RICHARD JEFFERSON opts OUT!!

[Creation88]

HALLELUJAH ksat news

[romsho]

Apparently Richard Jefferson is opting out of his contract and becomes a free agent. Don't ask for a link or source, I can't give it to you. Come back and crush me later if Im wrong. Should be out there later tonight anyway.

[Russ]

Oh, hey, wow, cool.

[TIMMYD!]

I don't know what to believe...

[Solid D]

I just heard it, too.

[TimmehC]

Bullshit. This needs links.

[SpursTillTheEnd]

Thank you jesus hell yea best news ive heard since rj been on this team fuck rj

[Creation88]

turn on KSAT 12 now!

[Dex]

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157481

Very interesting if true.

[ohmwrecker]

Link?

This really sucks if it's true. You guys do realize that the Spurs will have NO SF AND NO extra cap relief, right?

[Ditty]

yah its on ksat and woai there about to show it they went to commercial

[FkLA]

What a bitch ass. As if he hadnt hurt the Spurs enough already.

For those of you rejoicing this aint good news. Even with his 15 mill off the books the Spurs wont have money to spend in FA, as bad as RJ was his replacement wont be as talented. Not only that but a 15 mill expiring contract couldve had alot of value going into the trade deadline. Fuck you Dick Jefferson. Fuck you.

[romsho]

Yep. Figured it out about 5 seconds too late. Good.

[ohmwrecker]

I hope this means a sign & trade is going to happen.

[Mel_13]

From KSAT: Richard Jefferson has just opted out of the final year of his contract .. would have guaranteed him $15.2 M.

http://twitter.com/ticket760

Looks like it's true. Peter Holt must be doing a happy dance. No excuse not to pay Splitter now.

[Spursfan092120]

It's true.

[Dex]

Link?

This really sucks if it's true. You guys do realize that the Spurs will have NO SF AND NO extra cap relief, right?

Exactly.

As much of a drag as RJ was, this isn't exactly a blessing. Now we just have another hole to fill, but no extra pegs to do it.

[Solid D]

"The Spurs called KSAT and told them just a few minutes ago."

[TIMMYD!]

I don't know what to believe...

It's true. So what now?

[spursfaninla]

we are screwed. we have no money to get a replacement, and have no sf. We have fewer trade assets for later.

ouch.

[SpursTillTheEnd]

i prayed to the lord rj would opt out and it happened

[Spurs Brazil]

Fuck

He killed the Spurs during the season and now in the off-season.

FUCK YOU AND GTFO, SOB

[Samr]

Well, there goes some great trade bait. I'm not sure how to feel about this, but I'm leaning on being kind of upset.

Spurs are already into luxury tax so this doesn't bring anyone but Holt relief. On the other hand, it does open up another roster spot, and it adds one more FA for the spending teams to be concerned about. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

[EricB]

Damn.

The Spurs just got royally screwed


You people saying thank god are so fucking stupid....

[SenorSpur]

Just heard it announced on ESPN 1250 The Zone.

Word came from a text message the Spurs PR Director

[Sii]

Fuck Dick Jefferson

Good riddance. not sad to see him go

[TIMMYD!]

Damn.

The Spurs just got royally screwed


You people saying thank god are so fucking stupid....

He would have been great trade bait during the trade deadline...

[Ditty]

Link?

This really sucks if it's true. You guys do realize that the Spurs will have NO SF AND NO extra cap relief, right?

who cares spurs are now under the cap :toast

[BadMotorscooter]

Well, there goes some great trade bait. I'm not sure how to feel about this, but I'm leaning on being kind of upset.

Spurs are already into luxury tax so this doesn't bring anyone but Holt relief. On the other hand, it does open up another roster spot, and it adds one more FA for the spending teams to be concerned about. It'll be interesting to see what happens.


+1 Alot of posters are celebrating but dont realize this was gonna be a great trade chip. A big expiring contract just went down the tubes and we get nothing.

[Creation88]

you guys saying it's bad are fucking retarded.

[Spursfan092120]

http://twitter.com/ksatnews

[koriwhat]

he's bitchmade and made a bitch move... it happens.

[Spurs Brazil]

Damn.

The Spurs just got royally screwed


You people saying thank god are so fucking stupid....

Yep, our next SF will be a minimum player and his backup too

RJ fucked the Spurs big time

[DJB]

HALLELUJAH ksat news


That's not good news jerkoff.

[Mel_13]

Spurs still have full Bird Rights and can do a S&T with RJ.

[Creation88]

i cannot believe how much bullshit is coming off you guys' keyboards after the season Jefferson just put up. now everyone's suddenly on the bandwagon!? ST is classic.

[DesignatedT]

Wow

[daslicer]

Most of the guys who are celebrating in this thread are dumbasses. Even with RJ opting out the spurs still don't have enough money to sign a big time FA to improve their team. RJ is an average player no doubt about it but his contract was a HUGE asset its the type of contract that is in demand during the trade deadline and can bring you a very good player in return for it. This really sucks now the spurs can't even make their roster better through trading RJ.

[Libri]

That dude from KSAT said that the Spurs now have a bunch money to spend. lol

[angelbelow]

omg...

[Trainwreck2100]

you guys saying it's bad are fucking retarded.

yes he sucked, but who replaces him?

[Sii]

Yep, our next SF will be a minimum player and his backup too

RJ fucked the Spurs big time

Jefferson was trash hee

how hard would it be to find someone to do a bit more? even for less money someone could be found to be better than Richard fucking Jefferson

[ducks]

the spurs need to work out a sign and trade if rj does not want to resign with the spurs

[mingus]

from an economical standpoint, this is potentially a good thing for Mr. Holt. however, now, the Spurs not only have to find a back up SF, but a starting SF for next year.

i was expecting a better RJ for this coming year - an improved 3-point shooter, and just better generally having been through the process for one whole year - so this is a dissapointment imo.

[Creation88]

yes he sucked, but who replaces him?

who gives a fuck. anyone's an upgrade at this point. he was terrible and a waste.

[Ditty]

so now that the spurs are under the cap we dont have the MLE right?

[ohmwrecker]

What a bitch ass.Fuck you Dick Jefferson. Fuck you.


FUCK YOU AND GTFO, SOB


i prayed to the lord rj would opt out and it happened

THIS . . . is exactly why he opted out. He was made the scapegoat for a disappointing season. Nice going, assholes. Spurs fans suck.

[SpursTillTheEnd]

this is a good thing fuck u eric b rj sucked ass im glad hes gone more playing time for gee and hariston

[Spurs Brazil]

Spurs still have full Bird Rights and can do a S&T with RJ.

Do you believe the Spurs may re-sign him for something like $21 million 3 year?

