos is not correct English.

And the official site is olympiacos.org

Also the OFFICIAL name IS Olympiacos.

And if you don't believe it then explain this

http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/54817/180/item

For some weird reason Americans cannot spell the name right.

[ChumpDumper]

You spelled America with a k for months, so just shut up about Olympikaka.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

You spelled America with a k for months, so just shut up about Olympikaka.

Amerika IS correct spelling. This was ALREADY EXPLAINED before do not start this again.

[ChumpDumper]

Amerika IS correct spelling. This was ALREADY EXPLAINED before do not start this again.No, it isn't. This was ALREADY EXPLAINED before do not start this again.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

No, it isn't. This was ALREADY EXPLAINED before do not start this again.

America is ONLY how it is spelled if you write in US. Outside US it is written Amerika. That is a fact and you know it because it was already explained.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

No, it isn't. This was ALREADY EXPLAINED before do not start this again.

Also how do I ignore? I cannot see it. Cannot I not use ignore list because I am pinked? Tell me. I know you know how because many must have you on ignore.

[ChumpDumper]

America is ONLY how it is spelled if you write in US. Outside US it is written Amerika. That is a fact and you know it because it was already explained.Lies!

The UK and Australia definitely spell it with a C.

[ChumpDumper]

In Spanish and Portuguese, it's América.

[ChumpDumper]

In Italian, it's l'america

[Muser]

America is ONLY how it is spelled if you write in US. Outside US it is written Amerika. That is a fact and you know it because it was already explained.


Incorrect.

U.K/Australia/New Zealand/Canada etc. all use America.

[ChumpDumper]

In French, it's l'Amérique.

So you have been proven to be a liar.

Again.

[Blackjack]

Kori,

How did you not pair K_B_P with CD in the poll?

They'd definitely get my vote.:lol

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

You have serious lack of education. Amerika is correct English spelling for all people outside US that do not speak English.

FACT

As usual you like to make up lies.

[ChumpDumper]

You have serious lack of education. Amerika is correct English spelling for all people outside US that do not speak English.

FACT

As usual you like to make up lies.All people outside US that do not speak English?
In Spanish and Portuguese, it's América.


In Italian, it's l'america


In French, it's l'Amérique.Liar.

[Calavera]

Kill Bill, you seem to be very annoying person, try to reduce the use of words like dumbass and maybe it will be possible to discuss something with you.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Kill Bill, you seem to be very annoying person, try to reduce the use of words like dumbass and maybe it will be possible to discuss something with you.

Sorry. But as you can see there are some that harass me here and they are very racist. Sorry if I took you for one and you are not.

[JustBlaze]

Originally Posted by Kill_Bill_Pana http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/images/Style_Templates/Flashskin/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3611475#post3611475)
http://www.sport-fm.gr/article/188495

Kleiza's agent said that they will finalize agreement with Olympiacos very soon.
Shit son, hope this isn't the case. Nugz really need him to provide some scoring off the bench even more so if JR is to start next season.

[superbigtime]

Sorry. But as you can see there are some that harass me here and they are very racist. Sorry if I took you for one and you are not.

Shut the fuck up you pedasteric pedophile sick Greek fuck. Just stay away from schools.

[hater]

KBP is the Sasha Vujachick of internet posters