Spurs have 2 options, re-sign RJ with the Bird Rights or go with 2 players at SF, one with LLE and other with minimum salary

[Solid D]

So, Matt Barnes is a cheap replacement....and they WILL need a cheap replacement.

[ducks]

who gives a fuck. anyone's an upgrade at this point. he was terrible and a waste.

how can spurs get someone
rj does not have to do a sign and trade!

[EricB]

you guys saying it's bad are fucking retarded.


Hey fucktard, Spurs are over the cap, how the FUCK do they replace him and with what?!!?

[angelbelow]

i cannot believe how much bullshit is coming off you guys' keyboards after the season Jefferson just put up. now everyone's suddenly on the bandwagon!? ST is classic.

in case you are a full time idiot we are not band wagoning the player. he was better than nothing - which is what we might end up with now.

[spursfaninla]

i cannot believe how much bullshit is coming off you guys' keyboards after the season Jefferson just put up. now everyone's suddenly on the bandwagon!? ST is classic.

you think a minimum contract player is better? We are over the cap, and have the LLE. We have no sf starter and no backup.

Unless we pay rj a contract now with his bird rights, that he likes, he walks and we get nothing.

explain how this is better than:

31 min

46% fg

12 pts

4.4 reb

I see no one on the horizon that will give us that at the sf position that we get for the LLE or less.

[Spurs Brazil]

so now that the spurs are under the cap we dont have the MLE right?

wrong, still the same, MLE and LLE

[ducks]

this is a good thing fuck u eric b rj sucked ass im glad hes gone more playing time for gee and hariston

I want a title
I thought rj off the bench would be great
rj off the bench could have got the 6 man award

[FkLA]

i cannot believe how much bullshit is coming off you guys' keyboards after the season Jefferson just put up. now everyone's suddenly on the bandwagon!? ST is classic.

You fucking moron.

Dick sucked. But he's going to look like fucking Michael Jordan when you see someone like Roger Mason Jr. as his replacement. Because in case you havent noticed thats the type of caliber player the Spurs will be able to afford as RJ's replacement. Not only that but they lose a 15 mill expiring trade chip. Only a clueless dumbass would be rejoicing over this news.

[koriwhat]

so how does this actually work? i'm no number cruncher or FO personnel.

so he opts out which leaves 15m? but we can't spend that? i don't get it. i understand the whole trade bait thing but not the whole opting-out thing.

[ohmwrecker]

i cannot believe how much bullshit is coming off you guys' keyboards after the season Jefferson just put up. now everyone's suddenly on the bandwagon!? ST is classic.

You are no economics genius, are you?

[Kori Ellis]

This is bad for the Spurs. Now they have no SF - and still no money to spend.

[Cane]

Could this possibly mean that the Spurs have a S&T deal in the works for RJ? Hopefully the Spurs didn't just get screwed otherwise.

[Dex]

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/4351/jimface.gif

[Samr]

i cannot believe how much bullshit is coming off you guys' keyboards after the season Jefferson just put up. now everyone's suddenly on the bandwagon!? ST is classic.

Not on the bandwagon; for the Spurs, RJ was not a good fit. Still a good player, just a square peg.

But realistically, his contract was a huge trade chip. Teams falling out of contention at the deadline will want cap relief, and the Spurs would be happy to give it to them, by way of trading RJ, in Feb in exchange for a few good, cheaper, up-and-coming players. THAT is where is value was to us as fans, not in the stats he put up, or in the defense he played.

Like someone said earlier, I think the Spurs still have bird rights (I think?), so doing a sign and trade could still happen. But, it isn't as sure thing as it is if RJ stayed and we moved him at the deadline.

That being said, a lot of teams are going to have a lot of extra cap space after the dust settles, and a lot of teams are going to be happy to overpay for an athletic SF square peg in a team they view as having square holes. Spurs, hopefully, will benefit from that, and leverage as S&T.

But the chances of a good outcome for the Spurs is dwindling.

[Jamtas#2]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/spurs_jefferson_opts_out_of_contract_97529699.html

In a surprise move, Richard Jefferson has informed the Spurs that he intends to opt out of the final season of his contract and will become a free agent at midnight eastern time.
Jefferson was due to make $15 million next year. Opting out gives him the freedom to negotiate a long-term deal, in advance of a new collective bargaining agreement next season.

The move will move the Spurs below the luxury tax line, but not the projected salary cap. It does not necessarily mean the Jefferson era in San Antonio is over.

Jefferson, who arrived in a trade with Milwaukee last offseason, never quite reached expectations in San Antonio. He averaged 12.3 points and 4.4 rebounds in his first — and perhaps, only — season with the Spurs.

[ducks]

so how does this actually work? i'm no number cruncher or FO personnel.

so he opts out which leaves 15m? but we can't spend that? i don't get it. i understand the whole trade bait thing but not the whole opting-out thing.

spurs are OVER THE CAP
if spurs were UNDER THE CAP 15 million now IT WOULD BE GREAT

[BadMotorscooter]

Do some people not get it? He was a HUGE tradeable asset at the trade deadline and now we get nothing. We could have landed a great player for his contract in February. But now we cant. Didnt people see teams making firesales to free up space this year. The same will happen next year too. Its not like it is a bad free agency class.

[Creation88]

Hey fucktard, Spurs are over the cap, how the FUCK do they replace him and with what?!!?

how do you figure!? that's $15m off the books. we just go right back into the luxury tax with another player.

[TimmehC]

This could still be a good thing... if he agrees to take less money per year, but for more years to stay in SA, we aren't screwed. Or, if we could sign and trade him.

[Sii]

either way Jefferson clearly doesnt want to be here

who wants that dumbfuck on this team poisoning things?

Why would anyone thing he was going to grow some balls and magically be better next year?

I dont want people here who dont want to be here

Roger Mason Jr can join that club too

[Seventyniner]

OMGWTFBBQ

Is it possible he wants something like a 4-year/$32M contract? The Spurs could give him that; they still have his Bird rights. Noone is going to pay RJ anywhere near $15M next season.

I'm starting to think more and more that players are really scared of next summer and are trying to lock up long contracts now. Basically everyone is opting out (Dirk, Pierce, Amare', etc), and it's probably because the new CBA is going to cut player salaries drastically, but existing deals will probably be grandfathered in. That's the only explanation I can think of.

[Kori Ellis]

how do you figure!? that's $15m off the books. we just go right back into the luxury tax with another player.

That's not how it works. The Spurs only have the MLE and LLE (and minimum contracts) to spend. They don't get any more money to spend with RJ opting out.

[Creation88]

tradeable? who the fuck would want Jefferson? am i the only person that watched him last season?

[TDMVPDPOY]

him optin out is a smart move

reason being, if all the top FAs sign onto one team, that leaves 2-3 teams that have money to sign him or stay pat for another season for the 2011 FA class....

[SpursTillTheEnd]

wow yall people are stupid all i hear is we have no sf, in case yall forgot we have a great player on the bench who can play sf HARISTON>RJ

[ChuckD]

Hey fucktard, Spurs are over the cap, how the FUCK do they replace him and with what?!!?

Use a little imagination. Trade Dice to WASH for Mike Miller, and re-sign Ian with his Bird rights, or S&T Ian for a SF.

[EricB]

how do you figure!? that's $15m off the books. we just go right back into the luxury tax with another player.


Thats not how the CBA works you fucktard....

[BadMotorscooter]

how do you figure!? that's $15m off the books. we just go right back into the luxury tax with another player.

You're looking bad right now. Just because 15 came off the books doesnt mean we have 15 to spend. And we cant go sign a player for a lot of money and say hell with the salary cap. If that was the case. New York would sign LeBron, Wade, Amare, Bosh, and Dirk.

[4>0rings]

*Saving this thread for future reference*

[Mel_13]

Do you believe the Spurs may re-sign him for something like $21 million 3 year?

Spurs have 2 options, re-sign RJ with the Bird Rights or go with 2 players at SF, one with LLE and other with minimum salary

Or do a S&T with the team that wants to sign him. I very much doubt that the Spurs would sign him to a new deal. You also have to think that RJ must expect to get more than 3/21 if he gave up 15M guaranteed.

[FkLA]

THIS . . . is exactly why he opted out. He was made the scapegoat for a disappointing season. Nice going, assholes. Spurs fans suck.

Nah I gave Dick alot more breaks than most fans did this past season, was even looking forward to him making improvements in his 2nd year...ala Brent Barry. Him opting out royally screws the Spurs though, thats what Im most upset about.

[Shastafarian]

Hey fucktard, Spurs are over the cap, how the FUCK do they replace him and with what?!!?

Him opting out puts them under the cap. But that's bad because now they can't use the MLE.

[TimmehC]

wow yall people are stupid all i hear is we have no sf, in case yall forgot we have a great player on the bench who can play sf HARISTON>RJ

Do you even WATCH basketball?

[peacemaker885]

That's not how it works. The Spurs only have the MLE and LLE (and minimum contracts) to spend. They don't get any more money to spend with RJ opting out.

This. Just when things were going our way....

[EricB]

Whatever team that wants him or gets him won't have sh*t in return.


Jefferson fucked the Spurs HARDCORE.

The Spurs summer plans just went to shit immediately....

[TheProfessor]

:lol at people being happy about this. Seriously, get a clue.

As for RJ - I can't blame the guy. He was unhappy here and I'm sure he knows he's leaving serious money on the table to find a system he'll work better in. Sucks for us, but so it goes.

[Kori Ellis]

Him opting out puts them under the cap. But that's bad because now they can't use the MLE.

I don't think it puts them under the cap. I think it's close, but I didn't look at the numbers.

[Shastafarian]

Mel_13 will correct me if I'm wrong but now the Spurs can't use the MLE or LLE. Basically they can re-sign Jefferson/S&T him or only have $3-$5 million to use.

[Spurs Brazil]

This is bad for the Spurs. Now they have no SF - and still no money to spend.

Kori, do you see Spurs re-sign him with his Birds Rights since there's no better option with the money they have to spend?

[Dro210]

Wow, some of you people are unbelievably stupid... really, it's just mind-boggling how fuckin dumb yall are.

This is horrible.... Pray that we can work a S&T.

Fuck you Jefferson

[ohmwrecker]

This thread is really separating the wheat from the chaff.

[cd98]

Jefferson opted out for financial reasons. He can get more money, even if he makes less per year. Spurs will probably try to re-sign him, if not, hopefully they can do a sign and trade, but how will they get a quality small forward in return. They won't.

This is bad news for the Spurs unless they can resign him.

[EricB]

Him opting out puts them under the cap. But that's bad because now they can't use the MLE.


Under the luxury tax NOT the salary cap.

None the less, Whether Jefferson sucked or not, he was a starting small forward. Now they have JACK SHIT for a starting small forward...

[TDMVPDPOY]

now that leaves us with a hole at SF? lame

[Ditty]

spurs are at 52 million with rj's contract off the books with 8 players under contract the salaray cap is around 57-58 million unless spurs poke someones eye with gee and haiston in a trade then we aint going over the cap and will be the old cheap spurs that dont spend i guess holt will be happy

[clubalien]

I hope this means a sign & trade is going to happen.

this probably confirms the Paul George rumors

[Kori Ellis]

Jefferson opted out for financial reasons. He can get more money, even if he makes less per year. Spurs will probably try to re-sign him, if not, hopefully they can do a sign and trade, but how will they get a quality small forward in return. They won't.

This is bad news for the Spurs unless they can resign him.

I'm not sure that the Spurs will try to re-sign him. I'm not sure he was a 'fit' here - basketball wise or otherwise. But maybe.

[Spurs Brazil]

Or do a S&T with the team that wants to sign him. I very much doubt that the Spurs would sign him to a new deal. You also have to think that RJ must expect to get more than 3/21 if he gave up 15M guaranteed.

Do you see a team willing to pay more than MLE for him?

[texasqb2]

You still get the MLE if him opting out puts us under the cap, which it does. As logn as you over the salary cap at the BEGINNING of the offseason, you get the MLE.

[Shastafarian]

Under the luxury tax NOT the salary cap.

None the less, Whether Jefferson sucked or not, he was a starting small forward. Now they have JACK SHIT for a starting small forward...

False. Under the cap.

[SpursTillTheEnd]

yea baby im bout to go sip some thank god rj is gone malik this is ytour year baby fuck yea go spurs

[DJB]

hey fucktard, spurs are over the cap, how the fuck do they replace him and with what?!!?

+100

[EricB]

I can't see the Spurs giving him a LT deal.

MAYBE MAYBE 2 years 20 million.

MAYBE.

That I'd put at 2%.

The S&T would be a lucky break but no way they get a starting quality small forward in return.

good god.

[Shastafarian]

You still get the MLE if him opting out puts us under the cap, which it does. As logn as you over the salary cap at the BEGINNING of the offseason, you get the MLE.

Nope. The off-season hasn't officially begun yet. No MLE or LLE.

[ducks]

I don't think it puts them under the cap. I think it's close, but I didn't look at the numbers.

they are under the tax but not salary cap

[Spursfan 87]

Fuck, this is bad news!

We have no money to sign a replacement

[Kori Ellis]

False. Under the cap.

Did you count the place holders and everything?

[Creation88]

look Richard Jefferson was a POS. his contract was inflated and the idea that he was a huge trade asset is a fucking pipe dream if i've ever heard of one. this team is better without him and his contract even if we can't get another player to fill his spot.

mid-year trades never work out anyway. i'd rather get Jefferson outta here now.

[Shastafarian]

Did you count the place holders and everything?

ooooo no I didn't. It's gonna be REALLY close. We need capologists in here!

[angelbelow]

Could this possibly mean that the Spurs have a S&T deal in the works for RJ? Hopefully the Spurs didn't just get screwed otherwise.

lets hope so

[BadMotorscooter]

look Richard Jefferson was a POS. his contract was inflated and the idea that he was a huge trade asset is a fucking pipe dream if i've ever heard of one. this team is better without him and his contract even if we can't get another player to fill his spot.

mid-year trades never work out anyway. i'd rather get Jefferson outta here now.


Go ask the Lakers if a mid season trade for Gasol worked out for them.

[EricB]

look Richard Jefferson was a POS. his contract was inflated and the idea that he was a huge trade asset is a fucking pipe dream if i've ever heard of one. this team is better without him and his contract even if we can't get another player to fill his spot.

mid-year trades never work out anyway. i'd rather get Jefferson outta here now.


Yeah starting Malik Hairston at small forward is really a plan for winning.

Get the fuck out of here.

[Shastafarian]

We'll say this:

If it puts them under the cap, they're screwed.

[chazley]

First, he walks out on his fiancee, now he does the same to the Spurs.

[Kori Ellis]

ooooo no I didn't. It's gonna be REALLY close. We need capologists in here!

Yeah - it's super close. I still think they are over.

[texasqb2]

Nope. The off-season hasn't officially begun yet. No MLE or LLE.

That I don't know. When does the offseason start? After a champion is crowned or July 1st? I don't believe him opting out is official til the offseason begins anyway.

[TDMVPDPOY]

since his opting out, we at 52m without splitter

does that mean we can sign splitter up what is leftover under the cap > MLE VALUE

then use the MLE on some FA?

[texasqb2]

The salary cap hasn't been set, so how would we know if we are over/under?

[slick'81]

wtf spurs are fucked for sure no trade value now and i think spurs are still over the cap?!?horrible start to fa for sa :bang

[Spurs Brazil]

Christmas morning in Spurs front office with Richard Jefferson opting out of $15 million. Incredible.
2 minutes ago via UberTwitter
http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA

[mingus]

so this affects whether or not the Spurs will be able to sign Splitter as well? obviously, i know nothing about how the NBA economy works.

but besides that, this sucks for a couple reasons:
1. he's not tradeable by the deadline, which otherwise would have yielded us players
2. we have no starting SF, as if having a back up wasn't BAD ENOUGH.
3. we're basically at where we were before last year. who's going to produce enough outside the big 3 to let Manu and Tim stay healthy before the playoffs.
4. this puts SERIOUS pressure on guys like Hill and Splitter to play very, very well. not sure if they're ready for that.

[Mel_13]

Spurs player sighting of the evening.

We're season ticket holders and my son won a door prize at the Draft Party last week. It was for VIP access at the FIBA-Americas U18 tourney finals here in San Antonio. I sent him a message about RJ just as they were moving him to the VIP area at center court. The Bronze Medal game between Argentina and Canada is going on now, so Manu is there and my son gets seated right in front of him. So, he asks Manu to sign his cap and tells him about RJ. He says Manu was absolutely incredulous.

[EricB]

We'll say this:

If it puts them under the cap, they're screwed.


Either way.

But if its under? Yeah even more so screwed.

There is no SF out there to replace him, no capspace to even sign one.

This is a friggen nightmare...

[thekingrobert]

best news of the year

[TheProfessor]

So why does Woj think the Spurs' FO is so happy? Just for the financial implications?

[Creation88]

Yeah starting Malik Hairston at small forward is really a plan for winning.

Get the fuck out of here.

hey you fucking idiot. Richard Jefferson played 80% of the season at PF anyway. get your fucking facts straight, dipshit.

[Shastafarian]

Yeah - it's super close. I still think they are over.

I wish I knew how to calculate all this shit.

[Crazymaddopeyo]

WojYahooNBA (http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA)

Christmas morning in Spurs front office with Richard Jefferson opting out of $15 million. Incredible.

[mattyc]

What's Robert Horry doing these days?

[TheProfessor]

I wish I knew how to calculate all this shit.
Where's coyotes_geek when you need him?

[EricB]

WTF

how can it be christmas morning!?!?!?!?!?!?

Maybe for the owners if they didnt want to spend luxury tax anymore.


:pctoss


God.....

[Nazrat]

Does Anderson get time at the 3 position now?

[TimmehC]

You still get the MLE if him opting out puts us under the cap, which it does. As logn as you over the salary cap at the BEGINNING of the offseason, you get the MLE.

Offseason begins tomorrow, not today.

[ChuckD]

We'll say this:

If it puts them under the cap, they're screwed.

No, if they drop under the cap by LESS than the MLE, they still get the MLE, PLUS whatever cap room is there. Dropping under by $1 doesn't blow away your exceptions. Each exception goes away as you drop THAT much under the cap.

Hoopshype's salary page puts them about $52M minus Jefferson. If the cap stays the same or drops a bit, they should still have the MLE plus a couple mil of cap room.

[timvp]

I'm actually not that surprised. Yesterday I posted this when ESPN prematurely listed RJ as not opting out:


I heard a rumor that RJ was thinking about opting out to sign a 4-year, $35-40 million deal with the Nets ... but obviously that didn't pan out.

Welcome back, RJ :shootme

The rumor was from a good source and I hadn't heard anything different. That'll teach me to listen to ESPN . . .

Anyways, I think it's the right move for Jefferson.

1) I don't think he liked his role with the Spurs. He tried to talk as if it didn't bother him but the fit was just horrible.

2) From the rumor I heard, the Nets are really hot on his trail. Truth is, RJ never wanted to leave New Jersey. With a win-now coach in Avery Johnson in place, the Nets could sign Jefferson and someone like Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer or David Lee (or even Chris Bosh) and have an impressive starting lineup of Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Richard Jefferson, Big Name Power Forward and Brook Lopez.

3) With the CBA expiring, RJ would be smart to cash in this summer rather than risk it and go into next summer's unknown.

4) Another year in the Spurs' system would lower his stock a lot. He'd be a year older and I don't think he'd really see his stats improve. If anything, I think he'd get worse with Parker and hopefully Splitter eating up more shots. Right now, his stock is down but not horribly down. Other teams could justify his bad season as an adjustment to a difficult system to learn.

5) He's proven to be durable the last few years but with an ankle surgery in the past and back problems last year, RJ would be playing with fire by trying to get through another 82 games before inking his last deal.

6) There is an unprecedented amount of money for free agents this year. A feeding frenzy is about to take place the likes the NBA has never seen. RJ won't be a prime target but he's a solid fallback plan. For a contender, would you rather roll the dice on an enigmatic player like Rudy Gay or a more sure-thing like Richard Jefferson? When it's all said and done, I think RJ gets that four-year, $35-40 million deal I was hearing rumors about.

[Seventyniner]

I wish I knew how to calculate all this shit.

If I remember right, then if a team is under the cap by less than the amount of the MLE, they get the MLE instead of their cap space. This would be to prevent teams just under the cap from being punished for being under (vis a vis teams that are over). I could very well be wrong, though.

[tdunk21]

15 mil off of 67 mil payroll.....so thats 52mil and i dont know if there are any cap holds.....

[Shastafarian]

Where's coyotes_geek when you need him?

Definitely scrambling to jot down something that will make us all look dumb.

[TimmehC]

Does Anderson get time at the 3 position now?

Spurs don't really have any choice in the matter, if they can't find a replacement for cheap.

[dc_spursfan]

I'm happy RJ is gone but upset at him opting out. Now the Spurs lose a great trade asset and don't have the money to find a decent replacement SF.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Merry Christmas you get rid of the bitch.

[SenorSpur]

Attn K-Mart shoppers:

Blue light special over at the SF free agent bin.

[TDMVPDPOY]

shouldve traded for jax last season then this jackass wanker

[Seventyniner]

2) From the rumor I heard, the Nets are really hot on his trail. Truth is, RJ never wanted to leave New Jersey. With Avery Johnson as coach, the Nets could sign Jefferson and someone like Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer or David Lee (or even Chris Bosh) and have an impressive starting lineup of Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Richard Jefferson, Big Name Power Forward and Brook Lopez.

3) With the CBA expiring, RJ would be smart to cash in this summer rather than risk it and go into next summer's unknown.

Agreed on #3.

As for #2, would NJ be willing to let us sign-and-trade RJ, giving us a trade exception? That would go a long way towards fixing the roster.

[slick'81]

Man, out of all the times for Shamsports to be down.

For the record we are not under the cap with RJ opting out.

thats what i figured this doesnt help at all rj screwed the spurs big time we lost our major trade piece

[Mel_13]

Relax everyone.

Spurs will still have the MLE and the LLE.

[TheProfessor]

Definitely scrambling to jot down something that will make us all look dumb.
:rollin

[Kori Ellis]

15 mil off of 67 mil payroll.....so thats 52mil and i dont know if there are any cap holds.....

You need to add cap holds to fill out the 12-man roster.

[Dr Cox]

so can we still sign and trade him? if so get rudy gay right now ..

[tdunk21]

Wait, that's my bad. Here you go:

http://blog.shamsports.com/2010/06/amount-of-cap-room-teams-will-actually_19.html#comment-form

Just scroll down to the Spurs part.

wow RJ fucked us bad by opting out

[Seventyniner]

Wait, that's my bad. Here you go:

http://blog.shamsports.com/2010/06/amount-of-cap-room-teams-will-actually_19.html#comment-form

Just scroll down to the Spurs part.

Great find! This means even with Splitter and the LLE, the Spurs should stay under the tax.

[ducks]

he likes new jersey would he do a sign and trade there

[FkLA]

Correct me if im wrong but you dont neccesarily have to be over the cap to get the MLE, I believe there's like a limit...like 2-3 mill or something. So if say the cap is 58 mill as long as the Spurs are like at 56 mill they still get the MLE although they do lose the LLE. Also you can sign a player with your cap-room the first few days and once youre at the cap you'll get the MLE.

Still horrible news but it wont be doomsday if the Spurs are indeed below the cap with this move.

[Spurs Brazil]

I'm actually not that surprised. Yesterday I posted this when ESPN prematurely listed RJ as not opting out:



The rumor was from a good source and I hadn't heard anything different. That'll teach me to listen to ESPN . . .

Anyways, I think it's the right move for Jefferson.

1) I don't think he liked his role with the Spurs. He tried to talk as if it didn't bother him but the fit was just horrible.

2) From the rumor I heard, the Nets are really hot on his trail. Truth is, RJ never wanted to leave New Jersey. With a win-now coach in Avery Johnson in place, the Nets could sign Jefferson and someone like Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer or David Lee (or even Chris Bosh) and have an impressive starting lineup of Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Richard Jefferson, Big Name Power Forward and Brook Lopez.

3) With the CBA expiring, RJ would be smart to cash in this summer rather than risk it and go into next summer's unknown.

4) Another year in the Spurs' system would lower his stock a lot. He'd be a year older and I don't think he'd really see his stats improve. If anything, I think he'd get worse with Parker and hopefully Splitter eating up more shots. Right now, his stock is down but not horribly down. Other teams could justify his bad season as an adjustment to a difficult system to learn.

5) He's proven to be durable the last few years but with an ankle surgery in the past and back problems last year, RJ would be playing with fire by trying to get through another 82 games before inking his last deal.

6) There is an unprecedented amount of money for free agents this year. A feeding frenzy is about to take place the likes the NBA has never seen. RJ won't be a prime target but he's a solid fallback plan. For a contender, would you rather roll the dice on an enigmatic player like Rudy Gay or a more sure-thing like Richard Jefferson? When it's all said and done, I think RJ gets that four-year, $35-40 million deal I was hearing rumors about.

And for the Spurs timvp? Who do you think they'll target now?

[timvp]

The best news to me about this is the Spurs won't have to dump Tony Parker if Holt tells the front office that he doesn't want to pay lux tax.

[TDMVPDPOY]

this is even more bad news if we resign mason just to replace RJ departure?

[Basileus777]

The Nets don't have any interest in RJ, stop dreaming. We dumped him for Yi (garbage) and expirings when he was still a decent player.

[EricB]

Relax everyone.

Spurs will still have the MLE and the LLE.


Full MLE goes to Splitter, MAYBe, then what?

[clubalien]

I don't think it puts them under the cap. I think it's close, but I didn't look at the numbers.

hmm may I ask if you have a source that is confirming the salary cap or are you just using the projected the cap of 56 million.

The cap isn't released until July. If you do have the number it is nice that we have insider info on this board.

[JamStone]

Spurs do get under the cap, but not more than the the value of the MLE so they still only have the MLE to spend at the most.

Hurts the Spurs in two regards: 1) lose a small forward they can't replace in terms of finding a similar caliber of player based on (financial) value and 2) as several have mentioned, they lose Jefferson's expiring contract as a trade chip mid-season.

It wasn't a good thing financial. Probably a good thing in terms of the product on the court.

Jefferson probably sees what Paul Pierce saw in the potential looming changes of the CBA and wants to get a few more years of security as opposed to having to settle for MLE type of money or less when he's a free agent next year. However, the problem with Jefferson is what teams really value him very highly? He may just be pressing the Spurs into re-signing him for a couple additional years since they still have no money to spend.

Best approach I think is to just let him walk, don't even worry about a sign-and-trade, and hope a couple of the lesser free agents don't get much interest and sign a guy like Mike Miller or Travis Outlaw to the MLE.

[Sausage]

Woo

[BadMotorscooter]

If I'm the Spurs front office...I am on the phone with Raja Bell right now before he signs with the Lakers.

[mingus]

i think the people that are happy about this from a team prespective assume that change = progress.

[Penya]

STEIN_LINE_HQ

1987: Spurs win David Robinson lottery. 1997: Spurs win Duncan lottery. 2010: Spurs win lotto again w/R. Jefferson opting out of $15.2 mil

[Creation88]

The best news to me about this is the Spurs won't have to dump Tony Parker if Holt tells the front office that he doesn't want to pay lux tax.

[EricB]

Spurs do get under the cap, but not more than the the value of the MLE so they still only have the MLE to spend at the most.

Hurts the Spurs in two regards: 1) lose a small forward they can't replace in terms of finding a similar caliber of player based on (financial) value and 2) as several have mentioned, they lose Jefferson's expiring contract as a trade chip mid-season.

It wasn't a good thing financial. Probably a good thing in terms of the product on the court.

Jefferson probably sees what Paul Pierce saw in the potential looming changes of the CBA and wants to get a few more years of security as opposed to having to settle for MLE type of money or less when he's a free agent next year. However, the problem with Jefferson is what teams really value him very highly? He may just be pressing the Spurs into re-signing him for a couple additional years since they still have no money to spend.

Best approach I think is to just let him walk, don't even worry about a sign-and-trade, and hope a couple of the lesser free agents don't get much interest and sign a guy like Mike Miller or Travis Outlaw to the MLE.


The Spurs need that money for Tiago Splitter.....

[SenorSpur]

Unexpected, but I can understand why he did it.

He can go back to NJ and collect another 3-4 year contract at near max dollars. Or perhaps the Knicks will come calling. Either way, you can bet he wouldn't have opted out if he didn't have some assurances that another club was waiting in the wings.

As others have stated, the downside for the Spurs is they lose a valuable trade chip and have no SF replacement.

[ohmwrecker]

Relax everyone.

Spurs will still have the MLE and the LLE.

Minus a starting SF . . . Splitter gets the MLE aaaaannnnddd we're fucked.

[yavozerb]

If the spurs want to compete this year the TP trade is now looking very good..Replacing RJ with Gay and TP with Hill is not out of the question anymore in my opinion.

[Mel_13]

Full MLE goes to Splitter, MAYBe, then what?

Hope for a S&T with team that signs RJ. If the Spurs can get a good sized trade exception in return they could get a decent player from a team trying to shed salary.

[mattyc]

BBB: Bring Back Bruce.

[ace3g]

WojYahooNBA

Jefferson must have a new deal in place with Spurs to opt-out. Or elsewhere. He can't be blindly doing it.

[Creation88]

stop bringin up the SF BS. RJ didnt even play SF last season.

[Spurs Brazil]

WojYahooNBA
Jefferson must have a new deal in place with Spurs to opt-out. Or elsewhere. He can't be blindly doing it.
2 minutes ago via UberTwitter

[Libri]

Jefferson must have a new deal in place with Spurs to opt-out. Or elsewhere. He can't be blindly doing it.

http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA

[Kori Ellis]

Bring back Bruce Bowen for the minimum :)

[4>0rings]

Why can't the Spurs go into the luxury tax again?

[ChuckD]

The best news to me about this is the Spurs won't have to dump Tony Parker if Holt tells the front office that he doesn't want to pay lux tax.

They might even extend him now. :)

[redzero]

What a fucking moron. His ass isn't getting anything close to what he already had.

[ducks]

Spurs do get under the cap, but not more than the the value of the MLE so they still only have the MLE to spend at the most.

Hurts the Spurs in two regards: 1) lose a small forward they can't replace in terms of finding a similar caliber of player based on (financial) value and 2) as several have mentioned, they lose Jefferson's expiring contract as a trade chip mid-season.

It wasn't a good thing financial. Probably a good thing in terms of the product on the court.

Jefferson probably sees what Paul Pierce saw in the potential looming changes of the CBA and wants to get a few more years of security as opposed to having to settle for MLE type of money or less when he's a free agent next year. However, the problem with Jefferson is what teams really value him very highly? He may just be pressing the Spurs into re-signing him for a couple additional years since they still have no money to spend.

Best approach I think is to just let him walk, don't even worry about a sign-and-trade, and hope a couple of the lesser free agents don't get much interest and sign a guy like Mike Miller or Travis Outlaw to the MLE.

problem is splitter is going to eat all the mle

[Juanobili]

wow this is going to be a hell of a summer

[texasqb2]

I feel like this is a good thing for some reason, just don't know why. If Adrian Wojnarowski thinks its good and I just feel like the Spurs have something up their sleeve b/c RJ is not just going to give up $15 million. What's the best contract you think RJ could get on the open market? 4yrs for 32 million? I feel like next year he could get a better contract than 3 for 17 million.

[Das Texan]

Sign and trade Dick for something useful!

[ohmwrecker]

stop bringin up the SF BS. RJ didnt even play SF last season.

You have got to be the dumbest motherfucker on the planet.

[timvp]

And for the Spurs timvp? Who do you think they'll target now?

That's a good question :lol

I had considered RJ opting out ... but only from RJ's perspective. I'm gonna have to wrap my head around this situation and answer this question a little later.

My first reaction is losing RJ isn't a disaster. I kinda like it, actually. He was such a got damn bad fit it was comical at times.

The question now is whether the Spurs can find a championship-caliber stop gap at small forward.

[bigdog]

WTF. Wow, I wasn't expecting this at all. Free agency hasn't even started and this happens.

[SenorSpur]

Bring back Bruce Bowen for the minimum :)

or Finley :lol

[JamStone]

The Spurs need that money for Tiago Splitter.....

Wow, totally forgot about Splitter.

"Smokey" Josh Howard for the LLE once Washington doesn't pick up his option! :lol

[TE]

this is good in a way, we can allow players who actually have upside to suit up and play that SF position. Jefferson was a shit blob who was on fire every 1 out of 10 games. Fuck him..

and to make things worse, the bitch couldn't play defensive, was a shell of himself athletically, and literally made a whole acre full of house with all the brickery he threw this season.







problematic is, who do the Spurs have that they can bring in?

[EricB]

Im flabbergasted at the amount of smart NBA writers painting this as a good thing for the Spurs...

[Mel_13]

or Finley :lol

:nope

[samikeyp]

Ok...I am not a capologist nor do i play one on the radio or the interwebs...can someone explain for those of us who are cap-challenged why its not good for SA? I saw that he opted out so it looked like the Spurs were not on the hook for his $15mil...was it that the $15mil put SA over the cap and now its even?

Cap Confused in Lansing.

:)

[mingus]

Bring back Bruce Bowen for the minimum :)


i'm all for this.

[ohmwrecker]

The question now is whether the Spurs can find a championship-caliber stop gap at small forward.

For the LLE? Are you serious? And a backup?

[Spurs Brazil]

or Finley :lol

DAMN, if Pop or R.C read this they will do it :lol

[Shastafarian]

Has the cap even been officially set yet? Are the Spurs 100% out of the woods? What happens if somehow they go under the cap by $4 million? They can either use that $4 million or the MLE right? Would they also get the LLE?

[Libri]

Bring back Bruce Bowen for the minimum :)

Go Bruce!!

[timvp]

WojYahooNBA

Jefferson must have a new deal in place with Spurs to opt-out. Or elsewhere. He can't be blindly doing it.

Would the Nets really promise him money before they try to land LeBron, etc?

It doesn't make sense ... then again, it's the Nets.

[yavozerb]

Quick, trade RJ before midnight to the knicks for chandler+curry..:lol

[SenorSpur]

:nope

Believe me, I was kidding. Don't tell Pop. He may just make that phone call.

[EricB]

That's a good question :lol

I had considered RJ opting out ... but only from RJ's perspective. I'm gonna have to wrap my head around this situation and answer this question a little later.

My first reaction is losing RJ isn't a disaster. I kinda like it, actually. He was such a got damn bad fit it was comical at times.

The question now is whether the Spurs can find a championship-caliber stop gap at small forward.


Splitter taking the full MLE makes it even worse.

They are gonna have to BEG someone like Matt Barnes to take the LLE.


With zero tradable assets to get a SF, the Spurs really are screwed...

[Nazrat]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft/results/players/_/id/19226/james-anderson

James Anderson


ProjectionMid to late first roundPositives

Scoring wing man
NBA body and long arms
Slasher who knows how to get to the line
Solid shooter with NBA 3-point range
Good rebounder for a guard

Negatives

A bit one-dimensional as a scorer
Not an elite athlete
Needs to improve his ball handling
A so-so passer

This sounds like RJ's replacement to me.

[Shastafarian]

Would the Nets really promise him money before they try to land LeBron, etc?

It doesn't make sense ... then again, it's the Nets.

It would also be the most delicious tampering ever.

[JamStone]

James Jones for the LLE?

[TDMVPDPOY]

lol if we didnt extend manu....

wouldve landed lebron!!!!

[Kori Ellis]

Ok...I am not a capologist nor do i play one on the radio or the interwebs...can someone explain for those of us who are cap-challenged why its not good for SA? I saw that he opted out so it looked like the Spurs were not on the hook for his $15mil...was it that the $15mil put SA over the cap and now its even?

Cap Confused in Lansing.

:)

Basically the $15million off the books only saves Holt money. It doesn't give the Spurs anymore working room. They are either still over the cap, or barely under it (depending on the cap number). So they still just have the MLE and LLE to spend (plus minimum contracts). And now they don't have a SF. I guess they could sign and trade RJ, and get something back. Otherwise, they are going to (probably) give Splitter the whole MLE, and then have to find a SF for the LLE.

[EricB]

Has the cap even been officially set yet? Are the Spurs 100% out of the woods? What happens if somehow they go under the cap by $4 million? They can either use that $4 million or the MLE right? Would they also get the LLE?


Once you go under the cap you LOSE the MLE.

[SenorSpur]

For the LLE? Are you serious? And a backup?

Matt,

It's R.C. Buford on Line 1.

[Stump]

Would the Nets really promise him money before they try to land LeBron, etc?

It doesn't make sense ... then again, it's the Nets.
Wouldn't that qualify as tampering?

[ChuckD]

Im flabbergasted at the amount of smart NBA writers painting this as a good thing for the Spurs...

If this turns out well, will you not post for a year?

[clubalien]

I'm actually not that surprised. Yesterday I posted this when ESPN prematurely listed RJ as not opting out:

the Nets are really hot on his trail.

do the spurs threaten to charge tampering charges unless they trade harris and future first round pick to spurs.

They aren;t allowed to purse a signed player

[ChuckD]

once you go under the cap by at least the amount of the mle you lose the mle.

fify

[SenorSpur]

Basically the $15million off the books only saves Holt money. It doesn't give the Spurs anymore working room. They are either still over the cap, or barely under it (depending on the cap number). So they still just have the MLE and LLE to spend (plus minimum contracts). And now they don't have a SF. I guess they could sign and trade RJ, and get something back. Otherwise, they are going to (probably) give Splitter the whole MLE, and then have to find a SF for the LLE.

Any chance on a S&T with RJ?

[ohmwrecker]

Matt,

It's R.C. Buford on Line 1.

Stop trying to make me laugh.

[yavozerb]

At least the one thing the spurs can promise along with the lle is lots of PT and possibly the a starting gig at SF...

[Nazrat]

@johnhollinger (http://twitter.com/johnhollinger) Will Jefferson make $15.2 million the rest of his career?

[Mel_13]

Once you go under the cap you LOSE the MLE.

Only if you under by more than the value of the MLE. The Spurs will have the MLE.

[FkLA]

Ok...I am not a capologist nor do i play one on the radio or the interwebs...can someone explain for those of us who are cap-challenged why its not good for SA? I saw that he opted out so it looked like the Spurs were not on the hook for his $15mil...was it that the $15mil put SA over the cap and now its even?

Cap Confused in Lansing.

:)

If say the Spurs were right at the cap and RJ opted out leaving 15 mill in money to spend than this would be great news. But theyre not, they were in luxury tax territory meaning even subtracting the 15 mill the Spurs will still be over the cap or at best only be a couple of mill under the cap. You cant sign FAs from other teams if youre over the cap, only youre own FA's assuming you have bird rights.

[TDMVPDPOY]

we are now under the cap

can sign n trade parker for max player like bosh, lebron or whoever right?

man if only we didnt resign manu...thats another what +10m save from the cap

[Thompson]

So when will we know if Jefferson is re-signing with the Spurs for more years (unlikely, I know, but possible)? Can it be done tonight after 12?

If he doesn't re-sign with us and we can't pull a sign-and-trade, we're screwed. George Hill (Indiana native and proven player) for Paul George or something, dang.

[texasqb2]

I feel like RJ likes SA more than we thought (He signs a new deal that's more beneficial for Spurs) or he hates SA more than anyone knew (willing to leave $15 million on table to get the F out). I wonder which one it is....

[Spurs Brazil]

Would the Nets really promise him money before they try to land LeBron, etc?

It doesn't make sense ... then again, it's the Nets.

Maybe he really has some kind of deal with the Spurs.

Spurs would save money next season but will give RJ a contract like $20 million/3 years

I really don't see any team willing to pay RJ more than MLE

[Mel_13]

Any chance on a S&T with RJ?

I don't see why not.

[EricB]

Matt,

It's R.C. Buford on Line 1.

Matt Barnes would hang up the phone laughing at 1.8 r u kidding me?!

[Juanobili]

someone who knows wtf theyre talking about please make a thread explaining this situation lol

[samikeyp]

If say the Spurs were right at the cap and RJ opted out leaving 15 mill in money to spend than this would be great news. But theyre not, they were in luxury tax territory meaning even subtracting the 15 mill the Spurs will still be over the cap or at best only be a couple of mill under the cap. You cant sign FAs from other teams if youre over the cap, only youre own FA's assuming you have bird rights.

Thanks. :toast

[SenorSpur]

It would also be the most delicious tampering ever.

Tampering is running rampant across the NBA. Problem is how do you prove it?

[Mel_13]

The Twitterverse is having fun with this:

Hey, maybe the Grizzlies made Ronnie Brewer unrestricted to get cap space in order to offer Richard Jefferson the max.

http://twitter.com/hoopshype

[timvp]

Wouldn't that qualify as tampering?

Agents have a crafty way of talking in hypotheticals. No way RJ blindly leaves $15 million on the table.

[Kori Ellis]

Matt Barnes has already turned the Spurs down in years past, will they actually try for him again?

[Blackjack]

Spurs still have full Bird Rights and can do a S&T with RJ.

http://www.guzer.com/pictures/boy_dog_pray.jpg

[EricB]

I don't see why not.

I can see it, but honestly, any team that gives him that contract, wouldn't they be under the cap enough to just give it to him?

On top of that, the Spurs wouldn't get anything back worth a crap would they!?

[SenorSpur]

Matt Barnes would hang up the phone laughing at 1.8 r u kidding me?!

Funny or not, there will not be very many cheap SF options available.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

The Twitterverse is having fun with this:

Hey, maybe the Grizzlies made Ronnie Brewer unrestricted to get cap space in order to offer Richard Jefferson the max.

http://twitter.com/hoopshype

:lmao

[ChuckD]

Matt Barnes would hang up the phone laughing at 1.8 r u kidding me?!

He made $1.6M last year. Any more negativity?

[BadMotorscooter]

one scenario people arent thinking about....maybe Jefferson is going oversea's. European teams would over pay him ridiculously.

[EricB]

Funny or not, there will not be very many cheap SF options available.

Exactly.

Hence why he would laugh at the LLE.

[TimmehC]

Theoretically, could we go under the cap by slightly LESS than the amount of the MLE by waiving some of the unguaranteed guys, then sign Tiago, and then use the MLE for a free agent? And sign the unguaranteed guys back up immediately after... Is that even possible?

[Libri]

Matt Barnes has already turned the Spurs down in years past, will they actually try for him again?

How much did they offer him last time??

[Spurs Brazil]

Agents have a crafty way of talking in hypotheticals. No way RJ blindly leaves $15 million on the table.

Yes, he must have something already in place. He can't be that dumb

[pad300]

Would the Nets really promise him money before they try to land LeBron, etc?

It doesn't make sense ... then again, it's the Nets.

They can tell him whatever story they want. Any evidence of an actual deal would be tampering before the NBA's FA period...They could leave him dangling in the wind after this and he would have no legal recourse...

[clubalien]

If I remember right, then if a team is under the cap by less than the amount of the MLE, they get the MLE instead of their cap space. This would be to prevent teams just under the cap from being punished for being under (vis a vis teams that are over). I could very well be wrong, though.

that is correct you get the higher of the amounts

and you cannot use LLE two years in a row.

also you can still fill roster with vet mins to people like dirk too

[ohmwrecker]

Looks like I picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue.

[timvp]

Maybe he really has some kind of deal with the Spurs.

Spurs would save money next season but will give RJ a contract like $20 million/3 years

I really don't see any team willing to pay RJ more than MLE

In a scenario where RJ opts out to re-sign with the Spurs, he'd have to be making a lot more than $20 million. That'd basically be like signing a two-year, $5 million extension ... which is way too low for even a bad RJ.

Perhaps the Spurs could have convinced him to sign something like a three-year, $33 million or something like that. But even that doesn't make a world of sense for either side.

[jag]

If this turns out well, will you not post for a year?

What about this do you like? It's not like Eric b is posting nonsensical bs. As of right now, with everything we know, this isn't a good thing for the spurs one year shot at winning.

[EricB]

He made $1.6M last year. Any more negativity?

A free agent bonanza with loads of teams with MLEs and cap space and not many SF options, and Im supposed to believe he's gonna only take a 2 hundred grand upgrade?

[Mel_13]

I can see it, but honestly, any team that gives him that contract, wouldn't they be under the cap enough to just give it to him?

On top of that, the Spurs wouldn't get anything back worth a crap would they!?

A trade exception for the value of his first year salary would be just fine. The Spurs could then trade that for a player on a team looking to shed salary.

[beachwood]

Wow, can't believe this is happening. Last summer I never honestly believed RJ would fit with the team. I just hope this doesn't mess up the Splitter situation. In a weird way I'm kinda of excited about this. The off season just opened up in a big way now. And I have no clue what to expect.

[chazley]

Opting out for Jefferson wouldn't make sense financially unless he got 10 mil/yr for at least 3 years or 8 over 4 years from the Spurs. I honestly think the Spurs have talked to RJ and RJ probably told them he would be fine with a trade. If that was the case, Spurs could've told RJ that they will try and sign and trade him this summer, which would be a win-win for both sides because I think both sides agreed the fit was not good. RJ would get more money long term and we could get someone in return if we sign and trade. Win-Win for both sides.

[Kori Ellis]

How much did they offer him last time??

I'm not sure. It wasn't a money issue - he just didn't want to be in S.A.

[spursfan1000]

Damnnnnnnnnnn this fucking sucks!